The Equine Assisted Services minor at UNH equips you with skills to use therapeutic horse interactions to promote human health and emotional well-being. This experience-based program covers equine behavior, care and therapy, preparing you for roles in therapeutic riding or equine-assisted therapy. It enhances employability in health and education sectors and enriches your understanding of empathy and non-verbal communication.
What is the Equine Assisted Services minor?
Equine assisted services EAS are dynamic treatments that focus on the frequent, rhythmic, low-amplitude movement of horses to help individuals achieve specific physical, cognitive, social and emotional goals. The minor in program provides students with exposure to several disciplines within this diverse field. The required courses introduce students to key concepts in equine handling and EAS, including equine skills and the opportunity to test for PATH International CTRI instructor certification in therapeutic riding.
Why study Equine Assisted Services at UNH?
Undergraduates have the opportunity to work with individuals who have physical, emotional and cognitive disabilities and learn how to create an environment that integrates members of the disabled and able-bodied communities. Students in the program can earn their Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International instructor certification, which enables them to teach at any PATH International operating center in the world. Students have daily opportunities to work with horses in numerous facilities that are located within a 10-minute walk from campus.
Potential career areas
- Counselor for mental health or youth at risk
- Veteran's programming
- Fundraiser
- Nonprofit manager
- Hippotherapy
- Therapeutic riding instructor
- Therapeutic riding center manager
- Volunteer coordinator
Curriculum & Requirements
The minor in Equine Assisted Services (EAS) provides students with exposure to several disciplines within this diverse field. The required courses introduce students to key concepts in equine handling and EAS, including equine skills and the opportunity to prepare for PATH International CTRI instructor certification in therapeutic riding.
The elective courses list for the proposed EAS minor are designed to provide students with supporting knowledge of equine-specific topics and non-profit challenges necessary for professionals working in the EAS field.
Students in the minor will take a total of 20 credit hours. Students must receive a minimum grade of C- in any course used for the minor. Students failing to do this will need to retake the course in order to receive credit. In accordance with University policy, up to 8 credit hours may count for both the minor as well as for the major, second major, or dual major. Students pursuing a degree in Equine Studies will NOT be eligible to complete the minor.
Students in the EAS minor will take a total of 20 credit hours. Students must receive a minimum grade of C- in any course used for the minor. Students failing to do this will need to retake the course to receive credit. In accordance with University policy, up to 8 credit hours may count for both the minor as well as for the major, second major, or dual major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ANSC 427 | Introduction to Equine Science | 4 |
| or ANSC 526 | Equine Conformation, Movement, and Performance | |
| ANSC 402 | Horsemanship Lab | 1 |
| or ANSC 538 | Equine Handling/Longeing | |
| ANSC 500 | Equine Assisted Services | 4 |
| ANSC 522 | Ethical Horsemanship - Considerations and Theory | 3 |
| ANSC 643 | Principles of Therapeutic Riding Instruction | 4 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Electives (Select at least 4 credits from the list below) | ||
| ANSC 526 | Equine Conformation, Movement, and Performance | 4 |
| ANSC 548 | Agricultural Business Management | 4 |
| ANSC 640 | Principles of Riding Instruction (W) | 4 |
| ANSC 641 | Principles of Dressage Instruction | 2 |
| OT 510 | Exploring Occupational Therapy and Occupation | 4 |
| ANSC 795 | Investigations 1 | 1-4 |
| or ANSC 795W | Investigations | |
| PSYC 561 | Abnormal Behavior | 4 |
| RMP 501 | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice for Recreation Services | 4 |
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Topics for ANSC 795 or ANSC 795W must be specific to Equine Assisted Services and serve the student's professional goals. Topics will be approved by the Minor Advisor.
