Department of Equine Science
Learn by doing at Otterbein University.
The Department of Equine Science prides itself on experiential learning opportunities and individualized attention. Students are immersed in their own living laboratory and can expand their passion for horses into a competitive career path.
Students interested in riding have the opportunity to take lessons from our accomplished instructors and participate on our highly competitive equestrian teams. Our dressage team is the reigning three-time national champion team, and our hunt seat team consistently places at nationals.
This intensive horse centered curriculum expands your traditional thinking of the equine industry. Explore the multifaceted, 112-billion-dollar industry and take your equine passion beyond the barn. Our graduates are working at major equine organizations and companies, veterinary clinics, universities, and equine facilities across the nation.
Take a virtual tour of our beautiful facility and learn more about our majors and lessons in this video.
Follow our department and equestrian teams on social media!
Programs of Study in Equine Sciences
B.S.
Equine Pre-Veterinary/Pre-Graduate Studies
B.S.
Equine Veterinary Technology
B.A.
Equine Business Management
Student, Faculty, & Alumni Spotlights
Prior to becoming an Otterbein student, I had only a year of equine experience from volunteering at a horse rescue. Through this program, my confidence with working with horses has increased significantly while continuing my volunteer work.
Lindsey Payton ’23
Equine Pre-Veterinary/Pre-Graduate Studies alum, student at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
Is Equine Pre-Veterinary/Pre-Graduate Studies a good fit for you?
- No equine experience? Or, only interested in small animals? No problem! The hands-on experience at Otterbein will take you further then you ever imagined and is applicable across species.
- Don’t want to go to veterinary school? This major provides you with other options! You will have a strong background in the sciences and opportunities for student research, preparing you for graduate school and other careers.
- Experienced with horses? – Great! There’s always more to learn.
Situated on 70 acres in a pristine setting in the heart of Westerville, the Knowlton Center is only two miles from Otterbein’s main campus. Visit our state-of-the-art facilities to see why the Knowlton Center is recognized for “best practices” in equine management techniques.
No matter your experience or your goals — there’s a place for you here. You don’t have to be a major to ride with our nationally recognized team. In fact, about half of our team members are non-majors. You also don’t have to ride to be an equine major at Otterbein.
Mattie Boyd ’16
Biology major, equestrian team member, and now Inside Sales Manager at FarmVet
Equine Sciences Department News
Otterbein Equestrian Team Competition Schedule 2023 – 24
News - January 29, 2024
September 22-23, 2023: TOC @ St. Mary’s Terre Haute, IN October 7-8, 2023: IDA show @ Miami University October 21-22, 2023: IHSA show @ Kenyon College @ Brave Horse October 28-29, 2023: IDA show @ Lake Erie College Nov 4, 2023: IDA show @ Otterbein Nov 18-19, 2023: IHSA show @ Otterbein January 27-28, 2024: Hosting IEA Dressage Regionals @ Otterbein Feb 3-4, 2024: IHSA @ OSU Feb 10-11, 2024: IDA @ Otterbein Feb 17-18, 2024: IHSA @ Ohio University March…National Media Recognize Otterbein University for Programs and Values
News - September 18, 2023
Otterbein University has been collecting honors this fall, as it is recognized in national publications for its programs and values, including U.S. News & World Report, Colleges of Distinction, and Washington Monthly. US News & World Report Otterbein University has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for its academic excellence, commitment to undergraduate teaching, and focus on affordability, student success outcomes, and experiential learning. In the 2024 Best Colleges rankings by U.S. News & World Report, Otterbein has…Fast Track Innovation Fund Lets Community Shape Otterbein’s Growth
News - July 31, 2023
Otterbein University is using an innovative approach to grow enrollment and revenue by “crowd sourcing” ideas from its own community and investing in the best ideas with $1 million approved by the Board of Trustees. Under the Fast Track Innovation Fund initiative, seven projects proposed by Otterbein faculty and staff in May have been funded and are already being implemented on campus. “This investment in Otterbein’s future demonstrates our trustees’ commitment to allowing every member of our community to be heard…Cool Courses: Therapeutic Riding Teams Otterbein Students Up with Special Olympics Athletes
News - June 23, 2023
What does a student need to learn to work in therapeutic riding? It turns out, A LOT! From paperwork to training, horse selection to teaching, and even managing volunteers. Luckily, Associate Professor Steffanie Burk, Department of Equine Science, has developed the perfect course to teach Otterbein students how to manage all of that, and do some good in the community by working with Special Olympics athletes. Let’s find out more about the course! Therapeutic Riding This course provides theory and…Contact Us
Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science
600 N. Spring Rd
Westerville, OH 43082
Administrative Assistant
Jane Kidder
614-823-3020
otterbeinequine@Otterbein.edu
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