Equine Business Management/Riding students participate in riding classes focusing on hunt-seat, dressage and combined training. Each course is individually tailored to the student's competencies for maximum advancement. A unique feature of the riding program is our students' ability to pick their preferred discipline or sample from all three options. A study abroad program to Muenster, Germany is open to students with dressage and jumping skills and offers instruction and testing for the German riding medals.<br><br>Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to: Design a comprehensive health plan that addresses the interaction between nutrition and disease and predicts the needs of different classes of horses, Differentiate the relative merits of sport horses and use that evaluation to determine the most appropriate use for each type of horse, Develop a comprehensive business plan for the management of all aspects of an equine-related business, Evaluate the impact of available resources including environmental resources and regulatory compliance on equine businesses, Apply appropriate ethics as they relate to managing an equine business, its employees and its horses, Evaluate the impact of various international influences on the historical development of the modern equine industry and Develop and implement a training program for a particular horse and evaluate the effectiveness of the training principles on horse and rider.<br><br>Specialized science-based equine classes develop the understanding of the functioning of the horse with study in anatomy, lameness, physiology, sports therapy, genetics, nutrition, diseases and reproduction. Further classes develop the ability to evaluate horses for sport, develop a farm management plan and manage horse shows. Through these equine academic courses, graduates are expected to demonstrate competencies in formulating rations, designing a herd health program, selecting sport horses and developing an equine business plan. Equine students participate in professionally focused educational activities at the Center for Equine Studies in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Students gain experience in all aspects of horse management including health and dental maintenance, nutrition, facilities management, equipment usage, trailering, lunging, ground driving, vaccination and anthelmintic programs. All students participate in the internship program which allows them to work in the equine industry at approved establishments. A sampling of the positions that students have filled upon graduation include instructor/trainer, farm manager, equine advertising account manager, sales representative, insurance agent, horse show personnel, horse/breed association publicist and veterinary assistant. Business courses emphasize the connection between the equine industry and the business world. Students may tailor their degree through the selection of numerous courses in other colleges and schools at JWU.<br><br>The Equine Business Management/Riding program offers an elective 16-credit specialization that enhances and strengthens the qualifications of graduates interested in equine-assisted activities and therapies. This specialization gives students the opportunity to gain additional knowledge and skills in the expanding field of therapeutic riding and equine-assisted learning. Students completing this specialization can pursue careers in therapeutic riding instruction, therapeutic horse management, therapeutic riding program management, and equine-assisted learning and therapy.