EQUH - Equine Horsemanship

EQUH 110  Western Equitation: 2 Credits (2 Lab)

(F, Sp) Students will learn safe horsemanship techniques first on the ground and then riding. The ground skills will teach students how to begin to read and interact with a prey species while building confident connections with their horses. Once skills are acquired on the ground the students will learn how to apply them while riding. Some skills include: reading horse behavior, pressure/release, controlling different parts of the horse, and being a good leader. Students should allow 15 minutes to get to Miller Stock Pavilion. Transportation is student's responsibility and not included in course fees.

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  1. Recognize basic herd behavior, the similarities & differences between horses and humans and apply that information to handle horses in a safe and confident manner.
  2. Apply the knowledge gained about horse/horse and horse/human interactions and demonstrate horsemanship skills on the ground and while mounted.Approaching, catching, and leading a loose horse in a herd situation
  3. Asserting leadership through controlling movement on the ground & while mounted
  4. Control the front end, hind end and whole body of the horse ground level and riding at a walk and trot
  5. Mount and dismount a horse bareback safely from the “near” and “off” sides.
  6. Riding bareback (walk & jog) ;

EQUH 114  Horsemanship 1: 2 Credits (2 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: EQUH 110 or consent of instructor. (F, Sp) Students will learn beginning horsemanship information and skills in both English and Western disciplines building on skills learned in EQUH 110. Some of that information will include tack fit, adjustment, care, and part identification, correct rider position in various gaits and styles of riding. Students will begin to work toward securing a balanced seat and use of independent aids while in the walk, jog/sitting trot, posting trot, and lope/canter. Students should allow 15 minutes to get to Miller Stock Pavilion. Pavilion. Transportation is student's responsibility and not included in course fees

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  1. Gain knowledge about some styles of English and Western tack: parts, use, fit, potential hazards, and care
  2. Demonstrate tacking and untacking English and Western
  3. Demonstrate a balanced position at the walk, jog/sitting trot, posting trot, lope/canter, posting trot, two-point, stop
  4. Demonstrate use of independent aids
  5. Identify the significant similarities and differences between English and Western disciplines as they are utilized in this class.

EQUH 133  Horses: Ground Level: 2 Credits (2 Lab)

(F, Sp) Designed to teach safe horsemanship; ground level. Students will learn handling skills to establish leadership and mutual respect. Skills taught will help students prepare horses for the vet, farrier, and outings. Students will gain awareness of body language to gage possible outcomes of situations.

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  1. Understand basic herd behavior, the similarities and differences between horses (prey) and humans (predators) and how to use that information to handle horses in a positive and confident manner.
  2. Apply knowledge gained about controlling movement to establish leadership in human/horse interaction.
  3. Begin to develop awareness of horses’ body language so as to read potential outcomes in changing situations.
  4. Develop awareness of your own body language and how you need to adapt it to a prey animals responses.
  5. Understand how engaging a horse’s brain and connecting it to the movement of her feet will help cultivate balance and comfort in the horse and a connection to you.
  6. Learn safe handling techniques for use in various situations with horses at different training levels.
  7. Learn and be able to recognize general anatomy and the natural gaits of the horse.
  8. Gain knowledge about tack/equipment used for groundwork (parts, fit, purpose, potential hazard).
  9. Get familiarized with knots used for handling and securing horses.
  10. Learn and practice appropriate grooming techniques for horses in different venues.
  11. Understand and begin developing skills to desensitize or re-sensitize horses pursuant to their handler/rider level.

EQUH 207  Intermed English Equitation: 2 Credits (2 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: EQUH 114 or consent of instructor. (Sp) Advanced English equitation techniques including collecting, lateral movements and beginning jumping. Students should allow 15 minutes to get to Miller Stock Pavilion. Transportation is student's responsibility and not included in course fees

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  1. Students who successfully complete this course must demonstrate the following utilizing English Equitation: \\n\\nHave a secure seat at walk, sitting trot, posting trot, and canter with emphasis on proper body positioning.
  2. Correct up and down transitions.
  3. Understand and demonstrate lateral flexion and collection.
  4. Demonstrate and understand rein effects.
  5. Understand and demonstrate correct leads and lead changes.
  6. Intermediate maneuvers such as; turns on forehand and haunches, side-pass, leg yields, half pass, etc.
  7. Riding bareback.
  8. Ability to problem solve when communication between horse and rider is unsuccessful.
  9. Basic horsemanship and training skills as dictated by the instructor.
  10. Use of cues and aids correctly, including hands, seat, leg, voice, etc.
  11. Understanding of and ability to ride a correct dressage test.
  12. Correct jumping position and ability to ride appropriately over jumps.

EQUH 210  Intermed Western Equitation: 2 Credits (2 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: EQUH 114 or consent of instructor. (F, Sp) Students will learn more advanced skills such as collection, roll-backs, turn-arounds, and lead changes. Students must have secure seat and hands. Problem solving and training methods for green horses and older horses with holes in their training will be covered. Students should allow 15 minutes to get to Miller Stock Pavilion. Transportation is student's responsibility and not included in course fees

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Identify and demonstrate correct transitions (i.e. walk to jog, jog to lope, walk to lope).
  2. Understand and demonstrate lateral flexion and collection.
  3. Demonstrate and understand rein effects (leading, direct, indirect, etc.).
  4. Understand and demonstrate correct leads and lead changes.
  5. Perform intermediate maneuvers such as pivots, side-pass, two track, leg yields, etc.
  6. Ability to problem solve when communication between horse rider is unsuccessful.
  7. Use of cues and aids correctly, including hands, seat, leg, voice, etc.
  8. Understand and be able to perform basic training techniques on equitation horses.
  9. Ride effectively with independent seat and hands.

EQUH 253  Starting Colts: 2 Credits (4 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: Full time student, sophomore standing or higher, in good academic standing and consent of instructor. (F) Principles and techniques of breaking and training young horses

EQUH 256  Developing The Young Horse: 2 Credits (2 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: EQUH 253, full time student, sophomore standing or higher, in good academic standing and consent of instructor. (Sp) -Department of Animal & Range Sciences

EQUH 292  Independent Study: 1-3 Credits (1-3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Consent of instructor and approval of department head. (F, Sp, Su) Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

EQUH 314  Equestrian Instruction Methods: 2 Credits (1 Lec, 2 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: EQUH 110, EQUH 210, or consent of instructor. (F, Sp) The object of this course is to develop competent riding instructors who can communicate effectively and motivate students to improve horsemanship skills. Students should allow 15 minutes to get to Miller Stock Pavilion. Transportation is student's responsibility and not included in course fees
Repeatable up to 4 credits.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Review basic horsemanship skills so you can articulate those to your students.
  2. Analyze and identify your own riding strengths and weaknesses.
  3. Practice teaching basic horsemanship skills.
  4. Begin to appraise how to assess and take proper safety measures in various situations.
  5. Learn to communicate with students using various methods.
  6. Analyze and develop solutions to problems that may occur during a lesson with horse, rider, spectator or combination.

EQUH 492  Independent Study: 1-3 Credits (1-3 Other)