"I'm super excited about working for The Oaks Veterinary Clinic, and I can't wait to put my knowledge to a test. I never actually thought that I'd be using the terminology from Animal Science and Equine Health Management on a daily basis. I've had to look through my notes from your classes, and I'm soooooo glad that I have that resource at my fingertips."
-Christina Mathias, 2008 Graduate
Introduction
The
business of equine facility management is multi-faceted. IAA's Equine
Business Management curriculum includes both horse and business courses.
Hands-on required courses such as equine nutrition, health management, and pasture management and hay production are included in the program.
Business acumen is essential to the success of all agricultural enterprises,
including equine businesses. The IAA Equine Business Management program
emphasizes financial and personnel management skills, marketing and business
operations, as well as business management. Students completing the Equine
Business Management curriculum will earn an academic certificate.
Students from the IAA often go on to University
of Maryland, University College (UMUC) to pursue a bachelor's degree
in Management
Studies - most courses taken at the IAA will transfer as electives
if the student is admitted to UMUC. Students applying to the IAA for a Certificate in Equine Business Management must submit a letter of recommendation from an equine industry professional as well as complete an entrance interview prior to admission.
Courses
Students in the Equine
Business Management curriculum will take many courses that
focus on business skills as well as horse-specific courses in nutrition,
reproduction, pasture management, behavior, health, and more. All IAA
courses provide the necessary hands-on learning experiences that will
build sound business expertise as well as excellent horse management skills,
allowing our graduates to excel in a diverse and competitive equine industry.
Parttime enrollment is allowed for students not wishing
to be a full-time student. All equine courses offered by the Institute
of Applied Agriculture are available for continuing education credit.
Call the office for details!
Some courses in the Institute of Applied Agriculture are available as non-credit Online Workshops for students interested in completing single courses. Currently, you may take either Pesticide Use and Safety or Equine Nutrition as an online course during the Spring semester. Upon successful completion of the course (completing all assignments and maintaining an average grade of 70% or higher), students will receive a certificate of completion. Both courses are taught using an internet-based program called Centra Symposium. Enrollees must have high-speed internet access and computer speakers in order to participate. Future plans include offering the Equine Business Management course as an Online Workshop as well. Call the IAA for more details.
Internships
Internships are a required and critical part of the IAA experience,
allowing students first-hand experience in the equine industry. Equine
faculty members at the University of Maryland are dedicated to finding
and/or developing internship opportunities for students within the ANSC
and IAA programs. Many internships are available each year in the horse
industry. Examples of internships include assistant barn manager, riding
instructor, horse breeding technician, therapeutic riding assistant,
equine magazine intern, camp instructors, as well as opportunities at
local race tracks and training facilities. If you own or operate an
equine facility and would be willing to take students as interns, please
call or email Erin Pittman for more details.
Facilities
The University of Maryland is unique in that it is one of the few univiersities
that provides on-campus access to animals for hands-on learning. The
Campus Farm is located a short walk down the hill from Jull Hall and is
equipped with facilities for horses, sheep, dairy cows, pigs, and chickens.
The Campus Farm is currently home to 8 horses.
Extracurricular
Activities
Students at the University of Maryland have the opportunity to participate
in many equine and animal related extracurricular activities including
the Equestrian Club, Equestrian Team, and the Animal Husbandry
Club.
