Horses need you! Learn how to be there for them – and make a career for yourself –by taking advantage of equine education opportunities at a school, or from the comfort of your home.

Knowledge is power. Whether you want to do the best you can by your backyard buddy, or equip yourself for an equine career, there’s a whole herd of options out there for you. Want to learn about improving the health and welfare of your horse? Or train to be a professional in the horse industry? Perhaps you want to study equine science or business management. Attending conferences or a school is a super fun way to educate yourself. If you’d rather stay home, online courses abound. Here’s a starter list to browse through.*

Online and on-site equine programs and courses

Cazenovia College in New York state has been named one of America’s Best Colleges by US News and World Report for 13 consecutive years. The college offers a Bachelor’s degree in Equine Business Management and a certificate program in Equine Reproductive Management. cazenovia.edu/equine

Delaware Valley University, located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, offers two Bachelor programs: Equine Management and Equine Science. The latter offers a specialization in breeding. delval.edu/equine

Eponaquest in Arizona was founded in 1997 by author, lecturer and horse trainer Linda Kohanov. The center’s offerings include leadership, personal development, equestrian skills and apprenticeships. eponaquest.com

Equine Connection – The Academy of Equine Assisted Learning in Carseland, Alberta was founded in 2009. It offers a unique certification program in Equine Assisted Business Training (EABT). Created using research on how human beings learn and how wild horses communicate, the program focuses on the well-being of the horse and the success of the student during and after completion of certification. To help students create their own flourishing Equine Assisted Learning business, the academy provides business training, marketing to this niche, and teaches how to find and maintain clients. equineconnection.ca

Equine Guelph is a non-profit at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2003, their mission is “serving the horse and its industry through education, research, healthcare promotion and industry development”. Via the Horse Portal (thehorseportal.ca), you can access online health and welfare training, including short three-week courses and 12-week certificate and diploma programs, as well as information on U of G’s academic equine programs at its main campus and satellite campuses. equineguelph.ca

Equinology is a private post-secondary school in California that has been offering individual courses and certification programs for more than 20 years. Small class sizes mean students get customized attention to help them reach their individual goals. The certifications offered include Equinology – Equine Body Worker Qualifications Levels 1 – 3; Master Equinology – Equine Body Worker MEEBW; and Equinology – Equine Myofascial Release Practitioner. Also available are distance study programs in equine nutrition, exercise physiology and more. equinology.com

Holistic Animal Studies provides online courses and/or certifications (with homework assignments) developed by Dr. Angelique Barbara, a Doctor of Chiropractic with additional degrees in Veterinary Science (B.S.), Equine Science (Minor) and Veterinary Pathobiology (M.S.). Offerings include Equine Massage Certification, Kinesiology Taping, Craniosacral Therapy and Animal Neuro-Myofascial Release (ANMR) Technique. holisticanimalstudies.org

Horse Spirit Connections offers certification in Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning (FEEL) at their facility in Tottenham, Ontario. This comprehensive program encompasses personal growth, horse-based activities, intuitive insight, spiritual connection, business development training and more. Advanced and partner programs are also available. horsespiritconnections.com

Johnson & Wales University, located in Providence, Rhode Island, offers three Bachelor programs: Equine Business Management/Non-Riding; Equine Business Management/Riding; and Equine Science. jwu.edu

Lake Erie College offers four majors and a minor at its School of Equine Studies in Painesville, Ohio. Majors include Equestrian Facility Management; Equestrian Teacher/Trainer; Equine Entrepreneurship; and Equine Therapeutic Horsemanship. All students also receive some form of financial assistance. lec.edu

The William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, established in 1951 and located in Chasy, New York, offers a summer program in Equine Management. The Institute conducts research programs that apply basic science to contemporary problems facing the equine industry. One of their areas of focus is equine reproductive management. whminer.org

Northwest School of Animal Massage offers three levels of massage training, including sports/performance and rehabilitation, using a combination of distance learning with a hands-on practical for certification. nwsam.com

The Open College of Equine Studies, based in the UK, offers a variety of distance learning courses that range from basic horse care and management skills to higher education programs in equine sciences. The programs are flexible so students can study part- or full-time, from home or on site. toces.net

Post University, in Waterbury, Connecticut, was established in 1890. It offers a combination of equine, general education and special interest courses. You can do certificate programs, an Equine Studies Bachelor of Science, and enrich your learning by choosing from one of many minors or second majors. post.edu

St. Andrews University is a branch of Webber International University. Located in Laurinburg, North Carolina, it focuses on creating a sense of social and intellectual engagement to empower students to make a difference in the world. Undergraduate majors include a B.S in Equine Science; a B.A in Equine Business Management; and a B.A in Therapeutic Horsemanship. sa.edu/equestrian

Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute offers 300-hour Equine Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced Hands-on Acupressure courses. Successful completion allows students to sit for the national exam given by the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM). animalacupressure.com

The University of Findlay in Ohio was established in 1882 through a joint partnership between The Churches of God, General Conference and the City of Findlay. The University offers Bachelor’s Degrees in Equestrian Studies (English, Western) and Equine Business Management, as well as two associate degrees in Equestrian Studies – one in English Riding Emphasis and the second in Western Riding Emphasis. findlay.edu

The University of South Carolina Aiken offers equestrian opportunities ranging from massage, photography, health and disease management to search and rescue and much more. With a reputation for small class sizes, an accessible faculty and diverse student body, USC Aiken has for the past 15 years been ranked by US News and World Report as one of the top three Public Baccalaureate Colleges in the South. usca.edu/equine

Vermont Tech in Randolph Center, Vermont offers a two-year Associate in Applied Science in Equine Studies. The program is housed at a farm with well-established full-service boarding and a training facility only seven miles from the campus. The AAS can lead to a BS in Applied Business Management (online) or transition into a BS in Diversified Agriculture  vtc.edu

William Woods University offers three Bachelor of Science programs in Equestrian Science, Equine Studies and Equine General Studies. It also offers four certificate programs: Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, Saddle Seat and Western. The university, which prides itself on 100% placement of students after graduation, is located in Fulton, Missouri. williamwoods.edu

Conferences and equine events

Can-Am All Breeds Equine Expo is Canada’s largest equine education and recognition event. It returns to the Markham Fairgrounds in Ontario from April 6 to 8, 2018. canamequine.com

Del Mar National Horse Show in California runs April 17 to May 6, 2018, with a week each for Western, Dressage, and Hunter/Jumper, as well as exhibits. delmarnational.com

Equine Affaire, a massive twice-yearly event encompassing all disciplines, with seminars and multiple buildings of exhibits, has been around since 1993. It takes place in Ohio in the spring (April 12 to 15, 2018) and Massachusetts in the fall (November 8 to 11, 2018).  equineaffaire.com

FEI World Equestrian Games, held every four years, combines eight equestrian World Championship caliber events – Jumping, Dressage, Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining, with demonstrations and exhibits. The 2018 event takes place September 11 to 23 in Mill Spring, North Carolina. tryon2018.com

HIPICO Santa Fe’s 2018 Summer Series, from July 18 to August 12, is an international Hunter/Jumper competition featuring exhibitors, the Art of the Horse fine art show, live music and more. hipicosantafe.com

The Royal Horse Show takes place annually during the Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario. It features Olympians and other top caliber riders and horses competing in Show Jumping, Indoor Eventing and Dressage; a breed barn and other activities; plus exciting entertainment such as the K9-Equine Challenge, which pairs top horses and riders with “superdogs” and handlers in a timed race over jumps against other teams. royalfair.org/horseshow.html

The Western States Horse Expo in California involves three days of clinicians, events and exhibits in a choice of locales. It runs March 9 to 11, 2018 in Pomona and June 8 to 10, 2018 in Sacramento. horseexpoevents.com

*Disclaimer: Equine Wellness does not endorse any of the above courses, training or events. Do your research and you won’t be disappointed!