Otterbein College is located in Westerville, Ohio and is a four-year nonprofit college. The department of equine science at Otterbein College provides an exciting educational experience for students who want to pursue a career as an equine professional. The philosophy at Otterbein College is “students learn by doing”. This means that students will have a direct, hands on approach to learning and will do different things that include trimming hooves, making horse shoes, foaling out mares, giving injections, bandaging legs and numerous other things that are involved in the equine industry.
Otterbein College offers three equine science majors and one minor for students to choose from. The Equine Business and Facility Management Degree is a course of study that will prepare students for a career in the business and facility management aspects of the equine industry. This curriculum is centered on the horse and is balanced by strong business preparation. There are many different career possibilities for students and include:
· Facility operation
· Specialized insurance
· Writing and publishing
· Administration of sport disciplines and breed organizations, racetrack, and competition facilities
· Farm and event management
· Sales
· Marketing and distribution of horses and horse related products
Students may also pursue graduate degrees in Law and Business Administration programs. This major is composed of courses from the Departments of Equine Science, Business, Accounting, Economics, Communication, English, and Mathematics.
Students can also pursue a degree in Equine Science Pre-veterinary Medicine/Pre-graduate Studies. This major provides a unique opportunity for pre-veterinary medicine students and students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies to work with horses at the equine center, producing horse-experienced veterinary students. Besides fulfilling the requirements for entry into a veterinary program, students will be able to study the horse in depth over a four semester time period. During this time, students will learn about the anatomy and physiology of the horse, diseases and disorders, current diagnostic methods, treatments, prognosis, and prevention. Students will work closely with their advisors to ensure that they fulfill all of the prerequisites that are need for entry into a veterinary program.
Equine Health Technology is a major that is derived from an articulation agreement between Columbus State Community College’s Veterinary Technology Program and Otterbein’s Department of Equine Science. At the end of the four year program, students who have successfully completed all of the requirements from both colleges will be able to receive an Associate of Applied Science degree from Columbia State Community College and a Baccalaureate degree from Otterbein College. These students will also be eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination and become registered as a Veterinary Technician by the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board. The Columbus State Community College’s Veterinary Technology Program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Students may also choose to minor in equine science. The goal of the equine studies minor is to provide students who are majoring in other studies the opportunity to increase their knowledge of horses and their care. These students will also be able to further their equestrian skills. These students will also be provided with a hands on approach to learning just like the students who choose to major in equines studies.
Students will spend a great amount of their time at the Equestrian center, located five miles north of the college campus. Currently the Equestrian Center has a 25 stall barn, 25 horses, both indoor and outdoor arenas, cross country course, round pen, and several pastures and paddocks. The new horse facility will open at the beginning of the 2008 academic year and will feature many new pastures and building and will sit on 111 acres that is approximately two miles from the main campus.
