Specialized Certificate Program (9 credits)
The Equine Behavior & Management program is designed for horse trainers, owners and enthusiasts that would like to develop a deeper understanding of equine behavior - including training, cognition, emotions, health and nutrition. Our comprehensive program will improve the management of the horses in your care, enhancing their welfare and producing a stronger human-equine bond. Your specialized training will allow you to:
- Create and implement training plans to teach horses new behaviors and to extinguish or reduce unwanted behaviors.
- Develop a firm understanding of equine social behavior, including dominance, herd structure, reproductive behavior, parental behavior, and courtship.
- Interpret equine sounds and body language in order to improve human-equine communication.
- Develop a detailed understanding of equine sensory systems and how horses process information.
- Identify signs of anxiety and boredom in horses and create an environment that reduces stress.
- Select the most appropriate equipment and techniques to minimize anxiety during training.
- Create an effective diet based on an animal’s age, sex, reproductive condition, and activity.
- Recognize common ailments and their symptoms.
The specialized certificate in Equine Behavior & Management requires the completion of three online courses (9 academic credits) and a field requirement consisting of 40 hours of hands-on experience as an employee, intern or volunteer at an approved institution of your choice. The required courses for this specialized certificate program are:
- ABI 127 Equine Minds & Emotions
- ABI 237 Equine Behavior
- ABI 317 Equine Health & Nutrition
Upon graduation, students may begin using the designation CEBMS, Certified Equine Behavior and Management Specialist. Many of our graduates start their own businesses after obtaining their certificate, working as independent trainers and behavioral consultants. Other graduates find work at riding stables, training facilities, or equestrian centers. The outlook for professionals in animal care and service, which includes equine trainers, is very positive. Employment in these areas is expected to grow 11% over the 2016-26 decade, faster than the average for all occupations*. Salaries vary greatly based on the specific field or employer. For example, independent animal trainers may work for $20-50/hour or more. Animal care staff working in other fields may earn considerably less.
The Animal Behavior Institute is the only institution to offer accredited, online programs in Equine Behavior & Management. Our program is unlike any other distance education program. Students at the Animal Behavior Institute participate in a highly interactive online classroom, engaging in regular dialog with their professors and student colleagues. Students receive feedback each week, working on collaborative projects while training their own animals. This allows them to achieve a deeper level of understanding than they would develop on their own. This collaboration, coupled with the mentoring each student receives from their instructors, ensures that they receive a very personal education.
Tuition is $1,320 per course; the total tuition for the certificate program is $3,960 (textbooks are purchased separately). Tuition assistance is available via interest-free financing. If you have questions on the program, or need help getting started, please contact us at (866) 755-0448 or via email at [email protected].
*U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition.
Learn more about Careers in Equine Behavior & Management.