10 Best Equestrian Colleges

Written by Michelle Drum for The Farmhouse

If you’re a teen who’s a horse lover who wants to pursue a career in the equine industry, or if you’re the parent of one, you may be in search of colleges with strong equine programs and high-quality equestrian centers. The top colleges offer a variety of programs to prepare students for equine careers and have a broad selection of courses for any riding discipline. Here is a list of 10 top colleges (in no particular order) known for their ability to prepare young people for a career working with horses.1. Emory & Henry College (Virginia) — Emory & Henry Equine CenterThis college offers both a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies. A wide range of topics and disciplines are covered in the available courses. The 120-acre riding center has two indoor arenas and an outdoor arena, 10 one-acre paddocks, and 75 stalls. It also offers USA Equestrian-regulation jumps and a full cross-country course. The equestrian program is among the most accomplished in the country with 21 national championships since 2001.2. Berry College (Georgia) — Gunby Equine CenterBerry College’s animal science program offers equine science and management with programs in equine management and various riding disciplines. The 185-acre Gunby Equine Center has five buildings, an outdoor arena, 64 stalls, two round pens for lunging and light training work, 180 acres of pasture, and many miles of mountain trails. It also features a state-of-the-art covered arena with seating for 400 spectators and attached classrooms.3. University of Kentucky in Lexington (Kentucky) — UK Ag Equine ProgramsThe University of Kentucky boasts extensive equine offerings through its UK Ag Equine Programs in the heart of horse country, with internship opportunities that reflect the optimal location. Stand-alone equine programs are available at both the graduate and undergraduate level, including a Bachelor of Science degree in Equine Science and Management. The Maine Chance Equine Campus, a 100-acre facility located a few miles from campus, is just one of four different farms in the area connected with horse work. It’s primarily used for undergraduate education and includes several state-of-the-art barns designed for aspects of equine science, more than 25 pastures and paddocks, and an equine health research center.4. Auburn University (Alabama) — Auburn University Equestrian CenterThe Auburn University Equestrian Center, home of the six-time NCEA national champion Auburn equestrian team, is a joint partnership with the Athletics Department and the Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Agriculture. The center showcases a state-of-the-art, 20-stall show barn that is climate controlled as well as an additional 16-stall barn. The property also features a 6 horse-covered walker, 15 wash racks, four tack rooms, 50 outdoor crosstie areas, two laboratories, 15 pastures, individual turnout areas, isolation areas, offices, and a team support building. There are three beautiful outdoor riding arenas and a large covered arena. The facility is also home to an IHSA team and is used regularly for Animal Science classes. This spacious, 80-acre facility is conveniently located on the edge of campus directly across from the College of Veterinarian Medicine making it easily accessible for students.5. Centenary University (New Jersey) — Centenary University Equestrian CenterA Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies is available at Centenary University with concentrations in equine business management, riding instruction and training, equine science, and riding instruction and training. This is one of the best-known equestrian colleges in the U.S. The Equestrian Center is impressive with three large arenas, a show-ready indoor arena, attached classrooms, three barns including 60 stalls, and a natural-terrain hunt field. It also has a veterinary pharmacy and twelve turnout paddocks offering plenty of space.6. Penn State University (Pennsylvania) — Penn State Equine FacilitiesThe university’s College of Agricultural Sciences has an animal science program, offering a minor in equine studies. The Equine Facilities center features an indoor arena, two horse barns, a round pen, and multiple pastures and paddocks for the school’s herd of more than 60 registered quarter horses. The research program at the school runs a breeding program. This facility hosts the annual Penn State Equine Science Showcase and Registered Quarter Horse Sale, a premier quarter horse show in this area.7. Colorado State University (Colorado) — B.W. Pickett Equine CenterCSU offers a Bachelor of Science in Equine Science and several animal sciences graduate programs in their extensive equine program. The B.W. Pickett Equine Center is located close to campus featuring two indoor arenas, conference rooms and classrooms, several barns, acres of pastures and trails, and an equine reproduction laboratory. Colorado State University also has opportunities for competition in polo, ranch horse versatility, rodeo, and English riding.8. Murray State University (Kentucky) — Murray State University Equine CenterMurray State University offers an animal science/equine program with an emphasis in equine management, equine science, or food animals. The Equine Center has traditional classrooms as well as hands-on areas to support the study of exercise physiology, nutrition, reproduction, and equine management. It has extensive riding and educational facilities as well as a breeding program. Facilities available include several barns, a dressage arena, a lighted outdoor arena, several round pens, and a number of pasture spaces and turnouts. The university also has four intercollegiate horse show teams.9. Alfred University (New York) — Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian CenterAlfred University’s equestrian studies program offers three minors: equine studies, equine-assisted psychotherapy, and equine business management. Students will love the 400-acre equestrian center located minutes from campus with state-of-the-art facilities featuring a mirrored indoor arena, two lighted outdoor arenas, 40 acres of turnout fields, and ample stalls for over 50 horses.10. University of Findlay (Ohio) – James L. Child Jr. Equestrian ComplexThe University of Findlay offers renowned English and Western Equestrian Studies programs as well as an Equine Business Management degree. The 32 acre James L. Child Jr. Equestrian Complex offers three indoor arenas, an outdoor ring, and a grass hunt field. The barn houses more than 130 horses. Students spend at least five days a week at the barn, learning all aspects of riding, training, and barn management from the industry’s top professionals. Findlay hosts 2 top nationally ranking Hunt Seat and Western IHSA teams as well as Dressage and Eventing clubs.The Top Equestrian Colleges Offer Plenty of OpportunitiesEquestrians are sure to find a school that’s a perfect match in this list of colleges that offer the top equine programs in the country. Any of these schools will fully prepare a student for a career in the equine industry, with technically advanced equestrian centers that enable students to practice their chosen discipline in an idyllic setting they are sure to love.