Equine Assisted Services, B.A.


Availability: On-Campus
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Why Study Equine assisted services at Asbury University?

Student working with a horse in the stables

The EAS major at Asbury University is the first of its kind in the United States: It is currently the only undergraduate degree in the country that provides general and foundational education regarding theories, schools of thought, and historical perspectives that have shaped the field at large and influenced current standards of practice. Most other undergraduate programs only provide courses that are specific to a certain model, method, or standards developed by a certification organization.

Such specialized education is also offered at Asbury, but only after a student has completed courses that focus on general education about EAS. To ensure that EAS students develop sufficient practical knowledge and skills, practicum and internship courses are designed in cooperation with Asbury’s partnership with local EAS centers. These centers provide our students with supervised hands-on learning and practice opportunities in various services, such as healthcare services and educational services that incorporate equines and adaptive horsemanship services.

Equine assisted services Concentrations

Students majoring in Equine Assisted Services receive instruction in topics that are foundational to a holistic understanding of this work. These include topics that are equine-focused, such as equine ethology, management, and training, and other topics that relate to management considerations in EAS, theories that inform the human-horse relationship, and ethical issues unique to EAS. All instructions support the development of critical thinking skills that are crucial in understanding the complexity of the field of Equine Assisted Services.

Students will also complete a built-in practicum and internship requirement with our local partner programs and at the Asbury Equine Center. These hands-on learning experiences provide students the opportunity to put to practice what was learned in the classroom and experience the Equine Assisted Services process with real clients.


Students in the Equine Assisted Activities concentration receive instruction in areas that relate to understanding therapeutic riding instruction practices, risk management, equine assessment and training, session planning, and rider support. Combining the EAS-Equine Assisted Activities concentration with a major or minor in Adventure Education and Leadership allows students to learn about experiential learning facilitation that is foundational to Equine Assisted Learning services.

Our curriculum tailors toward popular certification options in EAS: Our Higher Education Membership with the Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) allows students to count courses taken at Asbury toward their application to become a therapeutic riding instructor (CTRI). Students who pursue this certification receive support and coaching from Asbury faculty and staff throughout the application process.

Students who graduate with Equine Assisted Activities concentration can become therapeutic riding instructors, support personnel for healthcare providers offering EAS, and EAS program managers and directors. Students who graduate with a double-major or minor in Adventure Education and Leadership can pursue careers in Equine Assisted Learning, providing experiential learning services to populations, such as at-risk youth, children in the foster care system, victims of human trafficking, or veterans.

Students who desire to be involved in Equine Assisted Services but are not interested in becoming a service provider can choose the EAS—Program Management concentration. In this area, equine majors take business courses both broadly and specific to the equine industry. Essential concepts like equine law and farm and ranch management are taught, and students experience an internship and training in both for-profit and nonprofit management concepts.

The Equine Assisted Mental Health (EAMH) concentration requires a double major or minor with Psychology or Social Work to prepare students to become licensed mental health providers who incorporate equines into their practice. Upon graduation, students can practice alongside a licensed professional as an Equine Specialist or apply to graduate programs in Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or Counseling to become a mental health professional who is dually trained in psychotherapy and EAS.

Specialized courses in EAMH support students in exploring theoretical aspects of EAMH, such as how the human-horse relationship can support the therapeutic process, and practical aspects that consider the safe and ethical incorporation of the horse into traditional mental health services along with considerations that speak to how these services can be offered in a clinically unconventional setting: At the farm and in nature.

Life-Changing Experiences

EAS students complete specifically designed practicum courses at local partner programs, such as:

  • Justin’s Place
  • Hooves of Hope
  • Life Adventure Center
  • Central Kentucky Riding for Hope

The Asbury University Equine Center also hosts several Equine Assisted Services that allow EAS students to gain experience as volunteers or Equine Specialists when providing therapeutic riding services for adults with disabilities, equine assisted learning services with At-Risk Youth, and group psychotherapy services that incorporate equines.

Where you’ll Learn

Exceptional equine education meets integrated hands-on learning on our pastoral Wilmore, KY campus. Students learn, relax and connect with each other and animals throughout the Equine Program premises.

Asbury’s 341-acre equestrian facility houses 100 horses.
People on a campus tour at the Equine CenterPeople on a campus tour at the Equine Center

Meet our Equine assisted services faculty

Elizabeth Guthrie ’13, L.M.F.T.
Equine Program Director
Melissa Siard ’12 Altman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Equine Science,
Pre-Veterinary Advisor,
Equine Department Chair
Cathrin Wilbanks ’11, M.S.
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Equine Assisted Services

Outcomes

What Our Alumni Do

Equine studies students and alumni complete internships and work in equestrian jobs at companies including:

  • Kentucky Horse Park
  • Oak Meadows Stables
  • Metcalfe Equine
  • WinShape Camps Equine Program
  • Camp Merri-Mac Equine Program

Alumni are currently working in positions such as:

  • Farm manager
  • Stable manager
  • Equine administrator
  • Equine law
  • Horse trainer
  • Riding instructor
  • Equine chiropractor
  • Equine/vet pharmacy technician
  • Sales – equine, veterinary supplies, feed
  • Equine physical therapy

Questions?
We’d love to help!


Undergraduate Admissions