What is the equine-assisted activities and therapies minor?
Equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) are dynamic treatments that focus on the frequent, rhythmic, low-amplitude movement of horses to help individuals achieve specific physical, cognitive, social and emotional goals. The minor in program provides students with exposure to several disciplines within this diverse field. The required courses introduce students to key concepts in equine handling and EAAT, including equine skills and the opportunity to test for PATH International CTRI instructor certification in therapeutic riding.
Why study equine-assisted activities and therapies at UNH?
UNH is one of a handful of PATH Intl. Level III Higher Education Centers. Through the PATH Intl. Premier Accredited UNH Therapeutic Riding Program, undergraduates have the opportunity to work with individuals who have physical, emotional and cognitive disabilities and learn how to create an environment that integrates members of the disabled and able-bodied communities. Students in the program can earn their Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International instructor certification, which enables them to teach at any PATH International operating center in the world. Students have daily opportunities to work with horses in numerous facilities that are located within a 10-minute walk from campus.
Potential career areas
- Counselor for mental health or youth at risk
- Veteran's programming
- Fundraiser
- Nonprofit manager
- Hippotherapy
- Therapeutic riding instructor
- Therapeutic riding center manager
- Volunteer coordinator
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UNH Equine helps state in rescue effortsThe UNH Equine program is helping to rehabilite two rescued ponies, as part of a coordinated effort that included the New Hampshire State Police, Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food and the State Veterinarian.Learn More -
Students work together to prepare for the big eventUNH hosted the USEA/USEF-recognized horse trials on Saturday, September 29, and Sunday, September 30. This is UNH's 47th year hosting the trials.Learn More -
Students volunteer at NEDA for team fundraiserA group of riders from the UNH equestrian team recently volunteered at the New England Dressage Association (NEDA) Fall Festival of Dressage at HITS Saugerties in New York as part of a team fundraiser.Learn More
Curriculum & Requirements
The equine studies minor at UNH will allow you to pursue your interest in horsemanship while also getting an introduction to equine science, equine industry and management, and equine-assisted activities and therapies. You’ll be able to explore equine care and management, equine health, and equine anatomy while also working with horses to develop professional equine skills. Combine this minor with a major such as biology, business, agriculture, or human-service-related fields to expand your possibilities for an equine-related career or further studies.
Students interested in the minor in equine studies should contact Sarah Rigg.
A minor in equine studies consists of a minimum of 20 credits of equine-related animal science courses.
- ANSC 402 may be counted only once for minor credit.
- Students MUST take either ANSC 504 Equine Physiology or ANSC 437 Equine Husbandry Techniques.
- Students may count either ANSC 422 or ANSC 522 for minor credit, but they may not count both.
- Students may count either ANSC 548 or ANSC 635 for minor credit, but they may not count both.
- Students must receive a minimum grade of C- in any course used for the minor. Students failing to do this will need to retake the course in order to receive credit.
- No courses taken on a pass(credit)/fail basis may count toward the minor.
- No more than 12 credits at the 400-level may be used for the minor.
- Students may petition equine faculty in their junior year to include a course that is not listed.
- Students must take at least one course at the 600- or 700-level.
- Students who transfer from other institutions may petition the equine program faculty for course approval.
- Students who choose both ANSC 500 and ANSC 643 as two of their courses toward the minor in equine studies will be eligible for PATH International therapeutic riding instructor certification.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| ANSC 437 | Equine Husbandry Techniques | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Select a minimum of 16 credits from the following electives: | ||
| AAS 434 | Equipment and Facilities Management | 3 |
| ANSC 402 | Horsemanship Lab | 1 |
| ANSC 405 | Theory of Horsemanship | 2 |
| ANSC 419 | Horse Power | 4 |
| ANSC 422 | Introduction to Horsemanship Theory | 3 |
| or ANSC 522 | Ethical Horsemanship - Considerations and Theory | |
| ANSC 426 | Equine Conformation and Lameness | 4 |
| ANSC 500 | Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies | 4 |
| ANSC 504 | Equine Physiology | 4 |
| ANSC #507 | Survey of Equine Training Techniques | 3 |
| ANSC 536 | Preparation and Competition Techniques for the Modern Sport Horse | 4 |
| ANSC 538 | Equine Handling/Longeing | 1 |
| ANSC 546 | Animal Business Applications | 4 |
| ANSC 547 | Equine Stable Management | 3 |
| ANSC 548 | Agricultural Business Management | 4 |
| or ANSC 635 | Nonprofit Management for Agriculture Business | |
| ANSC 640 | Principles of Riding Instruction | 4 |
| ANSC 641 | Principles of Dressage Instruction | 2 |
| ANSC 642 | Principles of Jumping Instruction | 2 |
| ANSC 643 | Principles of Therapeutic Riding Instruction | 4 |
| ANSC 665 | Agricultural & Equine Event Design, Planning and Management | 2 |
| ANSC 695 | Supervised Teaching Experience 1 | 1-2 |
| ANSC 724 | Reproductive Management and Artificial Insemination | 4 |
| ANSC 725 | Equine Sports Medicine | 4 |
| ANSC 744 | Advanced Concepts in Therapeutic Riding Instruction | 4 |
| ANSC 795 | Investigations 1 | 1-4 |
| ANSC 795W | Investigations 1 | 1-4 |
| ANSC 799 | Honors Senior Thesis 1 | 1-4 |
| Total Credits | 78-88 | |
- 1
Subject to approval. Must be equine-related.
