It’s amazing how much you can learn within one short year of attending an  equine program! Over the past couple semesters at Ellsworth Community College, I’ve  been blessed with the opportunity to study a variety of subjects including equine  anatomy and physiology, animal reproduction, and horse judging, as well as to gain  experience in areas such as riding, breeding, and managing horses. The instructors  have been wonderful, and I have learned so much from them! With some of them being  carded judges, and others having had a professional show career or even running their  own breeding and training farms, they have such a wide range of knowledge, and it  shows through in the way that they teach.  

One of the things that I especially appreciate about the equine program at ECC  is that the students are given opportunities to engage in field trips, clinics, and other  events. Last semester, those of us who were enrolled in Horse Evaluation II had the  chance to attend the Mayflower and Iowa Pinto shows to practice judging different  disciplines. We were also able to help staff the 4-H Equine Extravaganza, which  includes a model horse show, judging competition, art contest, clinic, quiz bowl, and  more! The biggest event of the semester, though, is the student show. At the end of  each semester, all of the students are required to help with or ride in the show, and  they can choose between disciplines such as English equitation, Western  horsemanship, and ranch riding. Official judges place the classes, and it gives the  students a great opportunity to ride in a competitive environment. 

Most people who enroll in an equine program begin with hopes of becoming a  horse trainer or riding instructor, and many go on to do just that. Some students,  however, graduate with a desire to pursue other careers within the industry. These  graduates are more likely to find jobs as breeders, barn managers, vet techs, judges, or  grooms, to name a few. Some may even find ways to expand their knowledge in less  common professions like therapeutic riding, vaulting, farriery, or equine photography.  For anyone attending an equine program, one of the most important things to  remember is that you should never limit yourself to one career choice before exploring  your options.