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Come to the Therapeutic Riding Program's Luncheon on Sept. 6th at the Fidelity Jumper Classic. Click for details.

Equine Program

 

The UNH Equine Program offers a unique and well-rounded program of study to students pursuing a career in the horse industry. The Equine Program's outstanding physical facilities are complemented by a strong, science-based curriculum taught by an experienced and talented faculty.

Students graduating from the UNH Equine Program receive a B.S. in Animal Science with a concentration in Equine Science. The core curriculum of study provides students with a solid background in the biological and equine sciences. Students then choose one of three tracks for career specialization: Equine Management, Therapeutic Riding or Equine Science.

    Style of riding: UNH offers a Dressage and Eventing program, which emphasizes classical training of horse and rider and the balanced seat. Riders may enroll in combined dressage / combined training classes or dressage only classes. ANSC 402 classes are offered for beginning-level to advanced-level riders, as well as a yearlong instructor certification course. Students are grouped according to ability and receive three hours of mounted instruction and one hour of lecture each week. Opportunities exist for students to enroll in a Classical Dressage Experience in Portugal (ANSC 520) to ride Lusitano Stallions with some top European instructors.

    Intercollegiate teams: Students enrolled in Horsemanship are also eligible to compete on the University's two Equestrian Teams. The Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) Team is highly active and competitive, participating in the Northeast region of the IDA, the most competitive region of the country. It is one of the top teams in the region, and has captured many championships. The UNH IDA Team has competed and placed in the National Championships. The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Team competes in hunt seat equitation on the flat and over fences and is very competitive in this region. Although UNH is not a "hunt seat" program, students are encouraged to take advantage of this learning opportunity, and students with a background in hunt seat are able to practice those skills on the team.

Horsemen's Club: A student run club for equine enthusiasts, the Horsemen's Club is involved in a myriad of horse-related social activities including field trips and service projects.

Facilities: All of UNH's equine facilities are conveniently located on the main campus, within a 10-minute walk of the campus center or they may be reached by campus shuttle bus service. Facilities include:

Equines: The University owns approximately 26 school horses to accommodate riders of all abilities in the ANSC 402 Horsemanship classes.

Lecture Series: Each Fall, UNH offers a lecture series for students and community members covering a range of Equine related topics.

a student riding a horse

Competitions: Each year, students have the opportunity to organize and compete in a variety of on-site competitions, including two USEA-recognized Horse Trials, two USDF and USEAq-recognized dressage shows, and an IHSA and IDA intercollegiate show. In addition, the Thompson School hosts the Spring TSAS Combined Tests each April and Animal Science students have the opportunity to compete each Spring in the Little Royal in-hand show for Equines and Dairy. There is also a Jumper Schooling Show series put on by the school teams.

Therapeutic Riding Program: The UNH Therapeutic Riding Program uses the horses and facilities at the University to run NARHA premier accredited lessons for the physically and mentally disabled. Many students and community members volunteer their time to ensure the success of this program which won the 2004 Jansen Award for Excellence as UNH's Community Supporting Organization of the year.

Community Riding Program: Each summer, UNH offers riding lessons from beginner to intermediate level in the UNH Community Riding Program.

Employment: The UNH Equine program primarily employs work study students to work in the barns. Check here for employment opportunities including work-study, internships and all other positions.