Equine Pre-Veterinary Science, B.S.

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Degrees Awarded: Bachelor of Science

Students enrolling in equine studies classes must meet standards established for physical abilities to participate in any experiential activities involving horses, including riding horses and barn activities. Equine welfare standards and best practices mandate that horses will not be expected to carry a rider and tack exceeding 20% of the horse’s body weight. Riders over 240 pounds are ineligible to ride. See the Equine Studies Student and Rider Eligibility Standards policy available from the School of Equine Studies.

Students enrolling in an equine studies major, taking riding classes and participating on an equestrian riding team at Lake Erie College are required to participate and maintain good standing in the Horse Care Responsibility Standards Program. See the Equine Studies Student and Rider Horse Care Responsibility Standards - Developing Leadership for Equine Professionals available from the School of Equine Studies.

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science

The major in equine pre-veterinary science prepares students for entrance into veterinary school while providing a proven experiential education in equine facility management for a career in the equine industry.

General requirements for students in the equine pre-veterinary science program

Admission to professional veterinary school programs is arduous. The equine pre-veterinary science program combines academic rigor and experience in the basic and equine sciences to help the student prepare a high-quality application to enter veterinary school. Students in the major must earn grades of C- or above in biology, chemistry and equine anatomy and physiology at Lake Erie College. One probationary semester for freshman is permitted. Freshman may repeat a course once for grade improvement above D+. The student’s cumulative GPA must be 3.0 or higher at the end of their fourth semester on the LEC campus. Transfer students must meet with the Dean of the School of Equine Studies for transcript review and to request admission to the program. For graduation in this major, all Equine Pre-Veterinary Science majors must achieve a minimum 2.7 career GPA and a minimum 3.0 cumulative major GPA. Students who are not making acceptable academic progress may be dismissed from the program.

Many colleges of veterinary medicine require specific science and mathematics coursework, as well as coursework in other areas such as animal science, immunology, cell biology, genetics, psychology, and sociology. Equine Pre-Veterinary Science students should seek advice from pre-professional advisors to ensure that their course selections will be appropriate prerequisites for admission to the veterinary medical schools of their choice.

Requirements for the Major:

71-72 semester credits including:

Courses in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics: (41 SH)

BI 102 - Introductory Biology II Semester Hour(s): 3 * AND
BI 102L - Introductory Biology II Lab Semester Hour(s): 1 *
BI 205 - Microbiology Semester Hour(s): 4 AND
BI 205L - Microbiology Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
BI 302 - Biochemistry Semester Hour(s): 3 AND
BI 302L - Biochemistry Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
CH 103 - General Chemistry I Semester Hour(s): 3 * AND
CH 103L - General Chemistry I Lab Semester Hour(s): 1 *
CH 104 - General Chemistry II Semester Hour(s): 3 * AND
CH 104L - General Chemistry II Lab Semester Hour(s): 1 *
CH 211 - Organic Chemistry I Semester Hour(s): 3 AND
CH 211L - Organic Chemistry I Lab Semester Hour(s): 1 AND
CH 211LL - Organic Chemistry I Lab Lecture Semester Hour(s): 1
CH 212 - Organic Chemistry II Semester Hour(s): 3 AND
CH 212L - Organic Chemistry II Lab Semester Hour(s): 1 AND
CH 212LL - Organic Chemistry II Lab Lecture Semester Hour(s): 1
PC 201 - General Physics I Semester Hour(s): 3 AND
PC 201L - General Physics I Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
PC 202 - General Physics II Semester Hour(s): 3 AND
PC 202L - General Physics II Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
SC 101 - Methods of Science I Semester Hour(s): 1
SC 102 - Methods of Science II Semester Hour(s): 1

Courses in the School of Equine Studies: (29 SH)

EQ 109 - Introduction to the Equine Industry Semester Hour(s): 3
EQ 110 - Horse Care Practicum Semester Hour(s): 4
EQ 210 - Equine Health Semester Hour(s): 3
EQ 211 - Equestrian Business Essentials Semester Hour(s): 3
EQ 238 - Equine Anatomy and Physiology I Semester Hour(s): 3 *
EQ 239 - Equine Anatomy and Physiology II Semester Hour(s): 3 *
EQ 250 - Internship in Equine Studies Semester Hour(s): 1-5 OR
EQ 350 - Internship in Equine Studies Semester Hour(s): 1-5
EQ 320 - Equine Nutrition Semester Hour(s): 3
EQ 324 - Pasture Management Semester Hour(s): 3
EQ 331 - Equine Lameness Semester Hour(s): 3

Equine Pre-Veterinary Science Group 2

CORE requirements:

BI 101 - Introductory Biology I Semester Hour(s): 3 * AND *Meets General Education Requirement for CORE
BI 101L - Introductory Biology I Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
MT 109 - Pre-Calculus I Semester Hour(s): 4 *Meets Basic Proficiency Requirement for CORE

Additional Information

*Students in the Equine Pre-Veterinary Science program must earn a grade of C- or higher in these courses be maintain their seat in this program.

Equine Pre-Veterinary Science Group 3

One or two semester credits from:

EQR 140 - Beginning Forward Seat Riding Semester Hour(s): 1
EQR 141 - Novice Forward Seat Riding Semester Hour(s): 1
EQR 142 - Intermediate Forward Seat Riding Semester Hour(s): 1
EQR 143 - Advanced Forward Seat Riding Semester Hour(s): 1
EQR 112 - Riding Fundamentals 2 Semester Hour(s): 1
EQR 114 - Principles of Dressage Semester Hour(s): 1
EQR 201 - Western Seat I Semester Hour(s): 1
EQ 115 - Assisting with Therapeutic Riding Semester Hour(s): 2
EQR 202 - Western Seat II Semester Hour(s): 1 OR

Additional Information

NOTE: The required Equine Pre-Veterinary Science Group 3 course must be completed by the spring semester of the junior year.

Additional Requirements

Students must either acquire First Aid and Adult CPR Certification or take PE 110 in Junior or Senior year, and hold status at the time of graduation.

PE 110 - First Aid and CPR Certification Semester Hour(s): 2 OR
Proof of current First Aid and CPR Certification

Additional Information

Essential skills and proficiency testing will be assessed periodically for students in this Equine Studies program. Students in this major must comply with all Student Standards components of the Equine Studies Student and Rider Eligibility Standards.

Recommended as electives:

BI 220 - Medical Terminology Semester Hour(s): 2
BI 301 - Genetics Semester Hour(s): 3
BI 301L - Genetics Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
BI 203 - Cell and Molecular Biology Semester Hour(s): 3
BI 203L - Cell and Molecular Biology Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
EC 202 - Microeconomics Semester Hour(s): 3 **Meets General Education Requirement
EQ 212 - Equine Facilities Management and Operations Semester Hour(s): 3
EQ 312 - Principles and Theory of Competition Semester Hour(s): 2
MT 210 - Calculus and Analytical Geometry I Semester Hour(s): 5