Abstract:
Horses are becoming an increasingly significant sector of the animal industry resulting in an increased need in post-secondary equine degree programs; yet there is little research describing what elements these academic programs should contain. This Delphi study was conducted to determine the objectives, courses, resources, and curriculum necessary for a successful two-year equine degree program. Results of the study show the three most important program objectives were to prepare students to successfully compete for employment in the equine industry, develop skills needed by utilizing hands-on experiences and applied study, and produce students who have a working knowledge of all facets of equine management. Regarding coursework, respondents unanimously supported a course on equine health, while an internship and a course on equine conformation earned high levels of agreement, along with equine nutrition, equine anatomy, equine business management, and horseshoeing and farrier science. Additional components for an equine program were recruiting materials along with external support. The most popular curriculum resources were specific equine textbooks and handouts from breed and horse associations as well as teaching technology and video equipment. Although this research is limited in scope, it can serve as a foundation for future research in this area.
Keywords:
equine degree, mid-western, delphi study
 Download Article | [ ] | 158 kB |
