Program

Associate of Applied Science in Wilderness Horsemanship

The horse industry told us what they need in graduates, and we built this program.

• Gain practical experience in working with horses, mules, and people in wilderness settings.
• More than just outfitting and different than winning ribbons

It’s about working with horses…

• Drive wagons through various terrain
• Teach new students riding techniques
• Learn to properly use necessary equipment and repair it if needed

Elective courses offer even more options:

• Equine health care
• Equine massage
• Farrier courses

Program Outcomes

The following outcomes are skills, behaviors, and attitudes cultivated in students seeking the Associate of Applied Science in Wilderness Horsemanship:

• Identify, maintain, and use safety procedures with horses, tack, and related equipment;
• Perform safety inspection procedures in daily operations;
• Properly feed/water horses, groom/bathe horses, and clean stalls;
• Apply knowledge of horse anatomy, conformation and color, health care, teeth identification and floating, and emergency shoeing and trimming;
• Manage horses unmounted, to include leading, tying, trailer loading, transporting, approaching catching, haltering, and ponying;
• Manage horses without assistance while mounting/dismounting;
• Tack and untack properly, to include fit and adjustment;
• Use wilderness riding skills, including packing care of stock, and use of packing equipment;
• Use a computer for word processing and storing of data;
• Communicate professionally with coworkers and with the public;
• Operate and maintain basic maintenance equipment, including chain saw, basic farm equipment, and primitive hand tools;
• Handle horses at walk, trot, canter, and in varying terrain;
• Provide basic horse health care including preventative health care;
• Properly identify feeds and feeding requirements of equine at all ages and levels of performance; and,
• Demonstrate competency in leathercraft and leather repair related to tack.

Curriculum

• 2011 Transition
• 2012 Curriculum

Career Opportunities

Right after graduation, you could become a…

• Riding instructor
• Stable or barn manager
• Outfitter/Packer
• Guide/Wrangler
• Leather worker
• Teamster
• Groomer

In a few years, you could be in a…

• Management position