The State University of New York at Cobleskill (SUNY Cobleskill) is committed to nurturing scholarship in all students by challenging them, then providing each individual student with the support to meet those challenges.
Here at SUNY Cobleskill Equine Studies students have the best of both worlds. With approximately 75 students pursing equine studies at either the associate or bachelors level we offer an intimate setting where the professors know you by first name while our Equestrian Center, with its new state-of-the-art stables, indoor riding arena, multiple outdoor arenas and miles of pastures and trails affords students the absolute finest in facilities. Offering training, breeding, lessons, clinics and camps to the public, the Center allows students to gain hands-on real world experience in the operation of a major equine business and facility.
At SUNY Cobleskill you can prepare for graduate study in areas like horse behavior, nutrition, physiology, veterinarian science or education. Or, our bachelor and associate degree programs will prepare you for an immediate and successful career in the equine industry in:
- Horse Farm Management
- Thoroughbred Management
- Breeding Farm Manager
- Riding Instructor
- Equine Agribusiness
- Entrepreneurship
- Performance Horse Training
- Equine Studies Teacher / Professor
- Trainer
- Therapeutic Riding Instructor
- Equine Show/Event Manager
- Stable Manager
- Exercise Physiologist
- Equine Researcher
- Finance
- Sales
- Bloodstock Agent
- Exercise Rider
- Jockey
- Farrier
- Feed Company Representative
Bachelor of Technology in Animal Science
The Bachelor of Technology in Animal Science Equine Advisement Track is designed to offer students the opportunity to develop advanced skills in the areas of equine science, competition and business management. Students entering the program will build on a strong background from a two-year program and previous competitive experiences. The program is planned for students with a career goal of working in the horse industry. This concentration will offer the opportunity to expand on the student's previous background and to increase the scope of knowledge and skills necessary to effectively perform in a wide variety of equine-related careers. Courses include:
- Equine Behavior
- Advanced Equine Reproduction
- Equine Exercise Physiology
- Therapeutic Riding Instruction
- Advance Riding Techniques
- Parasitology.
For a complete listing of courses in the area, click here
Bachelor of Technology in Agricultural Business with an Equine Business Management Advisement Track
The program concentrates on business management aspects of the agricultural industry ranging from providing supplies and services to on-farm production. Agricultural business" or "agribusiness" describes the total agricultural industry in the United States . Business activity in agriculture ranges from providing supplies and services to farmers through the actual on-farm production of food and fiber, to the processing and distribution of those products.
The Equine Business Management field of study is the typical path for two-year agricultural majors to follow in attaining a bachelor's degree. This broad-based program provides enough flexibility to allow each student to custom design a truly unique educational experience, yet retains the essential knowledge base which ensures successful attainment of long-term goals. These goals may include graduate study, employment in an agribusiness or self employment.
Courses include:
- Equine Farm Analysis
- Financial Management
- Marketing
- Agricultural Economics
- Farm Appraisal
- Environmental Issues in Agriculture.
For a complete listing of courses in the area, click here.
Associate in Applied Science in Equine Studies
While earning your associate's degree, you'll study Equine Health, Equine Behavior
Training, Breeding, Nutrition and Forage Management. Additional coursework
options include:
- Dressage and Jumping
- Tackless Training
- Equine Health
- Reining
- Driving
- Eventing
- Conventional and Therapeutic Riding Instructor Courses
Students are encouraged to elect an area of study in one of the four fields listed below.
Horse Farm Management
A Grass Roots Approach
This curricular offering provides a broad-based approach to horse farm management. Suggested electives include additional course work in agricultural business, agricultural engineering, and in plant science. The student receives classroom and hands-on experience in building farm structures, determining and maintaining soil fertility, growing field crops, agricultural business management, and the operation of field farm machinery and tractors.
Performance Horse Training
Equine Training Through Applied Science
This curricular area offers the student a diverse and thorough science-based approach to horse training. Course work in physiology, reproduction, conventional and alternative training methodologies, agricultural business principles, and equine health are supplemented and enhanced by opportunities available through the Student Horseman's Club, and the Intercollegiate Riding Teams, including the Dressage Team, the Hunter Seat Equitation Team, and the Stock Seat Team.
Therapeutic Riding
Meet the Challenge
This curricular offering centers around SUNY Cobleskill's community-based assisted intervention program. Students gain practical experience by assisting the riding instructor and/or therapist while they use the horse to enhance physical, emotional, social, language, or cognitive development of children with special needs. Therapeutic riding is a dynamic field of study and is experiencing significant growth and development of new opportunities.
For a complete listing of courses in these areas, click here.
Associate in Applied Science in Thoroughbred Management
Bridging the Saratoga-Lexington Connection
SUNY Cobleskill's Thoroughbred curricula was developed in cooperation with the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc., and is immersion intensive, with industry experience and the development of contacts as a definitive objective. The Saratoga Race Course offers superior racing, and advantage is taken of SUNY Cobleskill's proximity to the track. Students spend one morning a week during their first semester at the well-known Oklahoma Training Track. In addition, the summer between the student's first and second year of study is spent working at the Saratoga Race Course. Finally, the fourth semester of study is completed on location in Lexington , Kentucky . Students are enrolled in the Kentucky Equine Management Internship program. Students in the Thoroughbred Management Program can participate in:
- Thoroughbred Management Internships
- Saratoga Summer
- Bloodstock Sales Experiences
- Thoroughbred Training.
For a complete listing of courses in the area, click here.