Equine

Do you see yourself involved in the multi-billion dollar Equine Industry?

Northeastern Junior College provides students with a variety of degree options to help you achieve your educational and career goals. As a whole the economic impact of the Equine Industry is roughly $122 billion with employment in the industry nearly 2 million jobs available. The industry also pays roughly $70 million in salaries.

The programs at Northeastern range from equine pre-veterinary science to equine training to equine business management. The educational opportunities within the area are endless with an indoor facility, onsite stalling, hands-on experience in the classroom and in the arena.

If you want to be apart of a growing industry check out our degree programs and be a part of Colorado's Premier Two-Year College.

Entry Requirements

Depending upon the degree the entry requirements will vary. Any degrees specializing in horse training require an interview and a riding test with the program coordinator, Cole Briggs at cole.briggs@njc.edu.

Labs & Classrooms

The classroom and laboratory experience is hands-on in all equine degrees offered. Such experience provides real world knowledge that can be used in the industry.

Work Environment

The variety of work environments are vast based on the field of interest. Pre-veterinarian majors may eventually work as a clinical veterinarian or a traveling veterinarian. Equine trainers could potentially work indoors or out depending on their field.

Clubs & Activities

Clubs available under the Equine Programs are:

Equine Club

Ranch Horse Versatility

Horse Judging

Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of animal care and service workers is projected to grow 29 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 80,900 openings for animal care and service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Many people consider their pets to be a part of their family and are willing to pay more for pet care than pet owners have in the past. As more households include companion pets, employment of animal care and service workers in the pet services industry will continue to grow. Employment of animal care and service workers in kennels, grooming shops, and pet stores is projected to increase in order to keep up with the growing demand for animal care.

Potential Job Titles

Equine Health and Service Careers

Professionals dedicated to equine health include the following professions:

Equine Dental Technician
Equine Veterinarian
Equine Veterinary Technician
Farrier/Blacksmith
Track Veterinarian

Equine Management and Breeding

Individuals dedicated to the breeding and management sector of the industry include:

Barn Manager
Bloodstock Agent
Boarding Stable Owner
Broodmare Manager
Equine Pedigree Analyst
Farm Manager
Foaling Attendant
Groom
Horse Breeder
Horse Farm Manager
Hot Walker
Riding Stable Owner
Stallion Booking Secretary
Stallion Manager
Yearling Manager

Riding and Training Careers

Individuals dedicated to the riding and training of horses in the industry. These individuals must be attentive to a horses behavior aspects and be aware of the high-risk positions they may be exposed too.

Dude Ranch Wrangler
Exercise Rider
Horse Show Judge
Horse Trainer
Jockey
Racehorse Trainer
Racehorse Outrider
Riding Instructor
Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Equine Sales Careers

Individuals seeking jobs in this area have a knack for marketing and sales and wish to utilize their skills in the equine industry.

Equine Insurance Sales Agent
Equine Product Sales Representative
Feed Sales Representative
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Tack Shop Owners

Horse Racing Careers

Careers in the horses racing industry have a wide range and these individuals work with racehorses on a hands-on basis.

Clerk of Scales
Clocker
Exercise Rider
Groom
Harness Driver
Horse Identifiers
Jockey
Racetrack Starter
Racing License Clerk
Racehorse Trainer

Other Equine Careers

There are many career paths that in the previously mentioned areas.

Equine Extension Agent
Equine Photographer
Equine Transporter
Mounted Police Officer

Equine Internships and Job Sites

There are many opportunities for equine internships that help individuals gain valuable hands-on experience in the horse industry.

Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median annual wage for animal caretakers was $28,600 in May 2021. The median annual wage for animal trainers was $31,280 in May 2021.

Accreditation / Affiliations

Agriculture Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Produce a written document that clearly explains an agricultural concept.
Analyze information and use critical thinking to solve an agricultural problem.
Explain how agriculture relates to global, social, and cultural concepts.
Develop skills useful in the agriculture industry or transfer to an agricultural degree.
Apply scientific information and the scientific method to explain agricultural concepts.

Articulations

Articulation agreement in Equine Science Degree with Designation with Colorado State University.

Program Requirements / Classes

Equine Science Designation	AS
Equine Business Management	AAS
Equine Management	AAS
Equine Science Concentration	AGS
Equine Business Management Certificate	CERT
Equine Management Training Certificate	CERT

Degree Descriptions

Associate of Arts Degree (A.A.) and Associate of Science Degree (A.S.)

The AA and the AS degrees are traditional 2-year degrees specifically designed to transfer to 4-year institutions for the purpose of completing a BA or a BS. They are often referred to as university parallel degrees. The general education requirements are what actually permit the degrees to be called Associates or Arts or Science. The difference between the AS and AA is minimal, with the AA permitting math courses and a science course that are not recognized under the AS degree. Read Colorado's Guaranteed Transfer Policy here.

Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.)

The AGS degree is, at times, articulated to transfer to certain 4-year institutions and programs. There is more room for flexibility in this degree. Generally, if a student decides to transfer to a 4-year school to pursue a BA or BS after earning the AGS, they may be short some of the general education requirements.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

The Associate of Applied Science degree is rarely pursued by a student who intends to transfer to a 4-year school. It is primarily a degree that prepares a student to go directly into the workforce. It is typically a specific technical career that the student who seeks the AAS is seeking. Again, the general education requirements are less rigid with the AAS degree.

Certificate Programs

Certificates are 1-year technical programs that require no general education courses. Auto Tech, Agri-business, and Cosmetology are Certificate programs. English, math, science, etc. are not required to complete a certificate, although some students choose to take preparatory classes that might help them succeed in the program.