Equine Science AAS
Course work in the Equine Science Degree focuses on the physiological and behavioral science aspects of the horse and related industry professions. The curriculum also prepares students for further academic study and transfer of credits toward a bachelor's degree in an equine or Agriculture related degrees. Some of the careers available to graduates include Vet Technician, Breeding Farm/General Farm Mgt., Training/Riding Instructor, College Professor/Instructor, Extension Horse Specialist, and Ag. Agent, and Equine Pharmaceuticals, Equine Nutritionist and related Industry Retail/Sales.
Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree, students will be able to:
- Discuss various diseases and ailments in a horse
- Perform basic medical care of horses
- Identify lameness that afflict horses
- Summarize the functional components of a bit and explain the action of different bit types in the horse's mouth
- Explain the anatomy and physiology of the horses' digestive system.
- Recommend nutritional consideration and feeding practices to meet the needs of individual horses.
This degree is completed primarily face-to-face, however some of the core curriculum requirements may be completed online or at other NCTC campuses. The program is designed to take two years to complete and is comprised of the following suggested pathway or course of study.
Degree Requirements
| RUBRIC NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST SEMESTER | ||
| AGEQ 1411 | Equine Science | 4 |
| AGEQ 1305 | Equine Enterprise Management | 3 |
| AGEQ 1315 | Horse Evaluation I | 3 |
| AGRI 1315 | Farm and Ranch Shop Skills I | 3 |
| Western Horsemanship I or Principles of Ranch Riding I (Team) | 3 | |
| TOTAL HOURS | 16 | |
| SECOND SEMESTER | ||
| AGEQ 1350 | Equine Reproduction | 3 |
| AGEQ 2310 | Equine Business Management | 3 |
| AGEQ 2311 | Equine Science II | 3 |
| AGEQ 2339 or AGEQ 1371 | Western Horsemanship II or Principles of Ranch Horse II (Team) | 3 |
| AGRI 1325 or AGCR 1307 | Marketing of Ag Products or Range Management | 3 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 15 | |
| THIRD SEMESTER | ||
| AGEQ 2373 | Introduction Veterinary Tech | 3 |
| AGEQ 2371 or AGEQ 1322 or AGEQ 2315 or AGEQ 1401 | Advanced Ranch Riding or Fundamentals of Riding Instruction or Horse Evaluation II (Team option only) or Equine Behavior and Training I | 3-4 |
| EDUC 1300 | Learning Frameworks | 3 |
| ENGL 1301, 1302, or 2311 | Composition I, Composition II, or Technical & Business Writing | 3 |
| BIOL 1411, 1413, or 2406 | General Botany, General Zoology, or Environmental Biology | 4 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 16-17 | |
| FOURTH SEMESTER | ||
| Core | Social/Behavioral | 3 |
| SPCH 1315 or SPCH 1321 | Public Speaking or Business & Professional Communication | 3 |
| AGEQ 2372 or AGEQ 2374 or AGEQ 2401 | Advanced Reining or Basics of Dressage or Equine Behavior and Training II | 3-4 |
| AGEQ 2386 | Internship Equestrian/Equine Studies | 3 |
| AGRI 1131 | Agriculture Industry | 1 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 13-14 | |
| DEGREE TOTAL HOURS | 60-61 | |
Capstone Requirement: AGEQ 2386 Internship - Equestrian/Equine Studies is the capstone requirement and may not be substituted. It should be taken the last semester before graduation.
