Introduction to Horsemanship and the use of horses for riding and competition. You will gain insight into the equine industry and the team of professionals it takes to prepare a horse for competition. Areas of focus in this course will help you to select a horse for athleticism and conformation to use as a riding or competition horse. You will be able to identify horse breed, color, conformation and its suitability and soundness for riding. Topics to be included are anatomy, physiology, behavior, training, sports therapy and care. Subjects will be introduced to students through lecture, hands-on activities, and demonstrations. This course will give students experiences that they can use to build a career in the equine industry as a veterinarian, farrier, nutritionist, manager or trainer.

Upon completion of this course students will be able to evaluate a riding horse based on athleticism and conformation. Identify basic horse breeds, color, conformation and suitability for disciplines. Evaluate horse gaits for soundness and athleticism. Gain insight into career paths in the equine industry and practical skills in horse management and behavior. Understand horse behavior and psychology as it relates to training. Students will learn practical skills and knowledge to prepare them for horse facility management and ownership.

• Students will be engaged in hands on learning activities like grooming, bandaging, lunging, ground work, TPR, body condition scoring, tack fit, and riding.
• Industry professionals demonstrating and presenting in class.
• We will learn about the 6 key points of horse care turnout management, digestion and feeding, farrier care, vaccination, worming, and dental floating.
• Insight into horse training for riding or competition with a strong emphasis on the Dressage Training Scale and Natural Horsemanship.
• Evaluation of conformation and gaits of horses in comparison by judging show class.
• Evaluating soundness of the horse by the use of a pre-purchase exam.