I’m struggling big time deciding on a college. I have done A LOT of research, & haven’t found a school I love. I know that I am extremely picky. I am graduating HS this June. I want to study equine management or equine studies. I would much rather go for an associates degree or certificate program compared to a bachelors. I am currently in Michigan but I DO NOT want to live in any area that has snow, due to a car wreck and my extreme allergy to cold (cold urticaria) I CAN NOT be in an area with snow, I can not be out in the cold for more than a couple seconds and I cannot drive in it thanks to my anxiety. I know that limits my options A LOT. I would prefer to be in Southeast US, but Southwest might be doable. I have lots of horse experience, ridden for 4+ years and grew up around harness racing horses. I would like to become a riding instructor for either a very large show barn, or open my own barn. I have done deep research and applied for Meredith Manor in West Virginia and planned to attend there and somehow deal with the cold and snow, but then I heard all the awful horror stories. I do not want to have to take a ton of classes I do not need, and I want lots of riding time. Another picky detail, but I cannot live on campus. I have an anxiety service dog and a boyfriend moving with me. However, if the college is perfect I will figure out a way around on campus housing. Also, does anyone think that I should just do a long internship or apprentice instead of college? I have talked to a few people who suggest an apprentice or long internship.
Do a working student position though a boyfriend and a dog will massively complicate that too. Then get an online business management associates.
What is your riding and showing experience?
I am not aware of ANY college “horse” programs that turn out students ready to head their own show / training barns. (and good choice on deciding not to go to Meredith Manor!)
There have been many threads on this - your best bet to make your dream a reality (in my opinion at least) would be to get a working student position with the best trainer that will accept you, and peruse a degree in teaching, or business.
I ride in pretty much every discipline and have been for a long time, but I mostly do english and jumping. I have only showed once though, but I shadow my riding instructor a lot and help at shows. I’m having a really hard time finding people wanting a working student position that will pay. Any websites you’d suggest? Thanks!
Yard and Groom.
My trainer went to Centenary College in New Jersey, which is pretty much the opposite of what you’re looking for (4 year program, cold and snowy). She had a solid practical riding education before that, with competition experience that was not EXTENSIVE but certainly got her started. She now has a bachelor’s in equine studies with a minor in English lit.
She has said that her college experience broadened her riding education (she was purely jumpers and a little eq before arriving, but gained solid dressage and hunter experience, and even tried out a few other disciplines for fun), and provided more saddle time that improved her riding overall, but she had a good base to start with. It didn’t teach her how to train a horse – she got that from internships, working student positions, and eventually being thrown into the fire as the trainer at my barn two years after she graduated.
She has said that many of her classes gave her a good education for how to teach PEOPLE, and that made a huge difference. I have noticed that she is much better than other trainers I’ve had at finding alternate ways to explain things to her students. She understands how to deal with different learning styles, which isn’t always a natural ability for trainers. She also took business classes and competed on the school’s IHSA team, both of which have served her well as a pro. And it was through the connections she made that she got to work with some very big names after graduation.
But in my mind, the reason the bachelor’s was so smart for her is that if (God forbid) something happens and she can’t ride anymore or needs to take a break from training, she has something to fall back on. It seems like having a horse-related associate’s won’t open as many doors if you really get in a tight spot. I think you should consider apprenticeship/working student/internship opportunities or take the plunge and get a bachelor’s, but that’s just me.
You aren’t going to find many paid working student positions. Think of it like college tuition. Your hard work in exchange for an education.
To become a trainer in most disciplines, you are going to need extensive experience showing at the “rated” levels (be it recognized three day events, “A” hunter jumper shows, top breed shows).
I landed my working student position first through my connections in Pony Club - “big name” local eventing trainer started teaching occasional lessons to my club. I then started taking lessons from her privately ($$). I showed that I was willing to work HARD and to do what ever she wanted around the stable (be it muck stalls, clean tack, turn out horses etc).
Then we worked out a situation where I was at the barn from 7 am to 7 pm 5 days a week - doing chores, learning, and eventually riding a TON (5+ horses a day, 8+ lessons a week).
I paid full board, and my lessons were free in exchange for the work I did around the stable.
The invaluable experience I received through her mentoring, and handling / riding so many different horses (from straight off the track greenies, to imported high dollar horses, to horses competing at the advanced level) was free.
From there - I worked out a similar situation with a Hunter Jumper barn (as jumpers were a better fit for my horse, and I was ready to learn from someone new).
This whole time, like you, I had my sights set on eventually becoming a trainer.
AND - experiencing the “professional life” from the inside - the schedules, the client pressures, the show circuits, the tight margins, riding because you HAVE TO, not because you want to, NEVER going on vacation, putting other’s horses and their desires before your own…
Well, all of that taught me a professional trainer was NOT what I wanted to be.
Instead, I went to college, kept causally training horses on the side. Got my degree, got a job - and really ENJOY having my horse and riding… and having a “regular” job, with a DEPENDABLE pay check, and health care, and other things that allow me to own and ride my horse with less stress.
Please take this kindly, because it isn’t intended to be harsh, although I have a feeling it will sound that way.
You have a LOT going on. You have health issues, both mental and physical. Those health issues present pretty significant limits to where you can be geographically. You have very high hopes for what are very basic degrees. You aspire for positions/careers that are not feasible given the kind of post-HS education you are looking at. You also don’t actually sound like you have “lots of experience” in horses: been around them for a while and ridden for a few years, perhaps.
I will give you that you seem very enthusiastic, and come across as a hard worker and someone who is willing to put in the time. So, with that in mind:
If your aspirations are to train or board, get a business degree, online might be your best fit. Do not get an equine related degree. BTDT, have the Bachelor’s degree in Equine/Agribusiness Management. It will not get you where you want to go based on what you’ve said here.
Doing the online route will allow you to move to where you need to in order to accommodate your health issues. It will also allow you to choose a horse-heavy area. Places on the east coast are rich horse country, and rich show country. You can find tons of working student positions, and train with someone who can give you the experience you need in whatever aspect of the industry you want to go into.
I will be frank, no matter where you go, whether it’s the full blown college route or the route I’ve outlined above, you will not get tons of riding time right off. Accept that. No college I’ve heard of has the horses, staff or time to allow students more than a lesson or two a week. Very few barns will allow you to be getting on horses all day, every day. If you’re lucky, you may get lessons on an experienced schoolmaster, or even a horse to bring along under the supervision of a trainer, but those opportunities are rare and generally come after you’ve worked a while and proved yourself competent.
You also are unlikely to find working student positions that given fantastic pay. Minimum wage, maybe. 10 bucks an hour if you’re fortunate. The point of these positions is to gain experience, which is what you will need going forward.
You need to be willing to work your butt off, do the grunt work, and prove yourself over a period of time. You need to be open minded, willing to take the good and the bad, listen and take good direction.
Think hard about what’s realistic, what’s reasonable, and what is the best direction to get you where you want to BE, even if it doesn’t seem perfect right NOW.
No trust me I don’t take it harshly. 
I really really appreciate the criticism. I know it sounds like I am looking for a unicorn college lol!
I don’t have a lot of showing experience myself, but my father and grandfather are both jockeys, trainers, and owners of harness racing standardbreds, so I have literally been around horses and have been handling horses since I was born. I’ve taken riding lessons twice a week (of course missing a few here and there) for the past 4 1/2 years and I trail ride almost everyday during spring-fall. I’ve helped break quite a few horses too. But as far as showing or managing a barn myself, no I don’t have that type of experience. So that’s why I do think a working student position would be extremely beneficial for myself. Its more my parents that think I need a college degree. I also do online school right now, so I’ve already thought of doing business classes online and working/interning. I would like to give lessons and either manage or own a stable. I’m not looking for tons of pay, if I wanted that I would have picked a different path. I definitely am willing to work my butt off and I know it’ll take awhile before I could even think of opening my own business. But, based on all that I’ve said, you think that it is better to move to a highly horse populated area, get a working student position, while taking business classes online?
Cal Poly Pomona in the LA area has an animal science business major with an emphasis on equine management. They raise arabian horses and you can get involved with that program if you try out and make the cut which is not easy. They also have a horse judging team that the school pays to fly you to competitions like quarter horse world and arab nationals. Of course I went to undergrad back in the 80’s but I’m pretty sure the programs are still going strong.
Cal Poly SLO does quarter horses and Fresno State does quarter horse, TB and has an interest in Hackneys. I don’t know details of those programs but you can check the websites.
These are all four year colleges but I would highly encourage you to get a 4 year degree.
Might also check out Feather River College in Quincy, CA. I don’t know alot about it, but they do have a great horse sale every year that their students start … and have some equine degrees/certificates.
I echo what Abbie said- you have a LOT going on. You said your boyfriend is coming with you- what does he do? How will he support himself? Can he support himself wherever you end up? Your anxiety service dog- will he be with you at the barn all the time?
Many working student positions offer free housing as a way to pay you less- this will greatly limit your options if you have 1) a dog 2) a boyfriend who need to live with you.
If you are unable to drive, how do you expect to get to work? How do you expect to drive a trailer full of horses if you end up becoming a trainer?
[QUOTE=MorganHeflin;7983829]
But, based on all that I’ve said, you think that it is better to move to a highly horse populated area, get a working student position, while taking business classes online?[/QUOTE]
If I were in your shoes, yes, that’s the path I’d go if possible.
If your parents are horse people, I would expect they would appreciate that those in the horse industry rarely get ahead because of a college degree. I’d go so far as to say that in this day in age, you don’t NEED a college degree to be successful. What you DO need is a well thought out plan of how to get where you want to be, whether or not that involves college.
But of course, all of this is only possible if you can support yourself during this time. Or if you have the support of your parents, boyfriend, etc. It’s not an easy path, by any means, but it will most assuredly get you closer to where you want to be than a college degree will.
My parents (and actually my college roommate’s parents…) were both of the opinion that some sort of degree is needed just in case! I graduated with an Equine Management Degree, but quickly discovered there not that many jobs available. So, I took a job as a file clerk. I was able to get that job because I already had a business degree.
Horses may not always work out. My goal before college was to run a barn and I quickly discovered that I didn’t know what I didn’t know. And that was okay because I had help and support to learn.
If you just want any ol’ degree, then online can be a way to go. However, I know my college specifically helped place people in amazing equine positions and exposed them to everything possible to get them ready.
But you have to do what’s best for you. Hate to break it to you though, it can snow almost anywhere. Although, in North Carolina literally no one goes out if there is a threat of snow so you’re pretty much safe from having to drive anywhere :lol:
[QUOTE=DaniW;7983840]
Cal Poly Pomona in the LA area has an animal science business major with an emphasis on equine management. They raise arabian horses and you can get involved with that program if you try out and make the cut which is not easy. They also have a horse judging team that the school pays to fly you to competitions like quarter horse world and arab nationals. Of course I went to undergrad back in the 80’s but I’m pretty sure the programs are still going strong.
Cal Poly SLO does quarter horses and Fresno State does quarter horse, TB and has an interest in Hackneys. I don’t know details of those programs but you can check the websites.
These are all four year colleges but I would highly encourage you to get a 4 year degree.[/QUOTE]
Yup. I have a friend who graduated from this program at Cal Poly Pomona. She too wants to start a training business but she’s finding herself having to put horses away for now as she sorts out the rest of her life and focuses on her job (not horse related).
Since you have lots of experience handling horses and horses on the track - have you thought about thoroughbred farms in KY? I don’t mean to be unkind - but your h/j experience is pretty limited compared to many people that might be applying for the same position. Best of luck with whatever you decide!
In weighing your options, it’s worth noting that colleges tend to be much more forgiving about anxiety and health issues than employers.
One of the nice things about college for some people is that it gives them time to work on personal, emotional and support-related issues in a ‘safe space’ before entering the working world.
I’m over-educated for my current work, to be honest, but I totally think that not going to college and pursuing a working student position is a valuable path for some if not many but it sounds like seriously considering college and maybe doing low-paid/ unpaid part-time volunteer work at a barn to get experience might be a better option for you, given your needs right now.
It does sound like you have had some great experiences and responsibilities but a college would give you a chance to hone your skills as well as more job flexibility. (Of course, you can always attend college after working for a year, preferably living at home and saving $).
I certainly could not have transitioned straight from high school to full-time work and adult responsibilities, even if I had been inclined to do so!
Baylor apparently has a very good equestrian team (I just noticed that school posting its results for the season in my Facebook feed). And it’s located in a warm state!
[QUOTE=Impractical Horsewoman;7983917]
I certainly could not have transitioned straight from high school to full-time work and adult responsibilities, even if I had been inclined to do so! [/QUOTE]
I just graduated college and am still not ready to be an adult!
Check out West Texas A & M in Canyon Tx. They have NCAA and IHSA teams, a variety of majors, a nice little campus and super nice people. Texas tuition is fairly reasonable as well.
New Mexico State also has an equine program.
If you are looking for a two year program, Northeast Oklahoma A&M is am option. It is a Jr college but the Jr colleges in Oklahoma are much larger than the ones in other states. They have a large student body, true campus with dorms and large sports programs.
Another closer but snowy and smaller school would be Blackhawk East in Illinois. It is a Jr college.
Larger schools you should also look into are Murray State in Murray Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro Tennessee. MTSU has very nice facility and Murray is nothing to scoff at either.
Maybe look into Savannah College of Art and Design. Virtually any college is going to require freshman to live on campus, but they may be accommodating about your dog, at least.
Many of the best equine programs are competitive to be accepted and you will be against riders with 10+ years of riding and showing experience. I would not, personally, be looking to limit myself to the pro route with four years of experience (then again, I’m not looking to go the pro route with 12 years of experience :lol:). Maybe consider a more traditional school, it will be easier to find one that meets your other needs, with a good riding program. That way, you can easily explore all of your options
