Students interested in pursuing equine studies now have an Associate Diploma in Equine Care and Management to consider at the University of Guelph's Ridgetown Campus.

The first intake of equine diploma students will be in fall 2017, and interested students can apply starting in early October.

"The equine diploma is a tremendous compliment to the University’s suite of academic equine offerings including post-graduate, graduate, undergraduate, certificate and extension programs," says, Prof. Rene Van Acker, Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College.

Combining Equine Theory and Applied Learning

In addition to equine care, the diploma program will offer a wide range of courses covering all aspects of working in Ontario’s equine industry. Students will take courses in areas such as business, communications, reproduction, environmental stewardship, nutrition, human resources and marketing.

"The equine diploma is a great fit for our campus as we have experience and expertise in equine, livestock, and companion animal programming," Ken McEwan, Director, Ridgetown Campus.

Unique Delivery Model

Students in the equine care and management diploma will complete the first year of their studies at the Regional Equine and Agricultural Centre (REACH Huron) through Ridgetown Campus, and the second year at the Ridgetown Campus.

"This delivery model offers a tremendous opportunity for students to learn in a first-class equine training centre for a year, and then relocate to the Ridgetown Campus where they will be part of a larger student body of approximately 650 students," explains McEwan. "This will offer additional opportunities for students to develop interpersonal and leadership skills while completing their studies." Classroom lectures will be enhanced with applied labs and projects, and students will also complete a four-week industry work placement at the end of their fourth and final semester.

Graduates of the associate diploma will find rewarding work in a variety of careers such as, equine marketing and sales representative, horse breeder or trainer, race track manager, stable or barn manager, and feed or tack retail operator.

First Class to Start Fall 2017

The first class is expected to attract 35-40 equine enthusiasts to the program from across the province and abroad and will be taught by experienced professionals.

Interested students can learn more about this on the program page [1] and are invited to register for a future student open house to be held in rcampus@uoguelph.ca [2]

Media contacts:

Prof. Rene Van Acker
Dean, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph
519-824-4120, Ext. 56832

Ken McEwan
Director, Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph
519-674-1500, Ext. 63587