• Turning Passion into Profession

  We combine a rigorous academic curriculum with experiential learning. Classes including Accounting, Marketing, and Business Law prepare you to enter an industry that rewards business sense. Equine Anatomy and Physiology, Equine Health, Nutrition, and Equine Lameness develop your love of the horse into a marketable trade. We offer extensive riding opportunities in academic classes, private lessons, and intercollegiate riding teams on a variety of horses including upper-level Hunter Derby horses, FEI-level dressage schoolmasters, green-broke horses, and everything in between. Showing opportunities exist on school horses in rated dressage shows, locally rated H/J shows, and other venues. Upon graduation, you will hit the market with a substantial resume that stands out in a crowd

• What makes an LEC graduate successful?

  Our faculty come from the business. Practicing veterinarians, FEI rated judges, professional large-scale facility managers, grooms for Olympic gold medalists, PATH Int’l certified instructors, and trainers with their own clientele draw on their vast wealth of experiences to teach you the hands-on skills crucial to success in the horse world. Additionally, the diversity of experiences taught by our faculty help you learn the flexibility valued by employers. 

Majors Minors and Certificates in Equestrian Studies

Equine Fitness Management & Rehabilitation Concentration

The concentration in Equine Fitness Management and Rehabilitation allows students to pursue instruction in complementary and supplementary modalities related to maintaining healthy performance and restoring and recovering horses from injury. Students will develop skills in current modalities while utilizing their knowledge of equine anatomy and physiology to create a deep understanding of the biomechanical needs of horses across numerous disciplines. Students completing this concentration will be capable of applying their skills to the care and management of horses in various career roles, providing a competitive advantage in the equine industry. Professional certification in equine sports massage and myofascial release will be awarded at graduation with the completion of this concentration.

Equine Studies Minor

When combined with various majors such as communication, biology, marketing, and education, the equine studies minor enhances the scientific and technical knowledge of your chosen field of study with the hands-on practices of horsemanship. Many graduates choose careers in breed or riding discipline associations, equine nutrition and nutraceutical companies, equine specialty marketing firms, and the equine retail market. Students preparing for veterinary medicine often add a minor in equine studies to complement their studies in biology and chemistry.

Riding Instructor Concentration

This concentration develops your ability to devise and adapt teaching strategies to meet the diverse needs of your clients. Develop an ability to assess your students’ physical strength and issues through an understanding of human anatomy and kinesiology as it relates to riding. Learn to adapt horse selection and teaching to accommodate any physical limitations or weaknesses demonstrated by your riders, and work with them to strengthen their body and correct their proprioception. Learn how to engage your riders’ critical thinking and problem solving through effective question and answer techniques while assessing their development through observations of skill advancement. All learned through courses like Psychology, Methods and Materials of Teaching Riding I and II, and 4 or more riding classes at an Intermediate level or higher.

Therapeutic Horsemanship Concentration

The concentration in Therapeutic Horsemanship gives you theoretical knowledge of and practical experience with teaching horsemanship to people with disabilities. Gain insight into the physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and emotional effects of horses on human beings, particularly those people who have special needs or challenges. A 50-hour practical internship under the supervision of a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, (PATH Intl.) certified therapeutic riding instructor is required.