Saint Mary-of-The-Woods College is a four-year nonprofit college that offers associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees. This private college is for women only and has many different and exciting equine degree programs that prospective students can choose from. Some of the degree programs that Saint Mary-of-The-Woods College has to offer are as follows:
· General Equine Studies Major – This is general equine studies program that gives students a great amount of flexibility to explore many of the different areas of the equine industry. Students, together with their advisors, will choose from a list of electives that place the greatest amount of emphasis on the fields that the student is the most interested in. This is also great for students who have not yet decided what particular field of study they want to pursue because they will be able to explore many different options through courses in equine science, training, riding instruction, stable management and business. Students may choose to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Equine Studies, an Associates Degree in Equine Studies, or to Minor in Equine Studies.
· Equine Training and Instruction Major – This degree program is intended for students who want to pursue a career teaching equation or who want to develop a person training philosophy that can be applied to their own business after graduation. Some of the topics that will be covered in the program are equitation theory, design of an equestrian school, and proper selection and maintenance of school horses. Students who choose to pursue this degree will graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Equine Training and Instruction.
· Equine Business Management Major – This program has been designed for students who are interested in owning or running an equine business. The courses that are required in this program will give students a solid academic foundation and supply them with a great deal of practical experience. This program will give students the opportunity to develop a strong business plan, develop market strategies and management skills and learn the financial and legal issues that are present in the industry today.
· Therapeutic Riding – the “Mounted Miracles” therapeutic riding program was established in 2000 and is dedicated to providing high quality therapeutic horseback riding and horse care activities to individuals with a variety of different ailments. Students are able to help individuals by giving them a sense of independence and at the same time provide them with physical improvements like improving muscle tone, range of motion and coordination.
Students can also join the Saint Mary-of-The-Woods Equestrian Team. This team is part of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association and competes throughout the year in both Western and English events. The team travels to and competes at approximately 20 shows per year. Joining the team is a great option for students who love the thrill of competing at shows, but are not able to own a horse. Horses and riders are randomly paired up by a drawing which allows of the competitors to be on a level playing ground because none of the riders have ever ridden the horse that they are assigned to.
Saint Mary-of-The-Woods College also has an outstanding Equestrian facility with many wonderful features that students can utilize.
· Two barns
· 55 stalls
· 3 tack rooms
· Two restrooms
· Three offices
· Four grooming stalls
· Two wash stalls
· Laboratory building
· 90 x 150 foot indoor arena with bleacher seating area
· Therapeutic riding area
· 150 x 250 foot outdoor arena
· Two story announcer’s building
· Bleacher space
· Six general pastures
· 40 acres of land
A solid equine program and facility. For more great equine discussions on education make sure to visit our vast equine forum at http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineforums were the door is left “wide to open.”
