Equine Industries - Riding and Breeding

Opportunities for Riding

The equitation classes are open to students of all levels and meet twice weekly. We emphasize dressage for the flat schools and both hunt seat equitation and a functional cross country position as students school on the cross country course as well. These classes require a $500 per semester fee, payable to the University of Massachusetts. The Theory and Method of Equitation Instruction class allows students the opportunity to teach within our program and become licensed by the State of Massachusetts. We also offer a training course, which allows students the opportunity to work with our young stock on the ground. Upon completion of this course, if their riding level warrants, they may continue the training from the saddle.

Emphasis in equitation courses is on dressage, and show jumping with an emphasis on equitation . You may take courses in breaking and training. Practice Teaching Equitation is also an option for those who want to become licensed instructors. You may also try out for the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association equestrian team or Interscholastic Dressage Association dressage team and compete throughout the year with other colleges in the Northeast region.

Equestrian Teams

ISHA Equestrian Team

The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) is a national organization of 300 colleges and universities that have teams competing in equestrian sports.

Intercollegiate Dressage Team

Dressage is considered the "ballet" version of riding, due to its elegance and grace. Dressage riders strive to achieve perfect harmony with their horse through communication, partnership, and correctness in their riding. Riders aim to make their horses supple, consistent, and attentive to their every move.

Production of Foals at UMass

Horses bred at UMass are Morgan purebreds of the Bay State line. The lineage of these Morgans goes back to the old Government line of cavalry remounts bred by the U.S. Army. When the cavalry was disbanded after W.W. II, the breeding stock was donated to Land Grant Colleges throughout the Northeast. For the last 15 years our main standing stallion has been Windcrest Highlander. For breeding purposes, semen is collected from our stallion and mares a bred by artificial insemination after careful monitoring by ultrasonographic examination. At least 2-4 foals are produced yearly.

Breeding at UMass

Our breeding program has two purposes. First, it serves an educational need for Animal Science students interested in equine reproduction. Secondly, the breeding program perpetuates the Bay State line, bringing foals yearly into the equine program. If suited for schooling, our foals become replacements in our equine riding program. For such purpose, foals are handled and trained by our students as part of their requirements in the Equine Studies Program or as an elective for students with Equine Sciences interest. Foals that are not suited to become school horses are trained and sold publicly in a silent auction.

The Teaching Aspect of Equine Breeding Management

Breeding of our Morgan horses is incorporated as part of a Horse Breeding Laboratory held in the spring semester. In this hands-on class, students learn and perform all techniques related to breeding, including semen collection from stallions, semen handling, evaluation and preparation for cooled shipment, mare teasing and interpretation of ultrasound findings for appropriate breeding management, and assisted reproductive techniques such as freezing semen. Additionally, our students take turns to stay at the farm to monitor our pregnant mares for foaling management.

For more information, visit Veterinary and Animal Science.