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Student with horse in front of a horse trailer
Equine Studies
“Getting my Equine Studies degree from OHIO Southern helped provide me with the knowledge and experience to operate my own successful riding program right after graduation!”

-Jaclyn Eisenschmidt, 2018 Equine Studies Graduate

Equine Studies

The Associate in Applied Science in Equine Studiesprogram offers students the convenience of online courses and the flexibility of tailoring their experiences to the areas of the equine industry they want to explore. The equine program offers core courses to form a solid foundation in the basics of equine studies. Students may then select from two tracks to specifically tailor the program to their needs and interests: Commercial Equine Business Management (CEBM) or Equine Studies.

The Commercial Equine Business Managementtrack helps students develop equine business skills in the areas of leadership, law, non-profit development, employee relationships, marketing, management, entrepreneurship, business communications, facility management, and event management. Basic business skills are essential for a successful career in the equine industry, so the CEBM track includes computer, accounting, business, communications, and psychology courses.

The  Equine Studies track focuses on student skill development in the areas of equine welfare, health and care, farm management, riding, riding instruction, equine assisted activities, and business. Concentrations of horses, disciplines, sport and recreation vary throughout regions of the world.

16:1
Student to faculty ratio for classroom instruction at OHIO Chillicothe
98%
OHIO Chillicothe first-year students received financial aid in Fall 2021*

Equine Studies Courses

The equine studies major requires a minimum of 60 hours. To view full program details or course information, review the University catalog.

Full Program Details

  • Potential Careers


    A study of the current equine industry reveals the following information provided by the American Horse Council :

    • The United States has 6.65 million horses.
    • The horse industry has an employment impact of  2.2 million jobs.
    • The industry has a $177 billion impact on the United States economy.
  • Tuition and Fees


    The OHIO Guarantee takes the guesswork out of budgeting for college and provides a fixed rate table for tuition and most fees for four years (or 12 consecutive semesters). 

    Financial aid for undergraduate students (regardless of discipline) is available in the form of scholarships, grants and student loans. Visit our  Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships  to learn more.

  • West Virginia and Kentucky Residents


    Exploring the Southern or Eastern Campus? Residents of West Virginia can now qualify for in-state tuition. Kentucky residents in nearby counties can qualify for in-state tuition at OHIO Southern or Athens. Access the resources of a large, public university at an affordable, regional campus rate.

  • Learning Environment


    By enrolling online, students are increasing their technology skills and meeting the needs of the ever-expanding equine industry. In recent years, the equine industry has embraced technology in the areas of equipment development, pedigree and breeding tracking, barn management applications, advertising, equine sales and many more.

Program Admission Requirements

First-Year Students

Anyone who holds a high school diploma or has a GED certificate is eligible for admission to any Ohio University regional campus. Regional campuses have a rolling admissions policy which means that students may be admitted anytime during the year. Applicants will be accepted until class begins each semester. However, prospective students are advised to begin the application process as soon as possible so that they may be given important dates and deadlines in a timely manner. Freshmen applicants are encouraged to complete an online application for enrollment .

Transfer and Current OHIO Students

You are a transfer applicant if you have completed nine or more semester (12 quarter) hours at another institution after you graduated from high school. If you have completed fewer than nine semester hours, you will apply as a freshman applicant. To apply as a transfer student, applicants are encouraged to complete an online application for enrollment .

Becca Von Eiff, Spring 2022 Graduate

“I have been involved in the equine industry for the past 12 years and was looking for a degree to further educate myself. I researched and came across this equine studies course. What and made this program possible was its online format. I am a working student and this course made it possible to fulfill a dream of learning more and continue working in the equine field.”

Becca Von Eiff stands with a horse in a green field

Accreditation Information

The Equine Studies Program is a member of: Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International and Certified Horsemanship Association, and International Higher Education.

Ready for the Next Step?

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Kelly Hall
Director of Equine Studies
hallk@ohio.edu

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* Includes scholarships, grants, loans, federal work student and CARES/HEERF funding.

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