Horse Training & Management (HTM) and Equine Business Management (EBM)

The western way…

Our purpose is clear:

To develop our students into the leaders of the horse industry.

Are YOU ready to join our programs and become a leader of the horse industry?


Experience the Horse Training & Management (HTM) and Equine Business Management (EBM) industries first-hand at Lamar Community College! The horse programs at LCC are internationally recognized and one of the best programs in the nation. Learn from professional horse trainers in state-of-the-art facilities. Classes are hands-on, and you will have the opportunity to ride seven days a week.

Program Highlights

  • Energize your career
  • Lucrative employment opportunities
  • Riding courses 7 days a week supplemented with anatomy, reproduction, and management courses
  • Your career placement is important to our industry partners and us
  • Students earning either Associates Degree will complete a semester long internship with industry leaders

Join the LCC Horse Programs Interest List

Program Overview

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 each 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 to get their horses into the program. Please contact our HTM instructor if you are interested in sending a horse to our HTM program.

Program History

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!

Degrees & Certificates

Program Details

Next Steps

Career Outlook & 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.

Horse Training & Management

  • Cowhorse trainer apprentice
  • Cutting trainer apprentice
  • Reining trainer apprentice
  • Rope horse trainer apprentice
  • Barrel trainer apprentice
Equine Business Management

  • Horse vet technician
  • Barn manager
  • Horse sales coordinator
  • Breeding program manager
  • Riding instructor
  • Horse product sales representative
  • Horse journalist
  • Horse rehabilitation manager

Testimonials

My time at LCC in the HTM and EBM programs was instrumental in preparing me for success after school. At LCC, we were held to high standards and entrusted with numerous responsibilities, including working with a variety of horses, early mornings, late nights, and tasks like feed crew management. These day-to-day duties taught me discipline and time management, which laid a solid foundation for my future endeavors.

One of the most valuable aspects of my education was the hands-on learning. We gained practical experience in bandaging, pulling blood, learning veterinary terminology, and providing direct care for horses. This hands-on approach equipped me with the skills I needed for my internships and jobs that followed.

For my HTM internship, I had the opportunity to work with Shali Lord, a National Finals Rodeo barrel racer. I was responsible for the care and riding of her horses, helping her manage the logistics of traveling and competing, and ensuring everything ran smoothly when she was away. The experience gave me a deeper understanding of the demands of professional rodeo.

The following summer, I completed my EBM internship at Elite Equine Veterinary, where I worked as a vet tech. I assisted with X-rays, lab work, and operated rehab equipment, all while working with high-performance horses. The veterinarian at Elite had high expectations, and we were held to a high standard, but this only helped me grow professionally.

After my internship, I was offered a permanent position at Elite. Currently, I work part-time at the vet clinic and part-time at a ranch, where I have the flexibility and support to pursue my passion for rodeo while also training younger horses.

Throughout my journey, the instructors and coaches at LCC were always supportive, encouraging me every step of the way and helping me achieve success.

Kinzie Rush

2024 Graduate

Going through the horse training and management program at LCC has helped me in many ways to pursue my passion for training horses. They gave me hands on experience with multiple colts throughout my time there. I went on to intern with Dirk Blakesley, who is an LCC alumni as well, training cutting horses in Augusta Kansas. I learned so many valuable lessons of starting colts and training show horses and all the steps in between. Preparing for the futurity in Fort Worth and going to many shows as well as staying back from shows at the barn by myself to clean stalls and take care of the horses and cow herd. Hands on experience is critical to working with horses and LCC gave me the tools I needed to further my learning and am currently starting colts for the 6666 ranch in Guthrie Texas. I am beyond honored for the opportunity and can’t wait to see what the future holds. I am so thankful for the education that I got at Lamar and highly recommend it to anyone that is wanting to pursue a career in the horse industry. They are the best school to get started with!

Oh and I want to say too:

The instructors want to help us kids get to where we want to be and love to see us succeed and I am so grateful to have had them helping me along and growing my love for horses and for the industry.

Aubrie Brown

2024 Graduate

My time in the LCC Equine Business Management program prepared me in many ways, even beyond what I expected. Not only did I improve my horsemanship, but I also gained valuable skills that continue to help me in my current job as a veterinary nurse. For my internship, I worked at Lazy E Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where I worked with high-caliber racehorses and learned more about breeding science. This experience was often stressful — everything had to be perfect for these mares to ovulate and reproduce successfully.

But I’m grateful for my time there because I learned how to manage high-stress scenarios better. In the vet clinic, many of our tasks require precision. For example, we must intubate patients properly for surgery and run the blood diagnostics correctly — all while working to make both the patient and the client happy.

Often I see patients at the vet clinic that are hurt, old or sick. These patients could potentially injure someone who isn’t versed in or mindful of the ways to safely work with these horses. Now I have confidence going into work at the clinic that I can safely handle various situations. LCC continues to impact me, and I recommend that any student interested in learning more about horses and equine careers consider studying there.

Thanks again,

Brooklynn Jones

Hi Ms. Tomoson,

I’m writing you to express my extreme gratitude for all you and the Equine Business Management program has done to prepare me to be successful, not only in my internship but also the rest of my career in the equine industry. I interned at Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association, and I absolutely love it. I assist with everything from the day to day operations at our office in Brighton, CO, to being at our shows around the state, as well as our horse races. The EBM program has undoubtedly provided me with the knowledge, of not only the business side of my job at RMQHA, but as well as the equine aspects of my job. LCC has also instilled a high level of work ethic and a love for the Equine and Ag industries leading me to continue my education at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Co., studying animal science. Ms.Tomoson, you have gifted me with the love of learning about all this industry has to offer, and I can’t thank you enough.

Warm Regards,

Allison Schwartz

Hi JJ and Jason,

I just wanted to write to you both and tell you THANK YOU for all that you taught me when I was at Lamar. I’m still working for the people that I interned for. I ride colts for them and train reining horses. I just recently bought a new reining horse out of Hollywood Dun It. I’m in the middle of my show season, and so far I’m doing awesome. I’m sitting first in the state of California in my basic class, and I have a chance to qualify for the Affiliate Finals in Oklahoma. If I make Top 4 there, then I qualify for Scottsdale, Arizona! From there I’m going to try to qualify for WORLD next year! You taught me so much, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for you two so once again – THANK YOU!

Sincerely,
Kimberly Fohrman

Hello JJ,

Just checkin in to say “hi.” Hope all is well with you at Lamar.

I was wondering if you were going to be in Amarillo during the WRCA finals. If so, I am goin to be there selling horses at the bloodstock headquarters sale. Maybe we could have dinner.

I also wanted to thank you for teaching me all that you did at Lamar. It has made me very successful as a trainer. I currently have a barn and arena leased, and I am training ranch horses. I have more colts to ride than I can handle!!!!! I hope to take two horses to my first show in January in the versatility ranch horse. I’m excited and nervous I want to do well.

Thanks again,
Jack Davis

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