What Makes Equine Studies so Special at The Woods

SMWC Advantages

  • Small class sizes for one-on-one instruction
  • Direct access to 48 college-owned horses – Quarter Horses, Paints, Thoroughbreds and warmbloods.
  • Hands-on experience caring for horses and facilities
  • Teaching opportunities for public riding lessons
  • State-of-the-art teaching labs and equipment
  • On- and off-campus internships

Special Opportunities

  • Two week Study Abroad experience of the Equine Industry in Ireland led by SMWC faculty includes cultural and equine industry experiences (nutrition, 培训, 兽医, 繁殖, 研究, 市场营销, 等.)
  • Nationally-ranked Western and Hunt Seat competitive teams.
  • Collegiate Horsemen’s Association is a club for all SMWC equine enthusiasts. Members participate in horse-related activities such as therapeutic riding, 马营救, 诊所, 博览会, 马了, 有趣的节目, trail rides and socials.
The equine facility with several horses heads out the stall windows and a blue sky.

You’ll find a beautiful equine facility at The Woods, which includes 55 horse stalls, 3间图钉室, 4 grooming stalls, 2个洗涤档, classrooms and more.


Life in the Boots of a Woods Student

What’s it like being an equine major?

It takes a special breed to pursue a career in equine studies. Our equine students are passionate, hardworking and dedicated. Here’s a sample of a typical day.

早....

  • Clean stall and turn horse out to pasture
  • Attend Classes: Equine Stable Management, Biology and Equine Nutrition

下午

  • Team workouts and lunch
  • Attend Classes: Math or English, Riding Class and Equine Genetics
  • Retrieve horse from the pasture and groom
  • 团队实践

晚上

  • 晚餐
  • Riding Lessons
  • 家庭作业
Western rider competing

Award-winning Western and Hunt seat teams and individual riders regularly compete and place in regional, semi-final and national competitions.


Join a Team and Ride to Success

SMWC is proud to be a part of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). All campus majors can try out for the two equestrian teams at The Woods — Western and Hunt Seat. As a member of the IHSA, both of SMWC’s award-winning teams and many individual riders have competed and placed in regional, semi-final and national competitions. As a member of the team, you’ll have the opportunity to compete with these schools in our region:

  • Ball State University
  • Butler University
  • Earlham College
  • Eastern Illinois
  • Indiana University
  • Indiana University of South Bend
  • IUPUI
  • Parkland College
  • Purdue North Central
  • Purdue Calumet
  • Purdue University
  • St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame
  • Taylor University
  • University of Illinois – Urbana, Champaign