One of the newest programs at Colorado Northwestern Community College is the Horsemanship and Horse Management Program. CNCC’s program teaches the students proper equitation, how horses learn, equine anatomy and physiology, equine behavior modification and other skills needed to become successful in the equine industry. In each of the three hands-on specializations the students ride, train, and manage horses resulting in students who are ideally equipped to obtain a job in any equine discipline in the country upon completion of their degree.
The Horsemanship and Horse Management Program currently offers one Associates Degree and two certificates at this time.
A two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree designed as a generalist program that teaches a broad base of horsemanship and management skills that includes horse breeding and care, advanced riding, stable management, ranch horsemanship, basic horse training, and outfitting and guiding.
A one year certificate focused on equine selection, anatomy and physiology, stable operations, reproduction, riding instruction, and equine management.
ADG 150 Outfitting & General Guiding/5(4-2-0) S: Teaches the fundamental skills needed to plan and implement guided backcountry trips using horses and mules. Prerequisite: ASC 243 or Program Director Approval
AGP 160 Ranch Horsemanship Skills I/2(0-4-0) S: Offers an introduction to the skills utilized in ranching operations where horses are involved in moving, sorting, and restraining cattle. Emphasis is placed on safety, proper techniques and in developing proficiency in equipment selection and care, basic horsemanship, riding, and roping. Prerequisite: ASC 243 or Program Director Approval
ASC 102 Introduction to Equine Science/4(3-2-0) F: Covers the basics of the equine industry, breeds, selection, form to function, care and management, soundness, health, reproduction, feeding, facilities, physiology, production systems and management systems.
ASC 216 Intermediate English Equitation/2(0-4-0) F: Provides the advanced English rider with an introduction to jumping. Prerequisite: HTM 150
ASC 226 Dressage I/3(0-6-0) S: Provides the advanced student an introduction to the principles and techniques of dressage. Prerequisite: HTM 150
ASC 243 Intermediate Western Equitation/2(0-4-0) F: Provides the student basic to intermediate horsemanship and maneuvers, improved body position, and advanced control. Prerequisite: HTM 150
EQM 101 Stable Operations I/2(0-4-0) F: Focuses on the routine daily care, grooming, feeding, stable sanitation, daily health, and feed records of horses. This hands-on lab course will require students to work at the stables 5 hours per week assisting with the daily operation of the facility.
EQM 102 Stable Operations II/2(0-4-0) S: Builds on EQM 101 and continues focus on the routine daily care, grooming, feeding, stable sanitation, daily health, and feed records of horses. This hands-on lab course will require students to work at the stables 5 hours per week assisting with the daily operation of the facility. Prerequisite: EQM 101
EQM 151 Horse Production/4(4-0-0) S: Focuses on the external anatomy, and internal anatomy and physiology including skeleton, joints, muscles, digestive system, urinary-excretory system, respiratory system, circulatory system, nervous system, skin and hair. Covers the elements of conditioning these systems for various levels of training. Prerequisite: ASC 102
EQM 153 Equine Evaluation/3(2-2-0) F: Focuses on the evaluation of a horse’s conformation and performance. Covers terms used in judging horse conformation, evaluation of a horse’s conformation and structural soundness, and evaluating performance horses in various classes.
EQM 158 Equine Reproduction/2(2-0-0) S: Introduces horse reproduction and the various breeding and management practices found on breeding farms. Covers physiology of the mare and stallion reproductive systems, care of the stallion and the mare, mare heat detection, breeding, care of pregnant mares, foaling, problems in the foal, and care of the foal and yearling. Prerequisite: ASC 102
EQM 251 Equine Management/3(3-0-0) S: Covers practical aspects of horse and stable management, feeds and nutrition, diseases and wounds, unsoundness and blemishes, castration, immunization, worming, health care, care of feet and legs, organizing stable routine and activities, stable records and stable construction. Focuses on marketing methods and promotional advertising methods for stables, trainers and horses.
EQT 200 Fundamentals of Riding Instruction/3(1-4-0) S: Develops the basic skills needed to become effective teachers of riding. Through classroom and arena assignments, students have the opportunity to gain confidence, learn methods of organization, and develop lesson plans and practice teaching techniques. Students learn techniques in teaching basic skills for western and English horsemanship. Prerequisites: HTM 150 & ASC 243 or Program Director Approval
HTM 150 Basic Horsemanship & Equitation Skills/7(1-12-0) F: Provides each student with one gentle-broke horse to work within the following: showing in hunter under saddle and western pleasure; grooming properly; standing still while being saddled, bridled, and mounted; working on the rail; taking proper leads; backing and loping in circles, stopping, two-tracking, and opening gates. The students will also receive instruction in basic hoof care and proper stable management.
HTM 152 Basic Care & Training/7(0-14-0) F: Provides each student with one horse to start and train in the following: grooming properly; bitting and driving; standing still while being saddled, bridled and mounted; working on the rail; taking proper leads; backing and loping circles, stopping, two-tracking; and opening gates. This is a hands on lab class that gives the student the opportunity to green break a young horse.
Prerequisite: HTM 150 or Program Director Approval
HTM 155 Foal Training/1(0-2-0) F: Provides each student with one or more weanlings to train in the following objectives: load in trailer, stand tied, bathe, clip and pick up all four feet. Prerequisite: HTM 150 or Program Director Approval
HTM 253 Specialized Training/7(0-14-0): Provides each student with one or more horses to train. The first part of the semester will deal with establishing the foundation on the horses. The remainder of the semester will be utilized in building the specialized skills. (Roping, Jumping, Racing, etc.)
Prerequisite: HTM 152
HTM 280 Internship/2(0-0-2) Summer: Provides each student with opportunity for placement in the horse industry under a prominent person who specializes in the student’s main area of interest.
Contact Information:
Brandon Velie
Horsemanship and Horse Management Program Director
500 Kennedy Dr.
CNCC Box 579
Rangely, CO 81648
1-800-562-1105 Ext. 351 brandon.velie@cncc.edu
My name is Brandon Velie and I was born in Biloxi, Mississippi. After high school I attended North Carolina State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in the spring of 2005. In August of 2005 I began graduate school under the direction of Dr. Joe Cassady working towards a Master of Science in Animal Science with a concentration in animal breeding and genetics. After college graduation I worked at Colonial Downs Race Track in Virginia before accepting the position of Horsemanship and Horse Management Director at Colorado Northwestern Community College.
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