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.
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. The graduates of 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. Students are encouraged to be involved in clinics and shows that are routinely held at the Hadley Farm, including multiple collegiate and USEF/USDF breed shows, along with the American Hanoverian Society Inspection.
For additional information, please contact Cassandra Uricchio (curicchio [at] umass.edu) or Jillianne Smith (jrsmith [at] umass.edu)
Equine Science Concentration - Suggested Sequence of Classes
Freshman year - Fall Semester
ANIMLSCI 101 - Introduction to Animal Science with lab 4
BIOL 151 - Introduction to Biology I 4
MATH 104 - Pre-Calculus 3
General Education Class/DU or DG 4
First Year Freshmen Seminar/RAP 1
Credits 16
Freshman year - Spring Semester
ANIMLSCI 103 - Introduction to Animal Management with lab 4
BIOL 152/153 - Introduction to Biology II with lab 5
*CHEM 111 - General Chemistry I* with lab 4
ENGWLP 112 - English Writing 3
MATH 127 - Calculus - Prereq for business classes & vet school 3
Credits 16/19
Sophomore Year - Fall Semester
ANIMLSCI 220 - Anatomy & Physiology with lab 4
ANIMLSCI 260 - Animal Welfare with discussion - Gen Ed SI 4
CHEM 112 - General Chemistry II with lab 4
STAT 111 or STAT 240 - Statistics or RESEC 212 OR General Education Class 3/4
ANIMLSCI 236 - Equine Management I 2
Credits 17/18
Sophomore Year - Spring Semester
ANIMLSCI 285 - Molecular & Cellular Biology 3
CHEM 250 or CHEM 261 - Organic Chemistry with lab 3
STAT 111 or STAT 240 - Statistics or RESEC 212 OR General Education Class 3/4
General Education Class 4
ANIMLSCI 256 - Equine Management II 2
Credits 15/16
Junior Year - Fall Semester
ANIMLSCI 311 - Genetics 3
ANIMLSCI 301** - Equine Learning & Behavior 3
ANIMLSCI 333 - Equine, Cattle and Companion Animal Nutrition
OR ANIMLSCI 332 with lab (4 credits, spring sem.) 3
ANIMLSCI 373 - Equine Diseases OR ANIMLSCI 472
OR ANIMLSCI 572 (spring sem) 3
BIOCHEM 420 - Biochemistry 3
Credits 16
Junior Year - Spring Semester
ANIMLSCI 302** - Development & Training of the Horse 3
ANIMLSCI 320 - Animal Business Management 3
NATSCI 387** - Writing in the Sciences OR Elective OR GenEd 3/4
MICROBIO 310 - Microbiology 3
ANIMSCI 392A - Careers Seminar 1
Credits 13/14
Senior Year - Fall Semester
ANIMLSCI 401** - Management of the Equine Athlete 3
NATSCI 387 - Writing in the Sciences 3
ANIMLSCI 494PI - Gen Ed - Integrative Experience Advanced Animal Health &
Management or ANIMLSCI 494GI - Gen Ed - Integrative Experience - Good
Intentions (spring semester) 3
General Education Class 4
Elective - see list below 3/4
Credits 16/17
Senior Year - Spring Semester
ANIMLSCI 402** - Equine Rehabilitation 3
NATSCI 387 - Writing in the Sciences OR Elective - see list below 3/4
ANIMLSCI 494GI - Gen Ed - Integrative Experience - Good Intentions or
ANIMLSCI 494PI - Advanced Animal Health & Management (fall semester) 3
ANIMLSCI 421 - Wildlife Reproduction OR Physiology of Reproduction 3/4
ANIMLSCI 445A*** - Equine Reproduction Lab 1
Credits 14/15
* Note: Students need to have completed Math 104 or equivalent or have a score of 20 or better on part A of the Math placement test to enroll in Chemistry 111.
** A minimum of 6 credits in the ANIMLSCI 301/302 or ANIMLSCI 401/402 or ANIMLSCI 301/401 series is required, which is fulfilled by taking either of the two series.
*** Laboratory Requirement - take a minimum of 1 credit; choose from the following: ANIMLSCI 445A Equine Reproduction Lab 1 credit (Spring) ANIMLSCI 365 Fundamentals in Veterinary & Biomed. Lab Techniques 4 credits (Fall) ANIMLSCI 366 Veterinary Microbiology Lab 2 credits (Fall or Spring) ANIMLSCI 390E - Fundamental Vertebrate Embryology 3 credits (Spring) ANIMLSCI 390R - Canine Tumor Project 2 credits (Fall or Spring)
Recommended General Education courses: RESECON102/ECON 103 (GenEd SB) RESECON 263 Natural Resource Economics (GenEd SB) Recommended Business electives: RESECON 162 Consumer in Our Society (no prerequisites) RESECON 262 Environmental Economics (online) MANAGEMENT 241 New Venture Creation MANAGEMENT 301 Principles of Management (online) RESECON 314 Financial Analysis for Consumers and Firms (prereq RES ECON 102/ECON 103 AND MATH 127, 10 seats available for non-Resource Economics majors) RESECON 324 Small Business Finance (Prereq. RESECON 102/ECON 103 AND RESECON 314) ACCOUNTG 221 Principles of Financial Accounting (online) MARKETING 301 Fundamentals of Marketing (online) Additional Electives: ANIMLSCI 398S - Equine Enterprise I (Fall) 3 credits Management and operation of the Equine boarding facility at the UMass Hadley Farm. Development of Standard Operating Procedures, cash flow statements, purchasing and ordering of supplies, delegation and supervision of labor, and appropriate client communication. Required weekly meetings and student committee assignments. Lab time includes weekly shifts at the facility. ANIMLSCI 498S - Equine Enterprise II (Spring) 3 credits - Continuation of Equine Enterprise I. Capstone experience will focus on improvements and efficiency of the equine boarding operation at the UMass Hadley Farm, weekly evaluation of strengths and weaknesses, client feedback, and marketing of the business. Required weekly meetings and student committee assignments. Lab time includes weekly shifts at the
facility.End of semester student presentations of a comprehensive annual report. Prereq. ANIMLSCI 398S STOCKSCH 105 - Soil (3 credits), pre-requisite for STOCKSCH 350 (Spring) STOCKSCH 201 - Equipment Operations 2 credits (Spring) STOCKSCH 211 - Pasture Management 3 credits (Fall) STOCKSCH 350 - Sustainable Soil & Crop Management 3 credits (Fall)
First Year Seminar -Horses in a Global Society - Through an interdisciplinary and historical lens, students delve into the domestication and interdependence of horses and people, the changes and patterns over time, and the resulting implications for the equine industry and the quality of life for horses, people, and the planet. Students enrolled in this RAP will live together in Dwight House in the Northeast residential area.
Hunter Seat Equestrian Team (IHSA) – The UMass Equestrian Team is a co-ed intercollegiate team. The team rides at the Umass Hadley Farm and competes in five show per semester, including invitational tournaments. Competitions are split into eight levels ranging from beginner walk-trot to open, with riders competing on the flat and over fences. Coach: Jillianne Smith jrsmith [at] umass.edu
Dressage Team (IDA) – The UMass Dressage Team is a co-ed intercollegiate team and has four shows per semester. Competitions are split into four levels ranging from intro to first level. The Dressage Team is a registered student organization at UMass and rides at Muddy Brook Farm in Amherst. Coach: Kathy Roberts muddybrookfarm [at] comcast.com
Western Team (IHSA) - The UMass Western Team is a co-ed intercollegiate team and has four shows per semester.
Veterinary and Animal Sciences