BizVoice -- March / April 2018

66 BizVoice/Indiana Chamber – March/April 2018 Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College: Equine studies Sara Schulz says she doesn’t understand why the equine studies program at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) in Terre Haute is still a best-kept secret. “We’re still really unknown and I don’t really understand that. It’s shocking how many people in the local community don’t know that we have an equine program and realize what it is,” she asserts. Schulz, assistant professor of equine studies and department chair, points out some notable facts about the program: • It’s the only four-year equine degree program in the state of Indiana and one of only a few in the country. • It offers three different majors: general equine studies, equine business management, and equine training and instruction (with minors available in equine studies and equine science). • The school’s competitive Western Equestrian Team was in the top four in the nation in 2015, having competed against Big Ten schools. • The academics are rigorous; students accepted into the equine studies program are in charge of caring for the horses and stables on campus, including being on call on the weekends in case of inclement weather or if a horse is sick. Students also give up one holiday per year to stay on campus and take care of the horses. At one time, Schulz says, about a third of the students enrolled on campus were involved in the equine department, the degree program or the competitive team. Most students accepted into the demanding degree program are trained riders or have some background of working with horses. While it’s possible for students to come into the program without that know- how, she notes that it is difficult to make up the experience in four years. “I’m not saying it’s not doable, but they’ve got a lot of ground to make up. We typically will gear them more toward equine business management or equine studies – if you don’t come in with a substantial riding background,” Schulz offers. “Plus, they have to take a riding test to get into that major. It happens, and they are successful. But it’s not just riding around the arena on the horse, making a play day of it. We have serious science classes that are required across every major. It’s a highly science-based program.” Students who graduate from the program go on to become veterinarians or head into business management, running and managing barns and therapy barns. Others have gone into equine law, equine photography and more. Growing the program is a goal and reaching out to more male students could help with that. Previously, the college admitted only women but opened enrollment to men in 2015. “I think gradually the word is getting out there. We are starting to get some men (interested). We might have one in the program next year,” she asserts. RESOURCE: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College at www.smwc.edu The equine studies program at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute is a rigorous, science- based academic field of study. It is the only four-year bachelor’s degree program in equine studies in the state.