William Woods University – Equine Studies

Based in Fulton, Missouri, William Woods Varsity is a private 4 year university that’s run with a non-profit motive. The Varsity offers scholars associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees that include one or two exciting options in equine studies.

William Woods Varsity lets students select a major in either of 2 equestrian programs, one of those programs is an Equestrian Science Degree, a 4 year program that entitles successful students to a baccalaureate degree. The primary targets of this programme are scholars fascinated by careers involving horse coaching, teaching of equitation and management of horses. Students taking up this programme are put thru in depth theory in class and practice in the lab and field. Theoretical courses students need to complete include equine nutrition, equine anatomy, teaching techniques, stable management and pony evaluation and selection.

Scholars must also take up one concentration from the 4 riding disciplines on offer at William Woods University: Western, Dressage, Hunter Jumper and Saddle Seat. Aside from their topic of concentration, scholars must also give time over a semester to riding in two other concentrations. Students are also taken to take part in equine shows. While it isn’t mandatory, scholars interested in a coaching or showing career are urged to compete at these shows and gain some valuable experience.

Students are also allowed to do their minor in Equestrian studies.

The second degree program the Varsity offers is its Equine Administration Degree. This program is meant for students interested more in careers in equine related businesses than in training or teaching. Courses are focused on business organization, facility management, breed associations, event coordination and entrepreneurship. Scholars are trained intensively in both theory and application. Course tasks include learning of methods employed by equine as well as facility management, not to mention event and show management. The tasks also include applied riding over a minimum of 3 semesters.

All credits for applied riding given to students are derived from a mix of various riding styles taught here. These include hunter/jumper, dressage, Western and saddle seat. Students need to complete theory courses that include entrepreneurship, economics, law, promotion and PR and taxation. Scholars also need to go in for five additional computer and business classes to round off their curriculum. Students of this program are free to enter horse show competition if they so wish, on the proviso they pay their own costs of entry, stabling, hauling and anything else.

The University is extensive in size and spread of facilities, and provides students with a totally ideal learning environment. The amazing facilities include:

– Four barns, heated, with joint capacity of 150 box stalls

– Two indoor arenas; heated, of 90′ x 220′ and 90′ X 200′

– An outdoor ring, lighted, of 150′ X 250′

– Two study rooms.

– A cross country area of forty acres at the northerly end of the campus.

– 150 horses of show quality

– One trailer with room for 7 horses and 2 more with room for 2 horses

– 8 rooms for tack

– Lockers for scholars

– Laundry

– Offices for faculty

– Cold and hot water at 6 wash stalls

– Regulation (USEF) jumps

– Regulation (USDF) dressage arenas.

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