Friday, October 19, 2012

William Woods University - Equine Studies

By Heather Toms


Based in Fulton, Missouri, William Woods University is a private four year college that's run with a non-profit motive. The University offers scholars associate degrees, bachelor's degrees and master's degrees that include 1 or 2 exciting options in equine studies.

William Woods University lets scholars select a major in either of 2 equestrian programs, one of these programs is an Equestrian Science Degree, a 4 year programme that entitles successful scholars to a baccalaureate degree. The primary targets of this program are students enthusiastic about careers concerning horse coaching, teaching of equitation and management of horses. Scholars taking up this program are put thru thorough theory in class and practice in the laboratory and field. Theoretical courses scholars need to finish include equine nourishment, equine anatomy, teaching methods, stable management and pony evaluation and selection.

Scholars must also take up one concentration from the four riding disciplines on offer at William Woods University: Western, Dressage, Hunter Jumper and Saddle Seat. Apart from their topic of concentration, students must also give time over a semester to riding in two other concentrations. Students are also taken to take part in equine shows. While it isn't compulsory, students interested in a training or showing career are encouraged to compete at these shows and gain some valuable experience.

Students are also permitted to do their minor in Equestrian studies.

The second degree program the University offers is its Equine Administration Degree. This programme is meant for scholars interested more in careers in equine related companies than in training or teaching. Courses are concentrated on business organisation, facility management, breed associations, event co-ordination and entrepreneurship. Scholars are trained intensively in both theory and application. Course tasks include learning of strategies utilised by equine as well as facility management, not to mention event and show management. The tasks also include applied riding over at least three semesters.

All credits for applied riding given to students are derived from a mixture of various riding styles taught here. These include hunter/jumper, dressage, Western and saddle seat. Scholars need to complete theory courses that include entrepreneurship, economics, law, promotion and public relations and taxation. Students also need to go in for 5 extra computer and business classes to round off their curriculum. Students of this programme are free to enter horse show competition if they so desire, on the proviso they pay their own costs of entry, stabling, hauling and anything else.

The College is extensive in size and spread of facilities, and provides scholars with a totally ideal learning environment. The amazing facilities include:

- Four barns, heated, with joint capacity of 150 box stalls

- Two indoor arenas; heated, of 90' x 220' and 90' X 200'

- An outdoor ring, lighted, of 150' X 250'

- Two study rooms.

- A cross country area of 40 acres at the northerly end of the campus.

- 150 horses of show quality

- One trailer with room for 7 horses and 2 more with room for 2 horses

- 8 rooms for tack

- Lockers for students

- Laundry

- Offices for faculty

- Cold and hot water at 6 wash stalls

- Regulation (USEF) jumps

- Regulation (USDF) dressage arenas.




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