I went to Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA with a double major in Equine Science and Equestrian Studies (and a minor in French with a focus on the French revolution- because that are went together right haha)
Equine Science- mandatory 2x’s week lessons (I was in their advanced program so had some pretty awesome instructors), anatomy/ physiology, nutrition, etc
Equestrian Studies- teaching (basically we were taking the same courses as a school teacher would take), psychology, etc
The programs kind of crossed over with one another in taking accounting classes, computer stuff, business classes.
Honestly it was pretty well rounded
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I got an associates in Agriculture, a BA in Professional Writing that would’ve been Journalism had the college not dropped the program right as I enrolled (and failed to tell me until like, oh, two weeks before classes started. 
) and while studying for my ag degree took a few electives in graphic design. Oh and I was a band geek and horse girl growing up - how’s THAT for a combo. 
(doesn’t top yours, I’ll say but)
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I did a two-year Equine Business Management Diploma. The program was great - accounting, business management and marketing as well as all the equine science courses. I learned a lot that has been really valuable to help me provide top notch care to my horses and my few boarders but I did not pursue a career in the equine industry because, as beowulf stated, you can’t make money in the industry unless you start out with a lot of money. I am really glad I went though, because I knew I wanted to have horses for all my life and it gave me the education I needed to take great care of them. Mostly it taught me to ask questions and research rather than always immediately following the advice of those around me.
One thing I did not like about the program was that it was set up in a way that encouraged hierarchy and power struggles among the students, which is a huge problem in the industry already. We were also penalized if we used our judgement to give the horses the proper care when the owner instructions were detrimental to the horse. I understand that they were preparing the students to go work at barns where they were to do what they are told, but there is no circumstance under which I am going to turn out a heavily over-blanketed horse into a pen without water for 6 hours. I got sent to the program head’s office for refusing to do that, and other similar things.
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Jesus…I’d have refused too. And they’d be lucky if I didn’t try to kick up a bigger fuss about it somehow. And no one working in a professional barn would ever meekly do as they’re told to that degree (or maybe I just wouldn’t last two minutes in a professional fancy-pants barn run by idiots b/c I wouldn’t meekly and subserviently do exactly as I’m asked when it’s something that ridiculous. Or really do anything that didn’t seem quite right without asking why.)
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I am really glad I went though, because I knew I wanted to have horses for all my life and it gave me the education I needed to take great care of them.
So, curious @Weezer; prior to going to school for this degree, what was your level of participation with horses?
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I had been taking riding lessons, leasing horses and helping out in the barns my whole childhood and I had three horses at home for a few years before I went to college. The main reason I went to equine college was to figure out whether I was going to commit my life to horses or get out. I loved my two years there and it solidified my commitment to a horse-centric life.
Before college, I didn’t have a lot of exposure to first aid, medical conditions, and nutrition and the college gave me a great foundation for all that. Not only was the curriculum good, but it was a great opportunity to learn from other people’s experiences. I gained a lot of theoretical and practical experience that has helped me over the 15 years since I graduated. The business side of my diploma was great too and I have applied that in my career. I didn’t take the riding program at the college because I had no interest in becoming a professional rider. I think I chose wisely there.
I also took a couple farrier courses and that has been very beneficial to my horses and the horses boarded at my place because lots of horse owners don’t know much about hoof physiology. I have been able to help several horses get better hoof care.
I took some breeding courses and foal training and learned that I do not enjoy working with foals at all. Learning that without buying my own foal has saved me a lot of grief, I’m sure!
I am convinced that the horses in my care are much better off for my time in college, however I have not earned any money from what I learned there. I went to university after so I could get a government job with pay and benefits that would support a horse farm lifestyle. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
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