Equine Studies

In the past ten years, Centenary College has established itself as a national and internationally recognized liberal arts college with an outstanding Equine Studies program. We are acclaimed for the quality of our faculty, the outstanding caliber of our horses, and our excellent Equestrian Center.

More information about the Equine Studies faculty.

Our course of study will train you in a very specific way to become a professional in one or more aspects of the horse industry. Our Equestrian Center location in northwest New Jersey is right in the middle of horse country, and provides access to top quality horses you will not find elsewhere.

More information about the Centenary College Equestrian Center.

Centenary's Riding Program will help you pursue your equestrian skills regardless of your present level or ability. Our students have a number of choices to improve their riding in the disciplines:

• Hunters/Jumpers
• Hunt Seat Equitation
• Dressage

Meet and contact our Equine Admissions Counselor.

More information about Equestrian teams and competitions.

Visit the Equestrian Team and the Equine Student of the Month.

See the Equestrian Team in competition through YouTube.

Grounded in an established yet highly sophisticated approach to equine studies, our program gives every Equine major a firm foundation in stable management, riding technique, teaching philosophies, and hands-on, experience-based learning.

The Equine Studies Department at Centenary College offers a Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies. Students may also choose from one of four areas of concentration:

• Riding Instruction and Training is for students who are interested in working as professional instructors and trainers in the disciplines of hunter seat equitation, hunters, jumpers, and dressage. Students study methods of teaching and training horses, course design, judging, schooling the green or problem horse, and horse show management.
  
  
• Equine Business Management offers a concentration for students seeking business-related careers in the equine field. Courses include business administration, accounting marketing and principles of management.
  
  
• Communication for the Equine Industry is a concentration for students preparing to enter the fields of journalism, photography, mass media, advertising or public relations as they relate to an equestrian career goal. Courses include introduction to journalism, non-fiction freelance writing, photojournalism, advertising and media news writing and public speaking.
  
  
• Equine Science is a concentration for students interested in working at a veterinary clinic, interested in breeding management, or graduate research. Courses include equine first aid, equine systems and disorders, breeding and reproduction, and the equine musculoskeletal system.

A two-year Associate of Science in Equine Studies is also offered, as is an Equine Minor. Students interested in completing the Associate in Science degree in Equine Studies are required to take the first two years of the Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies degree program.

Core Program

The Equine Studies Department at Centenary College offers a Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies. The core of the Equine Studies program focuses on the development of professional technical skills.

Students develop a comprehensive background in equine care and management, riding theory and training concepts, farm facility design and management, equine systems and disorders, nutrition, the musculoskeletal system and its relationship to athletic performance, equine business management, breeding and reproduction, and management of equestrian activities.

All students are required to take the same core courses in their freshman year. In their sophomore year, students their concentration. Students can further expand their equine knowledge by selecting courses from a variety of electives.

The Equine Studies Department offers a number of special programs to expand our students’ academic experiences. These include Internships, Therapeutic Riding Instruction, and the Equine Semester Abroad.

Read scientific articles written by Centenary students and staff.

Learn about opportunities for Experiential Learning in Equine Studies.

Equine Semester Abroad

The Equine Studies Department offers, in conjunction with the Office of International Programs, a 16-credit Semester Abroad for equine majors in either their junior year or the first semester of their senior year. Currently, Centenary provides Semester Aboard studies in Gloucester, England at the University of West England - Hartpury College. Visit the Hartpury College Web site.

The principal program offered is for students wishing to study to take the British Horse Society’s Preliminary Teaching Certification exam, but other programs are available.

Information on these programs can be obtained directly from the Equine Studies Department Chairperson. Students receiving Centenary Scholarship(s) and/or Grant(s) must contact the Financial Aid Office for the details on the limit of Centenary funds a student may receive while studying abroad.

Students must complete a “letter of intent’ and an application at least two semesters before their intended semester abroad to be considered for the Equine Semester Abroad. Approval of both the Equine Studies Department and the Office of International Programs is required.

In order to be eligible for the Equine Semester Abroad Program, it is recommended that students have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.000. However, students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 to 2.99 will be considered for the program on a space available basis. In addition, students must be riding at an intermediate level or above on the flat and over fences to be considered.

Internships

Internship opportunities include working for the United States Equestrian Federation, Breyer Model Horses, Kentucky Equine Management Internship Program, the Chronicle of the Horse, Equine Veterinary Clinics, and with Hunter/ Jumper and Dressage Professionals.

Therapeutic Riding Instruction

Starting in the Fall of 2004, Centenary College opened Therapeutic Riding At Centenary (TRAC), a full service therapeutic riding program serving North and Central New Jersey. TRAC is housed at the Centenary Equestrian Center, Califon Road, Long Valley on Schooley’s Mountain. The College received a grant from the A.K. Starr Charitable Trust to create this program.

Therapeutic Riding Instruction prepares students to take the Registered Instructor examination offered by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).

Course work covers a number of disabling conditions and the theory of how to adapt the riding situation for the individual needs of each client. A two-semester instruction practicum is required to gain the instructional skills needed to meet NARHA’s standards.

Therapeutic horseback riding offers a variety of benefits for children and adults with disabilities. As a physical activity, sitting on a moving horse causes the rider’s upper body to respond to the movement of the horse in a three-dimensional manner. The rhythm of 80 - 100 steps each minute stimulates reflexes and balance reactions in a way that cannot be duplicated by the human therapist.

On the psychological and emotional level, the thrill of being seated on a horse or pony that is trained to respond willingly to the rider’s signals is a powerful benefit. As a form of cognitive therapy, the rider learns to relate to the space of the riding arena including other riders and special equipment, and interact with his horse to navigate safely.

The program is directed by Octavia Brown, Ed.M. associate professor of equine studies at Centenary College. Professor Brown is a North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) Master Instructor. She will be assisted by Karen Bocksel, a NARHA Advanced Instructor and NARHA Region Two Representative.

Download more information about the Therapeutic Riding Program.