Equestrian Center Programs

Equestrian Studies Minor

A minor in equestrian studies requires 13 hours. Students wishing to complete an equestrian minor must complete two of these three courses:

  • REC 220 Leisure and Society 3
  • REC 221 Introduction to Leisure Service Delivery Systems 3
  • REC 411 Seminar 2

Students also take HRSM 224 Riding Instructor Certification (2) plus six hours of equestrian studies electives (HRSM, 211 level or above).

Recreation Major with Equestrian Concentration

The Recreation major with equestrian studies option is designed so that the student can acquire a liberal arts education and be well-rounded in the knowledge of horses, stable management, the teaching of riding, and the history and philosophy of training, teaching and riding. This option prepares the student to gain employment after graduation as a riding instructor, as a stable or riding program manager, or as a trainer. View program requirements.

Equestrian Center Courses

HRSM 113 Horsemanship I
Fundamental skills in hunt seat, dressage, and/or western riding, according to student background or interest. Grade based on improvement in skills. One riding lab per week; written final. (Counts for PHED 102 integrative studies credit.)

HRSM 223 Foundations of Equestrian Studies
(AL) Principles of horse management and other areas related to equitation studies. Hunt-seat equitation, basic dressage, ring riding, and cross-country riding.

HRSM 224 CHA Riding Instructor Certification
Camp Horsemanship Association (CHA) curriculum: CHA clinic and horsemanship teaching certification in CHA camp programs. Teaching and equitation skills in ring and trail riding of hunt and stock seat. Horsemanship teaching practicum.
Prerequisite: REC 113 or REC 223, or permission.

HRSM 276 Dressage
Philosophical and physiological building blocks of dressage, leading to mastery of Training Level and introduction to First Level dressage; lays the necessary foundation for effective horsemanship in all higher level disciplines.

HRSM 323 Eventing
Fundamentals of dressage and introduction to eventing (three-phase horse trials; includes dressage, cross-country galloping and jumping, stadium jumping techniques).
Prerequisite: REC 223 or permission.

HRSM 324 Principles of Training
 Foundations of breaking and training the young horse. Students work with the actual training of a young horse, utilizing classical principles, philosophy, and methodology.
Prerequisite: REC 223 or permission.

HRSM 325 Horsemanship: Jumping I
Fundamentals of basic jumping position and introduction to correctly navigating a course. Philosophy of the hunt seat system of riding.
Prerequisite: HRSM 223 or permission.

HRSM 326 Horsemanship: Jumping II
Building skills, refining techniques, and expanding technical knowledge learned in HRSM 325. Prerequisite: HRSM 223 or permission.

HRSM 327 Mini-Prix Jumper Equitation
Riding hunt seat equitation and showing hunters or jumpers; learning principles, practices, and philosophy of course design for the various classes and competitions for jumpers.

HRSM 328 Horsemanship: Judging
Lectures and field trips incorporating judging assignments for learners; understanding the duties of the judge; using good judging to educate riders.