Equine Performance and Business Management

Study for a degree that equips you with the knowledge to enhance equine performance while providing you with strategic business skills essential for success in the equine industry.

As a student at ARU in Writtle you can choose to follow one of two pathways: equitation and coaching, or breeding and production.

If your interests lie in horsemanship, riding and coaching, our equitation and coaching pathway will give you the opportunity to upskill, and prepare for potential careers in training, coaching and sports performance.

Or, if you have a strong interest in horse breeding, the breeding and production pathway lets you focus on the skills and technical knowledge you need to be at the forefront of this expanding industry.

Whichever pathway you choose, you’ll find there’s a focus on business practices, with modules on brand management and a consultancy project where you’ll develop processes, websites and apps for an external company.

We also host guest speakers and seminars from key industry figures, giving you the opportunity to build your professional network.

You’ll be based in the Equine Training and Development Centre, which offers extensive facilities including a working stable yard, riding arenas and an equine therapy barn. There are around 70 horses on campus, and you’re able to bring your own horse to university too: find out more about our DIY Livery Yard.

There are a number of ways to study this course. As well as our 3-year full-time degree, you have the option of studying over:

• 1 year to gain a Certificate in Higher Education

• 4 years including a foundation year, to gain a BSc

If you study the Cert HE initially, you'll take five core modules then follow one of five pathways. Each pathway includes 2-3 optional modules, and is a route into one of our five BSc (Hons) equine degrees. These degrees are:

• Equine Behavioural Science

• Equine Bioveterinary Science

• Equine Performance Science

• Equine Performance and Business Management

• Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation.

You can apply through UCAS (UK students) or directly to us (international students).

All BSc students study the same modules, with the addition of foundation year modules for those taking the 4-year course. Cert HE students study Year 1 BSc modules.

Specialist modules are as follows: • Training for Performance includes a mix of exercise physiology and equine behaviour. •Grassland and Facilities Management incorporates the science behind the development of the most current equine technologies • Applied and Clinical Nutrition allows students to gain industry standard knowledge about legislation • Four stud specialist options, preparing the student for a career in the breeding industry, incorporating key aspects of stud management, breeding objectives and specialist veterinary and health care and management of the young horse through the developmental stages • Four equitation & coaching modules that develop the student’s riding skills from the coaching perspective • Current Issues in the Equine industry • Equine Computer Applications • Five business based modules, key aspects of business management including the breadth and depth of employment opportunities within the industry.