My studies
The University of
Limerick
Bachelor in Science of
Equine Science and Business
What is Equine Science?
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It's a 4 years degree that you can do in many English speaking countries, that originally comes from the US. There are different ways of doing it depending on the country and the formation. Mine anyway is a degree that gives a BSc (a bachelor in science) that gives you access to a certain number of PhD's.
My degree takes place in Ireland, more precisely in Limerick, in the South-West.There are in total 8 semesters which last 15 weeks each. Each semester is divided into 12 weeks of classes, 1 reading week, and 2 weeks of exams (except semester 6).
Each semestre, 5 new modules are taken on, with the exception of semesters 6, 7 and 8. Semester 6 lasts 8 months in total (beginning of January to end go August) during which a Co-Op (co-operative education, work experience) is done. A FYP (Final Year Project) is written in 4th year, which means that during this year there are only 4 modules per semester.
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Who can get in?
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Everybody, but it's meant for students that just got their Leaving Cert' (so people just leaving high school). I don't really remember what they asked for the selection my year, but it is only from your previous results anyways. It is definitely late in the year, as it works with Leaving Cert' results; I remember getting an answer and leaving only a week later!
For more information on how to apply, you can contact me with the "Contact" menu, or just leave a comment below. I will be happy to help.
What are the job prospects after?
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Absolutely everything you want! Indeed, the goal of Equine Science is really to give you scientific knowledge about horses that will allow you to distinguish yourself from other professionals in the horse industry. The 8 months work experience also allow you to create relationships that can, in certain cases, ensure you a job after graduation.
But you can also continue your studies as it is first and foremost a scientific degree. Why not become a scientist and research anything you want about horses? What you want to do is up to you.
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What do we learn in Equine Science?
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This actually depends a lot on who you are. Personally, it allowed me to go further down the road of "natural horsemanship" and using the natural state of the horse as a reference, but it is absolutely not what you learn during the formation.
Actually, you don't learn a "method", you aren't put in a box while telling you "do this and do that and that's all". Quite the contrary, the reason why I love so much what I'm doing is because we take science for a basis, not what Somebody said but what we know about horses, his behaviour, his morphology, his physiology, his psychology, his locomotion, etc. and from that we look at what people do.
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Whether it's the sport horse trainer up the road or the biggest racehorse trainer of the US, or even Pat Pirelli and Andrew McLean, it doesn't matter: we take them all, compare them, critique them, and just take what there is to take and reject what there is to reject.
For short: we are taught to observe, compare and think in a critical way. Therefore, it's not about fitting you to the mould, where you do like the others just because it's cool; you learn the hows and whys: first and foremost, you become a scientist specialised in horses.
First and foremost, you become a scientist, specialised on horses
Which modules can you take?
Scientific modules
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Biology
Chemistry
Microbiology
Biochemistry
Grassland and grazing management
Biometry
Business modules
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Microeconomy
Macroeconomy
Introduction to information technology
Business information systems
Accounting for financial decision making
Risk management
Possibility to take a Business major in 3rd year (involving new modules)
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Practical
Introduction to horsemanship
Equestrian skills analysis
Equine locomotion
Equitation option modules
The young horse
Equestrian facilities
Performance rider development
Training the performance horse
Managing the performance horse
Equine modules
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Theory
Introduction to equine anatomy and physiology
Equine industry
Reproduction
Feeding and behaviour
Health and environnement
Physiology
Nutrition
Health and diseases
Genetics
Advanced physiology
Pharmacology
What do I want to do after I graduate?
Personally, what I like best is the horse "au naturel" (what could be posher than a French expression used by a French person while talking in English); it's his well-being, his happiness, his health, and his relationship with his human. Indeed, I'd like to become some king of "welfare officer for horses" by doing a lot of other small formations such as barefoot trimer, shiatsu, or aromatherapy.
I'd like to help horse owners to harmonise their relationship with their horse by orientating them toward more respectful practices and an environment that is better adapted. My favorite subjects are nutrition, a respectful horsemanship that considers as basis the physiology and the psychology of horses, barefoot trimming and natural treatments.