A friend of mine would like to send her daughter to a Canadian college for equestrian studies. Does anyone have any feedback on any of the programs? Many thanks!
Olds College ( in Olds, Alberta just north of Calgary) is great! Though it has changed a fair bit since I was there so not sure how the program is structured now.
I did equine business diploma which was great. Literally a business degree with all of the equine courses as well. Very hands on, small classes ( 10 people per major), teachers were great. Worked with industry owned horses ( aka students had to communicate with horse owners on horse care). Students managed the breeding and riding barns.
Breeding major you work with industry owned breeding stallions and mares for breeding/foaling out.
Riding majors I didn’t do much with but same deal really.
Very competitive to get in because they only take 10 per major. Grades, volunteer hours and practical test all combined to make it into program.
Seems to have a good reputation with the industry for producing good well rounded students.
The one down in Ontario- Guelph maybe was the only other one that was comparable but I think it was alot less hands on.
P.
I also went to Olds College. The infrastructure has improved immensely since I attended. I took the production and breeding major.
Guelph University has a college program for equine studies. I believe part of the program takes place in Kemptville (near Ottawa), Ontario and the rest in Guelph, Ontario.
A friend of mine is participating in this program and really likes it!
https://www.kemptvillec.uoguelph.ca/programs/equine/diploma/equine-care-and-management
https://www.uoguelph.ca/oac/future-students/equine-management
Not equestrian studies per say, but the University of Alberta has a BSc in animal health with a companion and performance animal major. Granted not sure what you do with that unless you are pre-vet or hoping to go to grad school after. The profs are pretty good, and you get the selection of classes that a large university offers. It’s also a full science degree so that is helpful.
[QUOTE=adult_ammy;8029607]
Guelph University has a college program for equine studies. I believe part of the program takes place in Kemptville (near Ottawa), Ontario and the rest in Guelph, Ontario.
A friend of mine is participating in this program and really likes it!
https://www.kemptvillec.uoguelph.ca/programs/equine/diploma/equine-care-and-management
https://www.uoguelph.ca/oac/future-students/equine-management[/QUOTE]
I don’t know if it has been resolved yet, but there is a good possibility that Kemptville will be no more in the near future. Also, around here the program means nothing. Most barns would rather real-world experience than a piece of paper.
[QUOTE=CruzN;8030580]
I don’t know if it has been resolved yet, but there is a good possibility that Kemptville will be no more in the near future. Also, around here the program means nothing. Most barns would rather real-world experience than a piece of paper.[/QUOTE]
Oh no! I didn’t realize it may be closing in the future 
Sorry about that!
[QUOTE=CruzN;8030580]
I don’t know if it has been resolved yet, but there is a good possibility that Kemptville will be no more in the near future. Also, around here the program means nothing. Most barns would rather real-world experience than a piece of paper.[/QUOTE]
Same. In my area, that piece of paper from Kemptville will probably keep you from getting a job. I have quite a few friends and close aquaintances that went there. They said they learned more at summer camp as a kid.
Thanks for the feedback! I didn’t realize how sparse the options were when it comes to “horsey school” in Canada. I took a 2-year course at Humber College called Equine Studies waaaay back when, I think my friend was hoping to find something similar for her daughter.
