ABOUT THE CLASS

*½ Credit Science Elective

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This 1 semester(Spring) class will provide students with an introduction to horse breeds, disciplines, care, equipment, basic horsemanship principles and an overview of the Horse Industry in the United States.

According to The Horse Review:

“Recent economic studies by the American Horse Council (AHC) shed light on the monumental financial impact of equine activities nationwide. According to the AHC, the horse industry contributes approximately $122 billion annually to the U.S. economy. This figure includes direct contributions such as breeding, training, racing, and recreation, as well as ripple effects through indirect jobs and support industries like feed suppliers, veterinarians, and farriers. 

​Employment Impact  

The equine sector supports significant employment across the nation, providing jobs to nearly 1.7 million people. These range from trainers and riders to those involved in transportation and stable maintenance. Such employment opportunities directly fuel local and state economies, with many rural areas heavily reliant on the industry for financial stability.”

Cited from: https://www.midsouthhorsereview.com/the-economic-impact-of-the-equine-industry-in-the-united-states

Students will build a portfolio of their favorite breeds and disciplines, along with guides on equipment, care and basic horse handling principles. As part of the class they will give a presentation on a specific breed and discipline that interests them the most.

There will be one session scheduled in May at Mrs. Cook’s barn to get some hands-on experience in grooming and leading a horse.

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The class will also be invited to participate in an optional trail ride arranged by Mrs. Cook at a Riding Outfitter in our area (about an hour and 30 minute drive). There will be an extra fee for this activity, typically $50-60/person, and will be scheduled in May or June, 2026.​

REQUIRED MATERIALS

1. A binder to keep handouts & written work

2. Plastic binder inserts for making portfolio pages.

3. Book: The Original Horse Bible: The Definitive Source for all Things Horse, 2nd Edition, Paperback