Equine Studies - Miles Community College

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Students seeking admission into this program (a limited number of students are accepted) will apply to MCC and submit a short video of him/herself riding and working on the horse(s) he/she plans to bring to the MCC Equine Program. Equine faculty members will review videos regarding each applicant's riding skills and horses' appropriate levels for entrance into the Equine program. Those students who are not at the level to start the program can come to MCC and major in A.S. General Education or related areas, such as Animal Science or AgriBusiness and take EQUH 110 Western Equitation, to learn the basics of riding prior to re-applying to the Equine program. Only students admitted into the program will have stable space (two stalls maximum) at the MCC facilities and be eligible to take the EQUH courses.

Associate of Applied Science
Equine Studies

This two-year degree is designed to give students a foundation in natural horsemanship and the ability to apply that knowledge in a practical manner to train working horses. Graduates will be prepared for a career in equine business and management, colt training, assistant trainer and facilities management, or allied industries such as feed, tack and equipment sales. The program is designed to give a broad base for any equine field. Internships are encouraged and will be available within all the different disciplines.

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Program Guide

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A.A. Equine Management A.S. Livestock Management A.S. Pre-Veterinary

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Required Core - 60 Total Credits

First Year - Fall Semester (15) Credits
AGSC 101 AGSC 101 - Intro to Ag & Env Resources This course is an overview of the agriculture industry and includes discussion of careers and training or degree programs required for employment in agriculture.	Intro to Ag & Env Resources (1)
EQUH 155 EQUH 155 - Introduction to Natural Horsemanship The student will gain an understanding of the basic concepts of horsemanship first in ground work, and then riding. The student will learn and implement a number of basic maneuvers to achieve the horse’s confidence and respect from the ground. Students will learn to read the horse’s body language and basic safety. Then, the student will learn safe and efficient saddle techniques, and how and when to safely mount the horse. In the saddle, the student will learn the fundamentals of rein position and will be able to control the horse in all three gaits (Walk, trot, and canter.)	Introduction to Natural Horsemanship (3)
BIOB 101 BIOB 101 - Discover Biology This course is a review of the fundamental principles concerning plant and animal life. Covering topics on the structure and physiology of cells, genetics, reproduction and the diversity of life found in plants, animals, and microorganisms, including their ecological relationships. Co-requisite BIOB 102 Discover Biology Lab.	Discover Biology (3)
BIOB 102 BIOB 102 - Discover Biology Laboratory The laboratory exercise will relate to the fundamental principles of biology discussed in BIOB 101 Discover Biology. Co-requisite BIOB 101 Discover Biology.	Discover Biology Lab (1)
EQUS 101 EQUS 101 - Introduction to Equine Studies The horse has served humanity for centuries in many different ways. Today, the horse serves primarily as a source of pleasure in technologically advanced nations, but it still serves as a beast of burden and for draft power in underdeveloped countries. This course will give the student an overview of equine health that will provide a basis for subsequent more practical and scientifically based courses. In this class, we will look at the evolution and behavior of the horse, the history of horsemanship, contemporary breeds and their uses, selection of an appropriate horse (including conformation and pre-purchase examinations), and insights into career avenues within the equine industry.	Introduction to Equine Studies (4)
ANSC 100 ANSC 100 - Introduction to Animal Science This course is an introduction to fundamental physical and biological phenomena forming the basis of animal science in agriculture.	Intro to Animal Science (3)

First Year - Spring Semester (15) Credits
EQUS 102 EQUS 102 - Horse Conformation and Selection This course will cover basic conformation while stressing the importance of form to desired function. Co-requisite: EQUS 103 Horse Conformation and Selection Lab.	Horse Conformation (2)
EQUS 103 EQUS 103 - Horse Conformation and Selection Lab The students will understand horse conformation and demonstrate selection skills through a judging format that includes giving written and verbal reasons. Students will also learn professional conduct at horse shows and other related equine events. Co-requisite: EQUS 102 Horse Conformation and Selection.	Horse Conformation Lab (2)
EQUH 130 EQUH 130 - Hoof Care Science This is designed for horse owners interested in doing light barefoot maintenance or trimming on their own horses. Students will recognize the goals of hoof care and basic anatomy and biomechanics of the horse foot, as well as how to evaluate the horse movement and gait for proper training. Co-Requisite: EQUH 131 Hoof Care Science Lab.	Hoof Care Science (1)
EQUH 131 EQUH 131 - Hoof Care Science Lab After recognizing the movement and gait patterns of the horse, students will learn to approach the horse and use proper farrier/trimmer positioning to make the animal comfortable. The student will then use farrier and hoof care tools to exfoliate the foot/sole before completing hoof mapping and trimming on several different horses. Co-Requisite: EQUH 130 Hoof Care Science.	Hoof Care Science Lab (1)
EQUH 252 EQUH 252 - Natural Horsemanship: Building a Relationship This course will take the student to a new level of communication with the horse by obtaining responses to the slightest pressure without resistance. The student will develop more feel, better timing, and harmony with their horse. The student will learn the concept of impulsion and how to use the reins less and the seat more. The student will continue to learn more about the horse's emotional behavior. Pre-requisite: EQUH 155 Introduction to Natural Horsemanship.	Natural Horsemanship: Building a Relationship (3)
EQUH 253 EQUH 253 - Starting Colts Students will work with at least two different colts starting with ground work and continuing to the use of the saddle. This gives students experience with different horses and attitudes and prepares them to start horses in a realistic situation. Pre-requisites: EQUH 155 Introduction to Natural Horsemanship.	Starting Colts (3)
M 108 M 108 - Business Mathematics This course is a study of math and terminology used by business and industry. The course will begin with a review of the fundamental principles of arithmetic and percentages. Payroll, bank records, interest, notes, discounts, markup, inventory, depreciation, and stocks and bonds will be covered. This course does not fulfill General Education requirements for the AA/AS degree. Prerequisite: appropriate placement score or concurrent enrollment in NC 021 Supplemental Instruction/Academic Support for Mathematics. For those in NC 021, attendance and participation in NC 021 will be reported to your M 108 instructor for consideration in your M 108 grade.	Business Math (3)

Second Year - Fall Semester (15) Credits
EQUH 254 EQUH 254 - Natural Horsemanship: Harmony with your Horse I The student will learn impulsion programs and the different patterns of different gaits. Students will also learn about the importance of seat connection while riding their horse and how to control the speed and direction of the horse while at liberty and online at every gait, and with and without obstacles. Certain exercise patterns will be learned to deal with a particular horse’s impulsion levels. Prerequisite: EQUH 252 Natural Horsemanship: Building a Relationship.	Natural Horsemanship: Harmony With Your Horse I (3)
ANSC 265 ANSC 265 - Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals This course is designed to be an overview of the form (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the normal body of common domestic animals. It will cover: digestion, circulation, production, reproduction and environment of common farm animals. This class is a core class in the Animal Science program and will provide an overview of the terminology of anatomy and insight in to how the healthy body functions. Lab will focus on hands-on application of ANSC 265 primarily through dissections. Pre-requisites: ANSC 100 Introduction to Animal Science and BIOB 101 Discovering Biology or BIOB 160 Principles of Living Systems or BIOB 170 Principles of Biological Diversity. Co-requisite: ANSC 266 Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals Lab.	Functional Anatomy of Domestic Animals (3)
ANSC 266 ANSC 266 - Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals Lab This course is designed to be an overview of the form (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the normal body of common domestic animals. Lab will focus on hands-on application of ANSC 265. Co-requisite of ANSC 265 Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals.	Anatomy of Domestic Animals Lab (1)
ANSC 202 ANSC 202 - Livestock Feeding & Nutrition This course is designed to teach the principles of feeding livestock including: digestive systems, nutrient requirements, nutrient characteristics, and sources utilized in the formulation of balanced rations.	Livestock Feeding & Nutrition (3)
EQUH 165 EQUH 165 - Livestock Handling and Ranch Roping Students will learn how to read and handle livestock in a low stress approach. They will accomplish proper positioning of their horse in a correct manner. They will teach their horses how to read and rate cattle and be able to throw basic loops that would be needed on a ranch. Prerequisite: EQUH 155 Introduction to Natural Horsemanship.	Livestock Handling & Ranch Roping (3)
COMX 106 COMX 106 - Communicating in a Dynamic Workplace Students will study human behavior and personality, self-management, self-development, and elementary business psychology. Classroom focus is on career planning and job search: students will develop skills to prepare resumes, cover letters, and other communications involved in obtaining a job. This class is a requirement for the Professional-Technical programs.	Communicating in a Dynamic Workplace (2)

Second Year - Spring Semester (15) Credits
EQUH 255 EQUH 255 - Natural Horsemanship: Harmony with your Horse II Entering into this course, a student should have a thorough understanding of horsemanship and competence both on the ground and in the saddle. The student will advance the skills, confidence, and respect gained on the ground by creating a stronger connection with the horse through a liberty (bareback) component. In the saddle, the horse and rider will develop more emotional collection, improving impulsion and self-carriage in all three gaits. The combination of the increased ground connection developed through liberty and increased harmony between the horse and rider will prepare them for the next level of refinement. Prerequisite EQUH 254 Natural Horsemanship: Harmony with Your Horse I.	Natural Horsemanship: Harmony II (3)
EQUH 256 EQUH 256 - Developing the Young Horse This course is designed to develop the skills of handling, gentling, saddling, driving, and riding a young horse. Students will design, implement, review, and discuss their training horse program. Positive communication techniques will be used throughout the process. Pre-requisite: EQUH 254 Natural Horsemanship: Harmony with your Horse I.	Developing the Young Horse (3)
AGBE 232 AGBE 232 - Equine Sales and Marketing Students will learn how to prepare a horse for sale. They will also study how to market horses in different venues (production sale, catalog sale, internet, etc.). They will incorporate the use of appropriate periodicals and magazines to target the correct market for their horse and develop marketing materials.	Equine Sales & Marketing (3)
WRIT 121 WRIT 121 - Intro to Technical Writing Introduction to Technical Writing is designed to prepare students for job-related writing. Students learn to communicate information in order to do a job or make a decision. Topics covered include adapting messages to audiences, organizing paragraphs, revising for style, summarizing information, using definitions in reports, outlining, explaining a process, and researching. Specific applications are individualized according to students' career plans and are chosen from several categories, including effective letter writing, short report writing, proposal writing, research writing, and formal report writing from analyzed data. Pre-requisite: WRIT 095 Developmental Writing or appropriate placement on Compass, ACT or SAT examination scores.	Intro to Technical Writing (3)
ACTG 101 ACTG 101 - Accounting Procedures I This course provides fundamental instruction on financial record keeping and basic bookkeeping methods. Topics include implementing the basic accounting equation; using T accounts; preparing and posting journal entries, reversing entries, and closing entries; payroll reporting; compiling income statements, balance sheets, and statements of owner's equity. This course satisfies a core requirement for the AAS degree in Auto Mechanics or Building Technology. In addition, it is an excellent class to prepare students for the Principles of Accounting series.	Accounting Procedures I (3)

Upon completion of this program
graduates will be able to:

Demonstrate how to communicate effectively with their horse and train them to work with livestock;

Start a colt from the ground up;

Evaluate correct and incorrect information pertaining to the equine industry;

Understand basic marketing concepts for a variety of horses;

Demonstrate basic horse care and nutrition;

Demonstrate how to control all the parts of a horse to give the horse a solid foundation to go into any discipline, such as reining, reined cow horse, cutting, versatile ranch horse, roping, and trail horse.

A.A.S. Equine Studies

Required Core - 60 Total Credits