Equine Science

Would you like to turn your passion for horses into a rewarding career? Our degree courses could be the gateway to a great future working in the wider equine industry.

The equine sector can offer you a variety of career pathways and we specialise in producing graduates who are industry ready.

Our equine science degree routes are dynamic and research-led so you will stay abreast of the latest scientific findings and industry innovations. All our staff are experts in their chosen fields and, with a wealth of experience, they will support you in achieving your goals.

With access to a range of top-class facilities and input from industry collaborators, you will develop your knowledge of scientific research and technological advances while you perfect your applied skills with relevant practical experience to enhance your employability.

The equine industry is a booming – there are over 19,000 equine businesses in the UK employing 41,200 people and consumers spend over £4billion on equestrianism every year

Source: lantra.co.uk

An experienced equine and animal nutritionist can earn between £35,000 – £50,000 a year

Source: prospects.ac.uk

Courses

Full-time

*These programmes are subject to validation for 2020

Industry focused, career ready…

We believe that creating opportunities for hands-on experience is equally important as supporting you in your academic endeavours – that is why all of our degree courses are endorsed by industry professionals.

Our industry mentor scheme will enable you to gain advice from key professionals and our strong links to industry can lead to collaborative research opportunities such as the British Equestrian Federation’s (BEF) Advancing Equine Scientific Excellence (AESE) project, the Irish Equine Centre (IEC) and through the Alltech Hartpury Equine Student Conference.

In the past, our undergraduates have been awarded the prestigious BEF MAREC Internship at Virginia Tech in the USA, the world’s leading equine breeding and research centre, and have also been awarded the British Equestrian Trade Association’s Thesis of the Year.

You will build invaluable experience and transferable skills as part of your course by choosing to undertake a work placement or by joining one of our optional international study tours*.

You could also study for extra qualifications such as British Horse Society (BHS) exams and the Young Equestrian Leaders Awards to make your CV stand out from the crowd.

*study tours subject to approval

Livery Packages

Reaseheath Equestrian Centre offers a range of Livery Packages including full, half and part working livery, to DIY livery including a stable management option.

Find out more

Careers

Where could your degree take you?

As a skilled equine science graduate, a range of career paths will be available to you and many of our former students have gone on to become industry leaders.

You could enter the world of equestrian sport or seek employment in the education sector, while the field of scientific research can offer other exciting opportunities.

Here are just some of the careers available in this sector:

Scientific research
Equine behaviour
Equine nutrition
Veterinary physiotherapy
Academic lecturing
Performance coaching
Performance horse management
Managerial roles in equine welfare and allied industries

Facilities

Where will you be studying?

Our Equestrian Centre boasts everything you would expect from a professional yard with access to a range of excellent facilities and learning resources to enable you to develop your scientific understanding and applied skills.

Our facilities include:

State-of-the-art scientific research laboratory facilities
Gait analysis systems
A mechanical horse with VO2 Max Testing equipment
An international standard indoor arena plus two outdoor arenas, all with competition surfaces
Our carefully designed modern yards with American barn-style stabling for over 60 horses

Experience

Your University Centre Reaseheath Experience

At University Centre Reaseheath, we aim to give you the best of both worlds. Smaller seminar groups mean that you will get plenty of one-to-one support from your tutors, while shared modules in our lecture theatres allow you to study with undergraduates from other cohorts.

You can gain industry experience and enhance your CV by volunteering at Somerford Park’s British Dressage Premiere League Show and at British Eventing Horse Trials such as Kelsall Hill, Brand Hall and Bradwall Manor. You can also join the arena parties at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Bolesworth International Horse Show.

We regularly host lectures and demonstrations at our Equestrian Centre, and you can pick up tips from the likes of leading event rider Ros Canter and Caroline Moore FBHS, behaviourists Monty Roberts and Richard Maxwell, dressage riders Michael Eilberg and Gareth Hughes, show jumpers Ben Maher and Geoff Billington and Olympic course designer Bob Ellis.

We also have a partnership with The British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre, and we have several of their horses on long-term loan at our Equestrian Centre.