Skip to Main Content
Navigated to EQUINE SCIENCE, B.TECH. Program Code #1321.

Equine Science, B.TECH., Major #1321

This degree offering focuses on developing and enhancing the management and horsemanship skills of students at all levels. As students progress through the degree, they will select one of the following options as a specialization: equine science and management (hunt seat, western, or draft concentration); breeding management;  racing  management  (harness racing or thoroughbred racing); equine rehabilitation and therapy; or equine business management. The program concludes with a semester of work internship or international exchange program in which students work in real-world businesses outside of the college to complete the degree requirements.

The strengths of the Equine Science Program are mainly twofold: first in the range of courses, which offers ample practical experience in handling horses and provides the student with the opportunity to concentrate on breeding, training, nutrition, and management specifically with horses, rather than with a generalized group of livestock. The second strength of the program is the quality of the faculty, staff and facilities available to the student. The college has two 100-foot by 200-foot indoor arenas, an 80-foot by 264-foot indoor riding arena, two 100-foot by 200-foot outdoor arenas, a half-mile racing track, three horse barns, a 34,000 square foot breeding and training facility, four hot walkers, Eurociser, paddocks, and all of the associated equipment and supplies necessary for a suitable educational experience. The SUNY Morrisville Equine Rehabilitation Center (SUNY Morrisville ERC) facility includes a 22,000 square foot rehabilitation center building with classroom and administrative offices, a large rehabilitation treatment area, and ten stalls. Additionally, a 31-stall barn for Equine Rehab client over-flow, the Draft and Driving Horse Program, and a 140 by 300 foot indoor arena are also located at this facility. Therapeutic modalities available at the Equine Rehabilitation Center include aquatic therapies (underwater treadmill, cold salt water spa therapy, indoor swimming pool), therapeutic ultrasound, laser therapy (Class IIIB), cold compression therapy, solariums, and therapeutic exercises.

Faculty and staff have a broad range of industry experience, including licensure by the United States Trotting Association and/or New York State Racing and Wagering Board as trainers and/or drivers, certification for specific technical areas, and are carded judges for various breed organizations including AQHA, NRHA, APHA, ApHC, NSBA, and NRCHA. The college also has intercollegiate riding teams (hunt seat and western) and state-of-the-art equipment in all facets of the program.

All of the above provide for an industry-ready and quality equine education.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate safe procedures, sound judgment and critical thinking skills in human and horse interactions when handling on the ground, astride or driving.

  • Further develop and be able to evaluate proper body position and effective use of seat, leg, hands and/or voice aids for ground-handling, riding or driving.

  • Conduct the necessary research, analysis, evaluation, and critical thinking skills required of equine management and demonstrate the ability to develop a well-organized approach to address common problems related to equine training and management.

  • Utilize an understanding of equine behavior and to develop trained responses in project horses.

  • Develop a balanced ration by evaluating potential feedstuff and utilize the principles of nutrition to meet the needs of horses that is commensurate with varied uses and workloads.

  • Apply the principles and techniques of modern equine reproduction and evaluate current breeding management practices to improve breeding efficiency.

  • Utilize a systematic method of evaluating conformation and observing performance to accurately gauge individual improvement and to make qualified comparisons between horses.

  • Develop and implement health management practices and skills to recognize signs of lameness and a fundamental understanding of treatment therapies.

  • Develop a positive, confident outlook and a responsible work ethic that is likely to attract success as an equine professional.

  • Develop sound ethical principles and judgment when dealing with employers, employees, and clients.

  • Demonstrate the ability to develop and implement a business plan for a small to moderate-sized horse establishment.

 Curriculum Requirements 

Core Degree Requirements

Course

Credits

AGBS 100 - Agriculture Economics

3

AGBS 240 - Farm Management & Finance

4

AGRO 110 - Soil Science or ENSC 101 - Agriculture Science

3

ESCI 110 - Equine Anatomy & Physiology

3

ESCI 130 - Equine & Stable Management

3

ESCI 140 - Equine Judging

2

ESCI 210 - Equine Nutrition

3

ESCI 235 - Fitting & Marketing of the Equine

1

ESCI 305 - Equine Reproduction & Breeding

3

ESCI 312 - Equine Health & Lameness

3

AGRO 310 - Pasture Management & Forest Production

3

AGSC 350 - Animal Genetics

3

ESCI 310 - Applied Equine Nutrition

3

ESCI 315 - Equine Business Management

3

ESCI 450 - Internship Orientation

1

ESCI 420 - Equine Internship

15

ACCT - Accounting as Advised or AGBS 250 - Decision Making for Agricultural Managers

3

COMP 101 - Composition & Research or Gen Ed Basic Communication as Advised

3

COMP 102 - Writing About Literature or Gen Ed Humanities as Advised

3

COMP 310 - Technical Communications

3

BIOL or CHEM with Lab as Advised

8

MATH as Advised to meet SUNY Gened

3

Computer Literacy Requirement:

CITA 101 - Principles of Computers & Applications

OR

OFFT 110 - Introduction to Spreadsheet Software

AND one of the following

OFFT 100 - Introduction to Work Processing Software

or

OFFT 109 - Introduction to Presentation Software

2-3

General Education Courses as Advised

(Basic Communication, Humanities, History, Social Science, etc.)

15

Suggested Electives:

ERID 330 - Equine Instruction Methodology

1

ESCI 225 - Equine Artificial Insemination

1

ESCI 300 - Internship in Equine Science

4

ESCI 313 - Equine Health & Lameness Lab

1

ESCI 335 - Equine Aquatic Therapies

2

ESCI 410 - Equine Exercise Physiology

2

Other Courses in AGBS, AGEN, BSAD, ERID

Equine Science & Management Option (120 Credits)

Course

Credits

ESCI 150 - Farm Practicum I (Equine)

2

ESCI 151 - Farm Practicum II (Equine)

2

ESCI 140 - Equine Judging

2

ERID 102 /104 - Western Equitation I (Int. or Adv.)

2

ERID 103/105 - Equitation II - Western Horsemanship (Int or Adv)

1

ERID 109/110 - Hunt Seat Equitation (Int or Adv.)

2

ERID 111/112 - Hunt Seat Equitation II (Int or Adv.)

1

ERID 250 - Breaking & Training

AND

ERID 200 - Western Riding (if western specialization) or ERID 240 - Introduction to Training of Hunters & Jumpers

3-4

ERID 255 - Intermediate Breaking & Training

OR

ERID 260 - Intermediate Training of Hunters & Jumpers

4

ERID 300 - Advanced Equine Specialization I

4

ERID 350 - Advanced Equine Specialization II

4

ERID 400 - Advanced Equine Specialization III

4

Suggested Course Sequence

Year 1/Fall - 16 -18 Credits

ESCI 130 - Equine & Stable Management

3

ESCI 150 - Farm Practicum I - (Equine)

2

AGBS 100 - Agricultural Economics (Equine)

3

AGRO 110 - Soil Science or

ENSC 101 - Agricultural Science

3

Gen Ed - COMP 101 or Basic Communications as Advised

3

ERID 102/104 - Western Equitation I

and/or

ERID 109/110 - Hunt Seat Equitation I

2 -4

Year 1/Spring - 14 - 17 Credits

ESCI 110 - Equine Anatomy & Physiology

3

ESCI 151 - Farm Practicum II (Equine)

2

ESCI 140 - Equine Judging

2

COMP 102 or Gen Ed Humanities as Advised

3

MATH as Advised

3

ERID 103/105 - Equitation II - Western Horsemanship and/or EROD 111/112 Hunt Seat Equitation and/or ESCI 170 - Draft & Driving Horse Management

1-4

Year 2/Fall - 16-19 Credits

ESCI 210 - Equine Nutrition

3

ESCI 235 - Fitting & marketing of the Equine

1

AGBS 240 - Farm Management & Finance

4

Gen Ed History as Advised

3

ERID 240 - Introduction to the Training of Hunters & Jumpers or ERID 250 -Breaking & Training

3-4

ERID 200 - Western Riding (required western specialization)

1

CITA or OFFT - Computer Literacy as Advised

2 - 3

Year 2/Spring - 15-16 Credits

ESCI 305 - Equine Reproduction & Breeding Management

3

ESCI 312 - Equine Health & Lameness

3

Gen Ed Social Science as Advised

3

ERID 255 - Int. Breaking & Training or

ERID 260 - Int. Training of Hunters & Jumpers

4

Electives a Advised

2-3

Year 3/Fall - 13 Credits

AGRO 310 - Pasture Management & Forage Production

3

ESCI 310 - Applied Equine Nutrition

3

ESCI 315 - Equine Business Management

3

ERID 300 - Advanced Equine Specialization

4

Year 3/Spring - 15 Credits

AGSC 350 - Animal Genetics

3

ESCI 450 - Internship Orientation

1

BIOL /CHEM as Advised

4

ERID 350 - Advanced Equine Specialization II

4

SUNY General Education or Elective as Advised

3

Year 4/Fall - 14 credits

ACCT as Advised or AGBS 250 - Decision making for Agricultural Managers

3

COMP 310 - Advanced Technical Communication

3

ERID 400 - Advanced Equine Specialization III

4

BIOL/CHEM as Advised

4

Year 4/Fall - 15 Credits

ESCI 420 - Equine Internship

15

Equine Racing Management Option (121 Credits)

Course

Credits

ESTB 100 - Care & Training of the Race Horse I

5

ESTB 101 - Care & training of the Race Horse II

5

ESTB 210 - Advanced Equine Racing

4

ESTB 220 - Equine Racing Capstone

4

ESTB 300 - Advanced Equine Specialization I

4

ESTB 350 - Advanced Equine Specialization II

4

ESTB 400 - Advanced Equine Specialization III

4

Suggested Course Sequence

Year 1/ Fall - 17 Credits

ESCI 130 - Equine & Stable Management

3

ESTB 100 - Care & Training of the Racehorse I

5

AGBS 100 - Agricultural Economics (Equine)

3

AGRO 110 - Soil Science or ENSC 101 - Agricultural Science

3

COMP 101 or Gen Ed Basic Communication as Advised

3

Year 1/Spring - 16-17 Credits

ESCI 110 - Equine Anatomy & Physiology

3

ESTB 101 - Care & Training of the Racehorse II

5

COMP 102 or Gen Ed Humanities as Advised

3

MATH as Advised

3

CITA/OFFT Computer Literacy as Advised

2-3

Year 2/Fall - 15 Credits

ESCI 210 - Equine Nutrition

3

ESCI 235 - Fitting & Marketing of the Equine

1

AGBS 240 - Farm Management & Finance

4

Gen Ed History as Advised

3

ESTB 210 - Advanced Equine Racing

4

Year 2/Spring - 16 Credits

ESCI 305 - Equine Reproduction & Breeding Management

3

ESCI 312 - Equine Health & Lameness

3

Gen Ed Social Science as Advised

3

ESTB 220 - Equine Racing Capstone

4

Electives as Advised

3

Year 3/Fall - 13 Credits

AGRO 310 - Pasture Management & Forage Production

3

ESCI 310 - Applied Equine Nutrition

3

ESCI 315 - Equine Business Management

3

ESTB 300 - Advanced Equine Specialization I

4

SUNY Gen Ed or Electives as Advised

???

Year 3/Spring - 15 Credits

AGSC 350 - Animal Genetics

3

ESCI 450 - Internship Orientation

1

BIOL /CHEM as Advised

4

ESTB 350 - Advanced Equine Specialization II

4

SUNY General Education as Advised

3

Year4/Fall - 14 credits

ACCT as Advised or AGBS 250 - Decision Making for Agricultural Managers

3

COMP 310 - Advanced Technical Communications

3

ESTB 400 - Advanced Equine Specialization III

4

BIOL /CHEM as Advised

4

Year 4/Spring - 15 Credits

ESCI 420 - Equine Internship

15

Equine Business Management - 120 Credits

Course

Credits

ESCI 150 - Farm Practicum I (Equine)

2

ESCI 151 - Farm Practicum II (Equine)

2

ESCI 140 - Equine Judging

2

Lower Division Coursework from ERID, ESCI, AGS, BSAD as Advised

11-15

12 Upper Division Coursework as Advised. Select from suggested list below (may have prerequisites)

AGBS 305 - Agriculture Financial Decision Making

3

AGBS 350 - Agriculture Business Development

3

AGBS 400 - Agriculture Product Marketing & Distribution

4

AGBS 405 - Capstone for Farm Manager

3

AGBS 410 – Agriculture Human Resource Management

3

AGBS 450 - Agriculture Policy & Development

3

AGBS 460 - International Agriculture Marketing

3

AGBS 480 - Retailing Agriculture Products

3

BSAD 300 Management Communications

3

BSAD 310 – Human Resource Management

3

BSAD 320 - Entrepreneurship

3

BSAD 325 – Marketing Management

3

BSAD 327 – Advertising Management

3

BSAD 329 – Consumer Behavior

3

BSAD 330 – Leading and Managing the Family Business

3

BSAD 408 – Responsible Business Ownership

3

BSAD 411 – Leadership in Organizations

3

Suggested Course Sequence

Year 1/Fall - 15 Credits

ESCI 130 - Equine & Stable Management

3

ESCI 150 - Farm Practicum I (equine)

3

AGBS 100 - Agricultural Economics (Equine)

3

AGRO 110 - Soil Science or ENSC 101 Agriculture Science

3

COMP 101 or Gen Ed Basic Communication as Advised

3

Year 1/Spring - 18 Credits

ESCI 110 - Equine Anatomy & Physiology

3

ESCI 151 - Farm Practicum II (Equine)

3

COMP 102 or Gen Ed Humanities as Advised

3

MATH as Advised

3

ESCI 140 - Equine Judging

2

Directed Electives as Advised

4

Year 2/Fall - 13-14 Credits

ESCI 210 - Equine Nutrition

3

ESCI 235 - Fitting and Marketing of the Equine

1

AGBS 240 - Farm Management & Finance

4

CITA/OFFT - Computer Literacy as Advised

2-3

General Education History as Advised

3

Year 2/Spring - 15 Credits

ESCI 305 - Equine Reproduction & Breeding Management

3

ESCI 312 - Equine Health & Lameness

3

Social Science General Education as Advised

3

SUNY General Education or Directed Electives as Advised

6

Year 3/Fall - 16 Credits

AGRO 310 - Pasture Management & Forage Production

3

ESCI 310 - Applied Equine Nutrition

3

ESCI 315 - Equine Business Management

3

Upper Level AGBS or BSAD Course as Advised

3

Electives as Advised

4

Year 3/Spring - 14 Credits

AGSC 350 - Animal Genetics

3

ESCI 450 - Internship Orientation

1

BIOL/CHEM as Advised

4

Upper Level AGBS or BSAD Courses as Advised

6

Year 4/Fall - 16 Credits

ACCT - Accounting as Advised or AGBS 250 - Decision Making for Agricultural Managers

3

COMP 310 - Advanced Technical Communication

3

Upper Level AGBS or BSAD Courses as Advised

3

BIOL/CHEM as Advised

4

Elective as Advised

3

Year 4/Spring - 15 Credits

ESCI 420 - Equine Internship

15

Breeding Management Option - 120 Credits

Course

Credits

ESCI 150 - Farm Practicum I

2

ESCI 151 - Farm Practicum II

2

ESCI 140 - Equine Judging

2

ERID 102 /104 - Western Equitation I (Int. or Adv.) and/or ERID 109/110 - Hunt Seat Equitation I (Int. or Adv)

2 -4

ERID 103/105 - Equitation II - Western Horsemanship (Int or Adv) and/or ERID 111/112 Hunt Seat Equitation II (Int or Adv)

1 - 2

ERID 250 - Breaking & Training or

ERID 240 - Introduction to Training of Hunters & Jumpers

3-4

ESCI 225 - Equine Artificial Insemination

1

ESCI 320 - Equine Young Stock Management

1

ESCI 340 - Equine Promotion & Sales

3

ERID 350 - Advanced Equine Specialization II

4

ESCI 400 - Advanced Equine Reproduction & Stud Management

4

Electives as Advised

10-11

Suggested Course Sequence

Year 1/Fall - 16- 18 Credits

ESCI 130 - Equine & Stable Management

3

ESCI 150 - Farm Practicum I (Equine)

2

AGBS 100 - Agricultural Economics (Equine)

3

AGRO 110 - Soil Science or ENSC 101 - Agriculture Science

3

COMP 101 or Gen Ed Basic Communication as Advised

3

ERID 102 /104 - Western Equitation I (Int. or Adv.) and/or ERID 109/110 Hunt Seat Equitation II (Int. or Adv.)

2-4

Year 1/Spring - 14-17 Credits

ESCI 110 - Equine Anatomy & Physiology

3

ESCI 151 - Farm Practicum II (Equine)

2

ESCI 140 - Equine Judging

2

COMP 102 or Gen Ed Humanities as Advised

3

MATH as Advised

3

ERID 103/105 - Equitation II - Western Horsemanship (Int or Adv) and/or ERID 111/112 - Hunt Seat Equitation II (Int. or Adv.) and/or

ESCI 170 - Draft and Driving Horse Management

1-4

Year 2/Fall - 16-18 Credits

ESCI 210 - Equine Nutrition

3

ESCI 235 - Fitting & marketing of the Equine

1

AGBS 240 - Farm Management & Finance

4

ERID 250 - Breaking & Training or ERID 240- Introduction ot Hunters and Jumpers

3-4

CITA/OFFT- Computer Literacy as Advised

2-3

Gen Ed History as Advised

3

Year 2/Spring - 16 Credits

ESCI 305 - Equine Reproduction & Breeding Management

3

ESCI 312 - Equine Health & Lameness

3

ESCI 225 - Equine Artificial Insemination

1

Gen Ed Social Science as Advised

6

SUNY General Education or Electives as Advised

3

Year 3/Fall - 16 Credits

AGRO 310 - Pasture Management & Forage Production

3

ESCI 310 - Applied Equine Nutrition

3

ESCI 315 - Equine Business Management

3

ESCI 320 - Equine Youngstock Management

1

ESCI 340 - Equine Promotion & Sales

3

SUNY Gen Ed or Electives as Advised

3

Year 3/Spring - 13 Credits

AGSC 350 - Animal Genetics

3

ESCI 450 - Internship Orientation

1

BIOL/CHEM as Advised

4

ESCI 400 - Advanced Equine Reproduction & Stud Management

4

Elective as Advised

1

Year 4/Fall - 14 Credits

ACCT as Advised or AGBS 250

3

COMP 310 - Advanced Technical Communications

3

ERID 350 -Advanced Equine Specialization II

4

BIOL/CHEM as Advised

4

Year 4/Spring - 15 Credits

ESCI 240 - Equine Internship

15

Equine Rehabilitation & Therapy Option - 121-127 Credits

Courses

Credits

ERID 102/104 - Western Equitation I (Int. or Adv.)

and/or

ERID 109/110 -Hunt Seat Equitation (Int. or Adv.)

AND

ESCI 150 -Farm Practicum I- Equine

or

ESTB 100 - Care and Training of the Racehorse

5-6

ESCI 170 - Draft and Driving House Management and/or ERID 103/105 Equitation II – Western Horsemanship (Int. or Adv.)

and/or

ERID 111/112 Hunt Seat Equitation II (Int. or Adv.)

AND

ESCI 151 Farm Practicum II Equine or ESTB 101 Care and Training of the Race Horse II

4-5

ERID 250 Breaking and Training

OR

ERID 240 Introduction to Training of Hunters and Jumpers

OR

ESTB 210 Advanced Equine Racing

3-4

ESCI 140 - Equine Judging

2

ESCI 313 - Laboratory in Equine Health & Lameness

1

ESCI 335 - Equine Aquatic Therapies

2

ESCI 345 - Advanced Equine Anatomy for Equine Rehabilitation

2

ESCI 370 - Concepts for Diagnosis in Rehabilitation

1

ESCI 380 - Equine Rehabilitation Therapies

3

ESCI 405 - Problems & Diseases in Equine Rehabilitation

2

ESCI 430 - Clinical Application of Equine Rehabilitation

4

Elective Options

ESCI 410 - Equine Exercise Physiology

2

ERID 255 Intermediate Breaking and Training or ERID 260 Intermediate Training of Hunters & Jumpers or ESTB Equine Racing Capstone

4

Suggested Course Sequence

Year 1/Fall - 18 Credits

ESCI 130 - Equine & Stable Management

3

ESCI 150 - Farm Practicum I (Equine)

2

AGBS 100 - Agricultural Economics (Equine)

3

AGRO 110 - Soil Science or ENSC 101 - Agriculture Science

3

COMP 101 or Gen Ed Basic Communication as Advised

3

ERID 102 /104 - Western Equitation I (Int. or Adv.)

2

ERID 109/110 - Hunt Seat Equitation II (Int. or Adv.)

2

Year 1/Spring - 15 -16 Credits

ESCI 110 - Equine Anatomy & Physiology

3

ESCI 151 - Farm Practicum II (Equine)

2

ESCI 140 - Equine Judging

2

COMP 102 or Gen Ed Humanities as Advised

3

MATH as Advised

3

ERID 103/105 - Equitation II - Western Horsemanship (Int or Adv) or ERID 111/112 Hunt Seat Equitation II (Int. or Adv.) or ESCI 170 - Draft and Driving Horse Management

1-2

Year 2/Fall - 16-18 Credits

ESCI 210 - Equine Nutrition

3

ESCI 235 - Fitting & Marketing of the Equine

1

AGBS 240 - Farm Management & Finance

4

ERID 240 - Intro to Training Hunters & Jumpers or

ERID 250 - Breaking and Training

3-4

CITA/OFFT Computer Literacy as Advised

2-3

Gen Ed History as Advised

3

Year 2/Spring - 13-16 Credits

ESCI 305 - Equine Reproduction & Breeding Management

3

ESCI 312 - Equine Health & Lameness

3

ESCI 313- Laboratory in Equine Health and Lameness

1

Gen Ed Social Science as Advised

3

SUNY General Education or Equine Electives as Advised

3

Year 3/Fall - 14 Credits

AGRO 310 - Pasture Management & Forage Production

3

ESCI 310 - Applied Equine Nutrition

3

ESCI 315 - Equine Business Management

3

ESCI 335 - Equine Aquatic Therapy

2

ESCI 345 - Advanced Equine Anatomy for Equine Rehabilitation

2

ESCI 370 - Concepts for Diagnosis in Rehabilitation

1

Year 3/Spring - 14 Credits

AGSC 350 - Animal Genetics

3

ESCI 450 - Internship Orientation

1

BIOL/CHEM as Advised

4

ESCI 380 - Equine Rehabilitation Therapies

3

COMP 310 - Advanced Technical Communication

3

Year 4/Fall - 16 Credits

ACCT as Advised or AGBS 250

3

ESCI 430 - Clinical Application of Equine Rehabilitation

4

BIOL/CHEM as Advised

4

ESCI 405 - Problems and Diseases in Equine Rehabilitation

2

SUNY Gen Ed as Advised

3

Year 4/Spring - 15 Credits

ESCI 420 - Equine Internship

15