Lamar Community College Horse Programs

Overview

In the 1970s, Lamar Community College started offering an associate’s degree in Horse Training and Management.  A group of ranchers came together and saw the need for this education.  Fast forward fifty years and these programs are still going strong.  Today, Lamar Community College offers associate degrees in Horse Training and Management and Equine Business Management.  We truly enjoy working with our students and seeing them excel in the horse industry following graduation!

Career Opportunities

According to the American Horse Council, the horse industry contributes an estimated $122 billion to the US economy and 1.7 million jobs.  Also, 50% of horse owners have an annual income of over $100,000. 

Associate of Applied Science in Equine Business Management

EQB Degree Plan

Equine Business Management is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to successfully place them into the horse industry.  Graduates often pursue employment in the horse nutrition, reproduction, rehabilitation, vet medicine, lessons, and boarding areas. While students improve their horsemanship skills, more emphasis is placed on the business management aspect of the horse industry. Students sharpen their business knowledge and horse skills then complete their degrees with an internship with an horse professional of their choice.

Program graduates will be able to:

1. Describe and apply horse anatomy and physiology, body condition, vital signs, unsoundness, illness, normal preventative healthcare, wound care and nutrition. Students will be able to apply this information to use of rehabilitation equipment and techniques.
2. Understand equine business practices such as creating a business plan with critical success factors and financial information, creating a marketing plan, creating cover letters and resumes as well as be able to communicate fluently with financial advisors.
3. Describe and recognize equine reproduction anatomy, techniques, practices and technologies and make use of foaling skills.
4. Demonstrate advancing horsemanship skills including groundwork, controlling body parts, and completing various types of maneuvers and patterns with various types of horses.
5. Understand and be able to evaluate sale techniques, the impact of personalities on sales, and assist in facilitating a horse sale.
6. Exemplify employable skills such as proper communication, timeliness, a positive attitude, initiative, and cooperation.

Equine Business Management Certificate

EBM Certificate Plan

The Equine Business Management Certificate is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to successfully place them into the horse industry. Although students improve their horsemanship skills, more emphasis is placed on the business management aspect of the horse industry.

Associate of Applied Science in Horse Training & Management

HT&M Degree Plan

The Horse Training & Management program is for those in advanced western riding levels.  It is a sequence of courses designed to effectively combine theory with practical experience. Therefore, students may enter the program only during the fall semester and are expected to progress through the sequence of courses within a two-year period. In addition to satisfying the 15 credits of general education requirements of the A.A.S. degree, students are tasked to “green break” at least three colts and specialize train one additional horse. Finally, after successful completion of their coursework, students must complete an internship with a trainer of their choice to finish their degree.

Program graduates will be able to:

1. Effectively demonstrate proficiency in chores and tasks required for working safely in a barn environment.
2. Illustrate and apply professional employability skills, such as the importance of being timely and providing quality care for animals.
3. Describing and executing the task of saddling a colt.
4. Discuss and exhibit the task of bridling a colt.
5. Produce evidence that they can manage a colt through the processes of walking, trotting and loping.
6. Demonstrate the ability to produce and perform a showmanship pattern with colts, demonstrating groundwork progression.

Fundamental Horse Training Certificate

FHT Certificate Plan

This one-year certificate program is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills needed to train horses.

Starting Colts Certificate

SC Certificate Plan

This one-year certificate program is designed to provide students, through hands-on experience, with the skills and knowledge needed to break colts for riding.

Advanced Horsemanship Certificate

AH Certificate Plan

This two-year certificate program builds upon the skills and knowledge acquired in the Starting Colts certificate program. It combines hands-on experience with a one-semester internship with a professional trainer. Admission to this certificate program requires successful completion of the Starting Colts certificate program, or permission of the program instructors.

Equine Science

Degree plan for Equine Science Program

Program Details

Our Horse Training and Management and Equine Business Management programs prepare students for employment in a variety of areas in the horse industry. While these programs are not intended for transfer, some institutions may accept some or all of the coursework toward a bachelor’s degree. Consult with an academic advisor or LCC’s Transfer Coordinator for more information concerning transfer opportunities.

By the end of each semester, students gain proficiency in some aspect of the horse industry. These programs are hands-on whether in the classroom at the barn or in the arena.  Student learning for riding courses in both the Horse Training & Management and Equine Business Management programs are judged at the end of each semester at the horse show.  Students demonstrate their proficiency at training their horse and/or improving their horsemanship skills to complete various patterns in the arena.

Students also gain employable skills through the program’s work ethic and communication standards with instructors, program partners, and horse owners.  Students partake in feed crew, which allows them to become comfortable taking care of 50+ horses daily.  Students are responsible for the daily care of the horses they use for classes.  Additionally, our absence policy teaches students the importance of showing up on time, or early, for their duties. Those who choose to complete the Associates Degree are measured by their performance on a capstone internship.  Enrollment is limited to allow for individualized instruction.

Lamar Community College’s Horse Training & Management Program accepts approximately 90 two-year old colts year for students to green-break and another 30 horses for advanced training. These horses are received from breeders from several states. Breeders must apply in order to get their horses into the program.  Please contact our HTM instructor if you are interested in sending a horse to our HTM program.