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Studies & Degrees in Equine Science

Equine science is the scientific study of the horse. The University of Limerick describes it as a specialisation within animal science that covers the reproduction, physiology, behaviour and nutrition of horses. Programmes add health and disease, breeding and genetics, training and riding (equitation), and the management of stables, studs and other horse businesses.

The subject is practical. Students spend time in laboratories and lecture rooms, and also in yards, arenas and breeding units. Laramie County Community College, for example, calls its equine programme hands-on, teaching practical skills that include equine growth, training, reproduction and nutrition, with an internship. Equine science is not veterinary medicine: it does not qualify graduates to practise as veterinarians, which requires a separate professional degree.

Qualifications and levels

  • Certificates and two-year degrees. In the United States, community colleges award two-year associate degrees. Linn-Benton Community College in Oregon has a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Animal Technology: Horse Management, for work in the horse industry, and an Associate of Science with an equine science emphasis for students who plan to transfer to a university. Redlands Community College in Oklahoma includes equine science as one of eight programme areas of its 62-hour Associate in Science in Agriculture. Laramie County Community College in Wyoming has a two-semester Equine Management programme. In Ireland, the University of Limerick's Certificate and Diploma in Equine Science take two or three years (level 7 of the Irish framework) and allow progression to the degree.
  • Bachelor's degree. The University of Limerick's BSc in Equine Science lasts four years full-time (level 8). Students combine equine science with professional studies in either equitation or equine business management; entry to the equitation option depends on reaching a satisfactory riding standard in the first two years. In the United States the subject is often a major or concentration inside a four-year agriculture or animal science degree: Morehead State University in Kentucky lists equine science among the concentrations of its Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, and the University of Connecticut launches a new Equine Science and Management major in fall 2026.
  • Master's and doctorate. Postgraduate study is usually in animal science, with research on equine nutrition, reproduction, exercise physiology or behaviour.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 15 active schools for equine science. Ten are in the United States, and there is one each in Australia, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Teaching is in English in the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Australia; ask the Danish and Dutch universities which courses they teach in English.

Facilities matter more than in most subjects. Ask each school whether it has its own horses, stables, arenas and breeding programme, how many hours per week are practical, and whether you need riding experience to be admitted. The University of Connecticut, for instance, has bred Morgan horses since 1942 and uses them in teaching. Costs also differ. The University of Limerick lists €8,814 per year for EU students and €22,700 for non-EU students for the BSc on its course page (October 2026); in the United States, public colleges usually charge higher tuition to students from outside the state.

Careers

Graduates work across the horse industry: stud and stable management, training and riding instruction, nutrition and feed companies, equine health products, breeding and sales, sport and racing organisations, and research or advisory services. Morehead State University names equine specialist and farm manager among the career options of its agriculture degree, and Laramie County Community College prepares students to manage a horse boarding, training or recreation facility.

A degree is not a legal requirement for most hands-on jobs with horses. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, animal care and service workers typically have a high school diploma and learn on the job; most animal trainers work with dogs and horses. The same source counts 413,000 jobs in this group (all animals, not only horses) in 2025 and projects growth of 11 percent from 2025 to 2035. The value of a qualification lies in the science and business knowledge needed for management, technical and advisory roles.

Frequently asked questions

Is equine science the same as veterinary medicine?

No. Equine science is a specialisation within animal science. It covers horse health, nutrition and reproduction but does not qualify you as a veterinarian, which requires a veterinary degree.

Do I need to be able to ride to study equine science?

It depends on the programme and the option. At the University of Limerick, the equitation option requires a satisfactory riding standard during the first two years, and the university states this condition only for that option. Ask each school.

How long does an equine science qualification take?

From two semesters for a college certificate programme to two years for an associate degree or certificate and four years for a bachelor's degree.

Where is equine science taught?

Mostly in English-speaking countries. Of the 15 schools listed on SpainExchange, ten are in the United States, and the others are in Australia, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.