University of Connecticut

Animal Science students work with animals and learn the basic sciences of genetics, physiology, nutrition, health, and behavior. Courses offered: Developing the Driving Horse, Pleasure Horse Appreciation and Use, Horse Science, Light Horse Training and Management, Methods of Equitation Instruction, Horse Breeding Farm Management, Horse Selection and Evaluation, Advanced Animal and Product Evaluation, Equine Podology. Because the department believes that practical experience is important for professional development and educational improvement, there are many activities available to students. The Horse Practicum is a professional improvement, non-credit activity designed to increase the total experience and job competitiveness of Animal Science and other UConn majors with a strong interest in horses. Students ride Hunt Seat, Western, and Dressage from beginner to advanced levels. The Polo Practicum is a non-credit, extracurricular riding program that offers beginner through advanced lessons in polo techniques and strategy. Students can ride at least once a week in the indoor arena. Students can also participate on the Polo Team, Equestrian Team, Drill Team, and Western Team and Dressage Team. We also offer a Trail Ride, where you ride through our UConn trails. This is a leisure ride.

The Drill Practicum consists of both, English, Western and some jumping. The lessons consists of working the horses through training obstacles that allow the horses to not only get used to different obstacles, but bend and maneuver with ease. Most riders in this Practicum are on the Morgan Drill Team, a non-competitive team.