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Collage of five images of students with horses.

The Veterinary and Animal Sciences Department’s Animal Science major BS degree offers an Equine Science concentration that is based on knowledge of basic scientific concepts applied to the equine species and combined with hands-on stable management experience. Students learn the scientific concepts and practical application of the management, nutrition, veterinary care, breeding, and handling of horses through comprehensive coursework and technical training at the UMass Hadley Farm Equine Center. Students in the Equine Science concentration work alongside equine health and reproductive specialists to learn herd and health management and the breeding industry including stallion collection, artificial insemination, pregnancy, and foaling. Students also have the opportunity to gain clinical experience working with our certified faculty in the new Equine Rehabilitation program

A person posed next to a horse and holding the reins.

Additional courses in this concentration include equine nutrition, equine behavior and learning theory, equine sports medicine, and development of young horses. Students will acquire basic scientific knowledge by taking courses in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and general animal science to broaden their knowledge and skills, preparing them for an array of careers, veterinary school, or graduate studies. Graduates with the Equine Science concentration will have many career opportunities. Career options include: veterinarian, nutritionist, equine rehabilitation practitioner, chiropractor, equine marketing specialist, breed association professional, equine science teacher, equine-assisted therapy director, and pharmaceutical research/sales. Students in the Equine Science concentration will gain real-world experience and build professional contacts through our internship program, career seminars, and industry association events.

For additional information, please contact Cassandra Uricchio or Jillianne Smith.

Equine Teams and Activities

Collage of students with horses

 

Equine Concentration Course Checklist

 

Suggested sequence of classes

First year - Fall

  • ANIMLSCI 101 - Intro to Animal Science, 4
  • BIOLOGY 151 - Intro Biology I, 4
  • MATH 104 - Pre-Calculus, 3
  • General Education Class AI/AT/SB/HS/I +DG or DU, 4
  • FYFS Freshmen Seminar or Residential Academic Program (RAP), 1
  • Credits 16

First year - Spring

  • ANIMLSCI 103 - Intro  Animal Management, 4
  • BIOLOGY 152/153 - Intro Biology II and Lab, 5
  • CHEM 111 - General Chemistry I, 4
  • ENGLWRIT 112 - College Writing, 3
  • MATH 127- Calculus (Prereq for Vet School), 3
  • Credits 16/19     

Sophomore year - Fall 

  • ANIMLSCI 220 - Anatomy & Physiology, 4
  • ANIMLSCI 236* - Equine Management I, 2
  • ANIMLSCI 260 - Animal Welfare, 4
  • CHEM 112 - General Chemistry II, 4
  • STATISTC 111 or STATISTC 240 or RESECON 212- Statistics OR General Education Class, 3/4
  • Credits, 17/18   

Sophomore year - Spring 

  • ANIMLSCI 256 ​- Equine Management II, 2     
  • ANIMLSCI 285 - Cellular & Molecular Biology, 3
  • CHEM 250 or CHEM 261 - Organic Chemistry, 3
  • STATISTC 111 or STATISTC 240 or RESECON 212 - Statistics OR General Education Class, 3/4
  • General Education Class, 4
  • Credits 15/16

Junior year - Fall 

  • ANIMLSCI 301* - Equine Learning & Behavior, 3
  • ANIMLSCI 311 - Genetics, 3
  • ANIMLSCI 333 - Equine, Cattle & Companion Animal Nutrition,3 OR  ANIMLSCI 332 (spring semester), 4
  • ANIMLSCI 373 - Equine Diseases or ANIMLSCI 472 or ANIMLSCI 572 (spring semester), 3
  • BIOCHEM 320 - Biochemistry, 3
  • Credits 15

Junior year - Spring 

  • ANIMLSCI 302*- Development and Training of the Horse, 3
  • ANIMLSCI 320 - Animal Business Management, 3
  • ANIMLSCI 392A - Careers in Animal Science, 1
  • MICROBIOLOGY 310 - Microbiology, 3
  • Elective or General Education Class, 3/4
  • Credits 13/14

Senior year - Fall 

  • ANIMLSCI 401*- Management of the Equine Athlete, 3
  • ANIMLSCI 494EI - IE: One Health, 3 OR ANIMLSCI 494GI - IE: Good Intentions, 3 (spring semester)
  • NATSCI 387 - CNS Junior Writing or Elective, 3/4
  • General Education Class, 4
  • Elective, 3/4
  • Credits 16/18

Senior year - Spring

  • ANIMLSCI 402*- Equine Rehabilitation, 3
  • ANIMLSCI 494GI - IE: Good Intentions, 3 OR ANIMLSCI 494EI - IE: One Health, 3 (fall semester)
  • ANIMLSCI 421 - Wildlife Reproduction or ANIMLSCI 521 - Physiology of Reproduction, 3/4
  • ANIMLSCI 445A** - Equine Reproduction Lab, 1
  • Elective, 3/4

* A minimum of six credits in the ANIMLSCI 301/302 or ANIMLSCI 401/402 series is required, which is fulfilled by taking either of the two series.
**Students must take one of the following lab courses in their junior or senior year:

  • ANIMLSCI 365 - Fundamental Vet & Biomedical Lab, 3
  • ANIMLSCI 366 - Veterinary Microbiology Lab, 2
  • ANIMLSCI 385 - Biotechnology Lab, 3
  • ANIMLSCI 445A - Equine Reproduction, 1
  • ANIMLSCI 487 - Fundamental Vertebrate Embryology, 3

Recommended Gen Ed: RESECON102/ECON 103 (GenEd SB)

Recommended electives:

  • ANIMLSCI 398S - Equine Enterprise I, variable
  • ANIMLSCI 403-Canine and Equine Rehabilitation, 3
  • ANIMLSCI 498S - Equine Enterprise II, variable
Collage of images of students with horses.