by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Horse Husbandry/Equine Science & Management involves the study of Horse Husbandry/equine Science And Management. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Manage The Selection, Breeding, Care, And Maintenance Of Work, Athletic, And Show Horses; And To Manage Horse Farms, Stables, Tracks And Related Equipment And Operations. Includes Instruction In Applicable Principles Of Animal Science, Care, And Health; Stable And Track Management; Design And Operation Of Facilities And Equipment; And Related Issues Such As Regulations, Business Management; And Logistics. Continue reading for the important information every horse husbandry/equine science & management student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering horse husbandry/equine science & management programs.
Across the country, horse husbandry/equine science & management is a widely-pursued major, with 458 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Horse Husbandry/Equine Science & Management Schools ranking analyzes these 43 schools to determine the best overall colleges for horse husbandry/equine science & management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of horse husbandry/equine science & management programs later in this article.
Coursework for Horse Husbandry/Equine Science & Management build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations horse husbandry/equine science & management graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a horse husbandry/equine science & management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a horse husbandry/equine science & management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several horse husbandry/equine science & management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 74 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 63 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 146 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 174 |
People currently working in careers related to horse husbandry/equine science & management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 53.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 11.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in horse husbandry/equine science & management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in horse husbandry/equine science & management opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to horse husbandry/equine science & management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to horse husbandry/equine science & management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| Animal Breeders | 118,381 | 1.0% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of horse husbandry/equine science & management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,195 |
| 4 years | $41,174 |
| 5 years | $47,624 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for horse husbandry/equine science & management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers horse husbandry/equine science & management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
| Animal Breeders | $49,553 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
With 43 different horse husbandry/equine science & management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased horse husbandry/equine science & management school rankings to help you.
Students interested in horse husbandry/equine science & management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production | 841 |
| Agricultural Production Operations, General | 820 |
| Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture | 769 |
| Crop Production | 516 |
| Aquaculture | 127 |
| Dairy Husbandry and Production | 60 |
| Agricultural Production Operations, Other | 17 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
