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Providing Careers and Experience Through Engaged Learning
SIU Equine Science
graduates are employed all over the US in a wide variety of
horse-related occupations. The unique and demanding curriculum offered in
SIU's Equine Science Program prepares students for diverse career
opportunities. The Equine Science curriculum at SIU develops students'
intellect, physical abilities, and character. The curricular structure
evolved as a result of the faculty's knowledge of and involvement with the
diverse horse industry in Illinois
and the nation. At SIU, principles and their application go hand-in-hand as
our students live what they learn.
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A graduate student ultrasounds a
mare and Dr. King records the results.
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"I
was very satisfied with the excellent education my daughter received at
SIU. She received all the tools she needed to pursue her passion in horses,
is now employed in a position which matches her credentials, and is making
a very nice income doing so. She has excelled at her position mainly
because of her education at SIU."
Lou Scarpaci, father of Equine Science
graduate
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Students
evaluate equine skeletal bones.
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The
SIU Equine Science Program:
Provides the best combination of small classes allowing
a personalized relationship with your professors -not assistants- plus a
substantial curriculum and facilities to support a diverse education.
Systematically builds a solid base of knowledge while
teaching applied skills and emphasizing problem solving in a safe yet
challenging environment.
Integrates its "whole horse" and "horse
first" core concepts into everything it does, be that management,
science, riding, recreation, or competition.
Is constantly evolving, updating and reevaluating its
curriculum to better serve our students and the ever-changing face of the
horse industry.
Incorporates teamwork, shared responsibility and
cooperative learning into all levels of the curriculum.
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"I
am an Equine Veterinarian and have used every aspect of my education and
experience gained while at SIU."
Richard Griffin, DVM, Equine
Science Alumnus
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The
(W)holistic Horse Principle
A core concept of SIU's equine
studies is that all aspects of equine existence are integrated into the
functioning of the whole animal. This concept even applies to the human-horse
interaction. No equine system works in isolation, therefore, what is done to
any part of the horse affects the whole horse. We call this our
"(w)holistic horse" principle. This principle is reflected in the
entire Equine Science curriculum. For this reason, the Equine Science
curriculum at SIU does not study various body systems or topics as separate
courses (i.e. horse nutrition, horse breeding, horse health, horse behavior,
etc.). The SIU Equine Science course structure delivers an integrated study
of all equine systems and how they relate to human-horse interaction at an
introductory, intermediate and advanced level.
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Students Riding in
Class.
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All About the Horse
The goal of the
study of Equine Science at SIU is to achieve a better understanding of the
animal in order to realize a more effective human interaction with our
horses. Our motto, "It's All About The Horse" pertains to our
belief that horse-human interactions should be undertaken for the benefit
of the horse. We feel that all good things flow from this - better health,
greater athletic ability and advantage, more efficient production and
ultimately greater cooperation from and enjoyment of our horses.
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"The
hands on portion of all the classes in this curriculum have increased my
confidence and knowledge exponentially!"
Equine Science Sophomore
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A Challenging Curriculum Emphasizing "Horse Sense"
Lower division
equine classes concentrate on understanding horse-human interactions.
Students learn the natural history of the horse, its evolutionary
adaptations to the modern environment, its physical needs and natural
behavior patterns with a consideration of how these factors dictate human
standards of care and training. Optimizing the human-horse interaction is
central to the study of the horse's physical structure, body mechanics and
movement.
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Learning about
horse behavior enables the student to help their horse remain calm around
potentially startling stimuli.
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Upper division Equine Science students move into the realm of understanding
equine function on a higher level with the goal of maximizing equine athletic
ability. Detailed study of equine anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology is
coupled with thorough examination of existing and potential horse management
practices designed to enhance equine performance. Consideration of horse
industry careers and equine enterprise management principles and practices
are also studied.
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A student learns the proper way to take blood.
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"We
learn in a manner that is so beneficial to our future. We get to learn
hands-on, and our professor is there every step of the way to make sure
that we learn all that we can, safely. She answers all of our questions
and enhances our experience."
Equine Science Junior
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Real
World Experience Creates Tomorrow's Managers
A top quality education
delivers more than classroom theories and book learning. Most of the SIU
Equine Science students aspire to management positions in the horse
industry. Excellent management requires specific and detailed knowledge of
the what and why of the horse's capabilities and needs, but it also
requires familiarity with all aspects of animal care, farm maintenance, and
business and personnel management. Much of this knowledge and experience
can only be gained by hands-on experience and a lot of practice. At SIU,
that practice extends outside the classroom, and even outside the campus.
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Carefully measuring
formalin.
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Doing chores in the
early morning.
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On-The-Farm Training
The day begins early
for Equine Science students at Southern Illinois University. By 6 a.m., the
students assigned to morning horse-keeping chores are at the barn. As part
of the course work in several of the horse management classes,
undergraduates must learn the ins-and-outs of catching, sorting,
inspecting, feeding, watering and turning out the University's 40+ horses.
The whole routine is repeated in the afternoon for another group of student
managers-in-training. During breeding season, students stay throughout the
night at foal watch, and add foal imprinting and training to their list of
duties. Responsibility is emphasized in this practical application of
students' course work, and the management duties increase in sophistication
as students move through the curriculum.
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Skills
requiring more sophisticated animal handling abilities, knowledge of equine
physiology and mastery of specialized techniques are introduced, practiced and
assigned to upper division Equine Science students. These responsibilities
are implemented at the SIU
Horse Center
in addition to the horses' basic care. Treatments for injuries,
administration of medications, massage or other physical therapy, mare teasing
and reproductive monitoring, and foal halter breaking are some of the
increased responsibilities assigned to upperclassmen.
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A lesson on floating teeth.
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"I
didn't realize how much I had learned from these classes until I got into
the 'real world'. Now I've come to appreciate how much I learned at SIU and
how well I can handle all the varied situations and crisis that come up
when working with horses."
Deborah White, Equine Science Alumnus
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One of our 2003 newborn foals.
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Putting Knowledge to Work
Stable Management is
the capstone class that integrates all of the students' knowledge and
experience. All of the SIU horse herd is divided among the Stable
Management students for their care and management. Routine and emergency
health care, hoof trimming, dental care, breeding, stallion management,
foaling, etc. are all the responsibility of the students. Stable Management
students gain personnel management skills by supervising other Equine
Science undergraduates in their morning and afternoon chores. Record
keeping, promotion, farm maintenance and much more are part of the Stable
Management class.
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A Leg Up Into the Horse Industry - SIU Internships
SIU Equine Science
students' final experience is to serve an internship working in some aspect
of the horse industry. The internship serves a three-fold purpose for the
SIU Equine Science students and the horse industry:
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"Thank
you for such a great intern. We would like to continue having interns
from SIU on a regular basis."
Jeffrey Heuer
Classic Acres, Ocala, FL
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- It provides the intern with
invaluable practical learning experiences that enhance the on-campus
experience.
- Intern positions provide a
vehicle for graduate placement, either in a permanent position at the
internship site, or through the many valuable horse industry contacts
interns make during their internship.
- Knowledge flows in both
directions; to the intern from the internship sponsor, and to the
sponsor from the prior experience of the intern as a student of the
Equine Science at SIU.
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For their internship, the
individual Equine Science student is matched with a professional in an area
of the horse industry representing the intern's primary area of interest. The
SIU Equine Science intern works under the internship sponsor for a full
16-week semester. Response to the SIU Equine Science internship program has
been overwhelmingly positive. Internship sponsors request more SIU interns
and employ SIU graduates. Perhaps the strongest endorsement of the internship
program comes from our own Equine Science alumni who, once established in the
horse industry themselves, come back to SIU to request interns of their own.
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"I
was very impressed with [our intern's] work habits…I believe she is a
credit to your University and your Equine Science program."
Dr. Raymond Huston, DVM, Roseville, IL
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To
Achieve Balance in All Things - Riding Classes at SIU
The ultimate goal in
all disciplines of horseback riding is for the horse to achieve a balanced
state of self-carriage. The human's job in the horse-human partnership is
to assist the horse in this quest for self-carriage and, once achieved, to
facilitate its execution. When this principle of riding is distilled down
to this essence, it sounds simple. In reality, however, the physical and
mental development and discipline needed to reach this level of
accomplishment -- for the horse and the rider -- takes a lifetime of study
and practice.
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Riding bareback.
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Stephanie teaching
riding 212.
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SIU
offers riding classes for students of all levels of experience. The core
purpose of all SIUC riding classes is for the student to attain an
independent seat while assisting the horse in attaining self-carriage.
Practice of these core principles, which requires mastery of the three leg
aids and six rein aids, is carried on while incorporating and practicing
all riding disciplines. Once a student has acquired these core skills,
(s)he may choose a specific riding discipline (Hunt, Dressage, Stock seat)
in which to take on an advanced level riding/training project.
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Moving Into Careers
SIU Equine Science
graduates are involved in a wide variety of horse industry occupations.
SIU's unique curriculum supports each student's distinctive contribution to
the horse industry.
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Flushing a wound.
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"I have used much of
my education in planning and starting my equine business. The academic work
relating to farm and business management has been of great value, I have
used my notes and projects from those classes in 'real life'."
Peggy Stierwalt, Equine Science
Alumnus
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Selected Equine Science Alumni:
Valerie Riggs; Exec Asst to VP Racing/Operations, Arlington Internat'l
Racecourse, Arlington Heights, IL
Michael Jerina; Research Farm Manager, Purina Mills Horse Research Farm, Gray
Summit, MO
Keith Brennan; Horse Program Manager, Camp Ondessonk, Ozark, IL
Deborah White; Equine CD-ROM Production, Wind Shadow Media Productions,
Champaign IL
Elizabeth Meier; Operations Manager, Equine Veterinary Practice, New Lenox,
IL
Richard Griffin, DVM; Equine Veterinarian, Equine Services, Simpsonville, KY
Natalie Scarpaci; Equine Insurance Representative, Hallmark Insurance,
Rolling Meadows, IL
Koyla Kruse; Professor-Equine Science, South Dakota State University,
Brookings, SD
Stephanie Speiser; Equine Science Instructor, Southern Illinois University,
Carbondale, IL
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