Northwest Community College is located in Powell, Wyoming and is a two-year public community college that offers many different associate degree programs. One of the degree programs that is offered at Northwest Community College is an Associate’s in Applied Science Degree in Equine Studies. This program offers a comprehensive equine science base that is balanced by instruction, riding, training, and horse handling skills. This program will prepare students for the immediate entry into a number of different employment opportunities or they will be able to transfer to another learning institution to continue their education.
The two year Associate’s program has two options that a student can choose from depending on what their interests are. The first option is the riding and training option. This portion of the program will assist students in learning to ride, training, and horse handling skills in addition to all of the management aspects of the equine industry. Students who complete this program will be able to find employment in a number of fields including:
· Riding academies
· Training stables
· Summer camps
· Groom
· Exercise rider
· Boarding and Table operator
· Wrangle
Northwest Community College also offers a one year Equine Care and Basic Riding Certificate. This program is available to those students who do not need an AAS degree. This certificate program is designed to promote quality care of horses and will give the student the basic riding skills that they will need to be successful in the equine industry. During their coursework, students will cover equine safety, health management, nutrition, equine behavior, tack fitting and riding safety for both the rider and the horse. Graduates of this program will be able to find employment as a
· Boarding stables operator
· Riding stable aid
· Wrangler
· Trail riding guide
· Groom
· Sales
· Breeding farm sitter
For those students who want to be involved in the sale and merchandising aspects of the equine industry, Northwest Community College offers the Equine Business Management Option. Students do not need to have a horse for this degree option. Students can also choose the Farrier Business Management degree. This will provide students the skills that they need to run a small business and it will also prepare them to earn the American Farrier’s Association (AFA) professional certification.
The equine studies program places a great deal of emphasis on Western and English events. This is a very competitive program that only accepts about 40 students each year and these students will be working toward receiving an Associate of Applied Science degree in Equine Studies.
It is recommended, but not required, that students have more than just basic riding experience. Students with an equine background in 4-H or a breed association will benefit the most from this program. It is also recommended that students bring their own horse with them to the campus. If the student does not have their own horse, arrangements can be made to obtain one that should be at the campus before the student arrives for the first day of class. All students will pay the same stable fees regardless if they have their own horse or are provided one when they arrive at campus. Any horse is acceptable for use in the equine studies program (except gaited horses). They can be registered or non-registered, but they must be sound and well mannered. The riding classes will require that the horse be able to walk, trot, and canter in a relaxed manner and be able to work quietly with other horses.
All of the riding classes will take place at the Equine Center Complex. This is where students will stable their horses. The facility has many features that include a heated arena with viewing gallery, feed storage, outdoor arena, turn out paddocks, tack room, and indoor and outdoor wash racks.
