Equine Therapeutic Horsemanship| Major

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science

The equine therapeutic horsemanship major is a multidisciplinary major comprised of courses in equine studies, business, and education. Students are expected to have a high level of horsemanship skills. Students majoring in this field are prepared for a career in the therapeutic horsemanship, therapeutic riding or equine assisted activities and therapies. Through the selection of either the Administrator or Instructor Track, students prepare for a career in either the operations and management of therapeutic facilities or teaching therapeutic riding and horsemanship to persons who will therapeutically benefit from programs with horses.

The Instructor Track prepares the student with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to be eligible for certification by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl). Essential skills and proficiency testing will be assessed periodically for students in this program. All students in this program need to comply with the Student Standards of the Equine Studies Student and Rider Eligibility Standards.

We offer two tracks to help you specialize in this exponentially growing field.

General Requirements for Admission to the Major

Students enrolling in equine studies classes must meet standards established for physical abilities to participate in any experiential activities involving horses, including riding horses and barn activities. Equine welfare standards and best practices mandate that horses will not be expected to carry a rider and tack exceeding 20% of the horse's body weight. Riders over 240 pounds are ineligible to ride. See the Equine Studies Student and Rider Eligibility Standards policy available from the School of Equine Studies.

Requirements for the Major

There are 55-58 semester credits required for this major, including:

• AC 101 Accounting Principles I (3 SH)

• BI 100 Concepts of Biology (3 SH) or BI 101/L Introductory Biology I/Lab (4 SH)**

  • ** Meets General Education Science Requirement

• EDC 330 Introduction to Students with Exceptional Learning Needs (3 SH)

• EDE 304 Child Development and Learning (3 SH)

• EQ 109 Introduction to the Equine Industry (3 SH)

• EQ 110 Horse Care Practicum (4 SH)

• EQ 115 Assisting with Therapeutic Riding (4 SH)

• EQ 116 Equine Assisted Learning and Psychotherapy (2 SH)

• EQ 208 Principles of Therapeutic Horsemanship (3 SH)

• EQ 210 Equine Health (3 SH)

• EQ 211 Equestrian Business Essentials (3 SH)

• EQ 212 Equine Facilities Management and Operations (3 SH)

• EQ 238 Equine Anatomy and Physiology I (3 SH)

• EQ 239 Equine Anatomy and Physiology II (3 SH)

• EQ 490 Equine Therapeutic Horsemanship Senior Capstone (3 SH)

• FN 315 Accounting and Finance for Not-For-Profit Organizations (3 SH)

• MN 200 Introduction to Management (3 SH)

• PS 101 General Psychology (3 SH) (LEC CORE Requirement)

Students must either acquire First Aid and Adult CPR Certification or take PE 110 in Junior or Senior Year, and hold status at the time of graduation.

Instructor Track Requirements

This track is structured for the student preparing for a career as an instructor in therapeutic horsemanship, therapeutic riding or an equine-assisted activity center. A 100 hour internship at an approved PATH, IntL Accredited Center is required.

Students must participate in or observe 25 hours of therapeutic riding lessons with a PATH, Intl. Certified Riding Instructor during their internship. Students will be advised regarding the requirements for Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification by PATH, Intl. Completion of this track prepares the student to apply for PATH Intl. Therapeutic Riding Instructor certification after the completion of adequate teaching hours meeting PATH, Intl. specifications.

This program does require at least two riding classes for degree completion. Students in this major must comply with all Student Standards, Rider Fitness and Rider Size components of the Equine Studies Student and Rider Eligibility Standards.

NOTE: Students pursuing PATH, Intl. Riding Instructor Certification are required to complete 25 hours of mentored therapeutic riding teaching experience under a PATH Certified instructor, per the requirements of PATH, Intl. These requirements are subject to change from PATH, International. Additional requirements specified by PATH, Intl. may be required for certification. These 25 hours of mentored therapeutic riding teaching experience are not a requirement for graduation from Lake Erie College.

Track requires 21 semester credits including:

• EQ 220 Introduction to Teaching Riding (3 SH)

• EQ 316 Methods and Materials of Teaching Riding I (3 SH)

• EQ 316L Methods & Materials of Teaching Riding I Lab (1 SH)

• EQ 317 Methods and Materials of Teaching Riding II (3 SH)

• EQ 317L Methods & Materials of Teaching Riding II Lab (1 SH)

• EQ 320 Equine Nutrition (3 SH)

• EQ 331 Equine Lameness (3 SH)

• #50 Internship at approved PATH, Intl. Accredited Center (2 SH)

As well as 2 semester credits from EQ Therapeutic Horsemanship Group 2. These riding classes must be completed by the spring semester of the junior year.

• EQR 141 Novice Forward Seat Riding (1 SH)

• EQR 143 Advanced Forward Seat Riding (1 SH)

• EQR 114 Principles of Dressage (1 SH)

• EQR 120 Intro to Hunters and Theory (1 SH)

• EQR 127 Medium Level Dressage and Theory (1 SH)

• EQR 130 Intro to Stadium Jumpers and Theory (1 SH)

• EQR 201 Western Seat I (1 SH)

• EQR 202 Western Seat 2 (1 SH)

Administrator Track Requirements

This track is structured for the student preparing for a career in administration and management of therapeutic horsemanship facilities and equine-assisted activity centers. Students are expected to have good horsemanship skills but are not required to ride horses.

A 100-hour internship at an approved therapeutic facility is required. This track does not automatically prepare the student for PATH Intl. Riding Instructor Certification. This program does not require any riding classes for degree completion. Students in this major do not need to comply with the Rider Fitness or Rider Size components of Equine Studies Student and Rider Eligibility Standards. The Student eligibility standards for equine studies students must be met.

There are 14 semester credits including:

• EQ 350 Internship at approved therapeutic facility (2 SH)

• CJ 315 Business Law I (3 SH)

• MK 203 Marketing Principles (3 SH)

• MK 301 Social and Digital Media Marketing (3 SH)

• MN 312 Human Resource Management (3 SH)