The equine science industry includes a diverse list of potential careers, including options in the fields of medicine, tourism and breeding. Depending on the path you wish to pursue, education can range from a high school diploma to a doctorate in veterinary medicine. Here you can learn more about the requirements for veterinarians, animal breeders and animal trainers.
Essential Information
Individuals in equine science work with horses in diverse industries, including medicine, entertainment, racing, tourism, recreation, breeding and sales. Careers in equine science require varying levels of education, ranging from some high school to a degree in veterinary medicine.
| Career | Veterinarian | Animal Breeder | Animal Trainer |
| Education Requirements | Doctor of Veterinary Medicine | High school diploma may be required | High school diploma |
| Other Requirements | State license | Coursework in higher education may be required | |
| Projected Job Growth | 16% from 2019-2029* | -3% from 2019-2029* | 13% from 2019-2029* |
| Average Salary (2019) | $104,820 annually* | $46,420 annually* | $36,240 annually* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Options
Careers in equine science span a variety of fields and the amount of education required for a job depends on the position and industry. Many careers are open to students of equine science, including veterinary medicine, animal breeding and animal training, which are detailed below.
Veterinarians
Specialists in horse care and veterinary medicine are needed in all horse industries. Equine veterinarians specialize in horse nutrition and medical care and may be assisted by veterinary technicians. Basic care might include trimming hooves, administering shots and cleaning teeth. Completion of veterinary medical school is required to be a veterinarian as well as licensure in the state that one practices.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), veterinarians can expect an much faster than average increase in jobs of 16% from 2019-2029, with especially good prospects for large animal vets, including equine vets. In May 2019, vets made an average yearly salary of $104,820. Vet techs, who assist veterinarians, have a bright future--especially in rural areas--with an even higher job growth rate of 16% from 2019-2029. Their average annual wage in May 2019 was $36,670.
Animal Breeders
Animal breeders use knowledge of equine reproduction and foal care to breed quality horses for showing, racing and rodeo riding. Most animal breeders hold at least a high school diploma.
This group of professionals is predicted to experience a 3% decline in jobs during the 2019-2029 decade and, according to the BLS in May 2019, earned an average of $46,420.
Animal Trainers
Equine animal trainers work to train horses in preparation for riding, obedience, or performance for a competition or show. Animal breeding usually requires at least a high school diploma or equivalent, and equine horse trainers, in particular, may need higher education courses at a community college or vocational school for qualification.
Jobs for animal trainers are expected to rise by 13% from 2019-2029, which is faster than average, though there is expected to be very strong competition for jobs in horse training. Animal trainers, in general, earned $36,240 on average in May 2019.
Other Career Options
Jobs that can be learned through experience include trail guides, carriage drivers, stable hands and riding instructors. Other positions in the racing and tourist industries may require some education past high school, including jockeys, racing stewards and stable managers. A bachelor's degree in equine science or a related field might be expected for positions as horse competition judges and stable managers.
Typical equine science courses include equine reproduction, livestock nutrition, agriculture economics and equine management. Degree programs with an industry focus may offer specialized courses, such as equine genetics, horse judging, riding instruction or foaling management.
Tourism and Recreation
Careers in the tourism and recreation industries include guiding groups, driving carriages and instructing horseback riders. Trail guides lead people with varying levels of experience on horseback rides. Hunting, site seeing, backpacking and pleasure riding are some reasons a trail guide may be hired. Trail guide and carriage driver positions may be seasonal in some locations. Riding instructors teach equestrians of all ages to ride and care for horses.
Entertainment
Jobs in the horse racing, equestrian show and rodeo industries include jockeying, judging and bronco riding. Horse jockeys racehorses professionally. They work as independent contractors and may ride different horses in races across the country. Judges find employment evaluating the performance of horses in various events at horse shows, rodeos and races. Rodeo cowboys ride horses in competitions, which measure skill, speed and endurance.
Stable Management
Stable management positions include stable hands and stable managers. Stable hands work under the supervision of stable managers to maintain horses and the barns in which they live. Their duties include feeding and grooming horses, performing basic first aid, cleaning stalls and maintaining corrals.
Stable managers oversee stable hands, create and maintain feeding and exercise schedules and ensure that horses get medical care when necessary. They also may be involved in training horses.
Equine careers include jobs where you provide medical care to horses, breed horses, or train horses for shows and competition. Education and training requirements vary for all of these careers; some positions allow you to work with horses right out of high school while others require a degree in veterinary medicine.
