Academics
Cal Poly Pomona is a unique educational institution. One feature that attracts many students is our equine programs. Students can pursue a degree in animal science, specializing in equine sciences, as well as participate in equine extracurricular activities.
Academic Program
Cal Poly Pomona offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. Students have the choice of selecting from one of two options to focus their studies in, Pre-Vet/Grad School, or Animal Industry. Within the Animal Industry option, students can choose one of two tracks, Equine Industry and Agribusiness. And even further within the Equine Industry Track, students can focus on science courses or business courses.
- Animal Science major
- Pre-Vet/Grad School option
- Animal Industry option
- Agribusiness track
- Equine track
- Science courses
- Business courses
Practical experience in the care and management of horses is an integral part of the animal science instructional program. Students are provided an opportunity to assist with the feeding, breeding, training and grooming of the equine herd, as well as participate in faculty directed research projects.
Program Description
The Animal Science major, with an option in Animal Industries/Business Management, Equine Industries Track, is designed to prepare students for employment as managers of equine enterprises and related agribusiness opportunities in the equine industry. The option combines course work in equine production, nutrition, breeding, genetics, and diseases, with studies in the management aspects of an equine enterprise.
Core Courses
Required of all students. A 2.0 cumulative GPA is required in core courses including option courses for the major in order to receive a degree in the major.
| Orientation to the College of Agriculture | AG 100 (1) |
| Ethical Issues in Food, Agricultural and Apparel Industries | AG 401 (4) |
| Feeds and Feeding | AVS 101/L (3/1) |
| Animal Science I: Food Animal Science | AVS 112 (4) |
| Animal Science II: Companion, Laboratory and Exotic Animal Science | AVS 113 (4) |
| Animal Science Laboratory I: Food Animal Management Laboratory | AVS 114L (1) |
| Animal Science Laboratory II: Companion, Laboratory, and Exotic Animal Science Lab | AVS 115L (1) |
| Animal Diseases | AVS 201 (3) |
| Anatomy and Phys. of Dom. Animals | AVS 350/L (5) |
Option Courses
| Animal Parasitology | AHS 302/L (4) |
| Principles of Market Animal and Carcass Evaluation | AVS 240/L (3) |
| Meat Science and Industry | AVS 327/L (4) |
| Animal Nutrition | AVS 402 (3) |
| or Applied Animal Feeding | AVS 303/L (4) |
| Animal Breeding | AVS 404/A (4) |
| or Genetics of Domestic Animals | AVS 305 (4) |
| Phys. of Reproduction and Lactation | AVS 414/L (4) |
| Biotech. Applications in Animal Sci. | AVS 430/L (4) |
| Undergraduate Seminar | AVS 463 (2) |
| or Development of Leadership Skills | AG 464 (3) |
| Accounting for Agribusiness | FMA 324 (4) |
| or Financial Acc. Decision Making | ACC 207/A (5) |
| Financial Analysis for Agribusiness | FMA 326 (4) |
| Agricultural Enterprise Management | FMA 328 (4) |
| Equine Enterprise Management | FMA 329 (3) |
| Equine Investment Management | FMA 429 (3) |
Support and Directed Courses
Students select one of the two emphasis areas: science or business.
| Computer Applications in Agriculture | AG 128/L (4) |
| College Algebra | MAT 105 (4) |
| Restricted Elective – Science Emphasis (30 units) | |
| Equine Management Science | AVS 125/L (4) |
| Farrier Science | AVS 234 (2) |
| Farrier Science Laboratory | AVS 235L (2) |
| Horsemanship | AVS 335L (2) |
| Equine Genetics | AVS 345 (3) |
| Equine Nutrition | AVS 355 (3) |
| Equine Herd Health and Management | AVS 365/L (4) |
| Equine Exercise Physiology | AVS 435 (3) |
| Equine Reproduction | AVS 434 (3) |
| Pasture and Forage Systems | AGR 223/L (4) |
| Restricted Elective – Business Emphasis (31-32 units) | |
| Principles of Economics | EC 201 (4) |
| Managerial Account. for Dec. Making | ACC 208/A (5) |
| Legal Environment of Business | FRL 201 (4) |
| Management Information Systems | CIS 310 (4) |
| Food and Agribusiness Marketing | FMA 304 (4) |
| or Principles of Marketing Mgmt. | IBM 301 (4) |
| Data Management for Agribusiness | FMA 375 (4) |
| or Managerial Statistics | TOM 302 (4) |
| Operations Management for Agribus. | FMA 376 (4) |
| or Operations Management | TOM 301 (4) |
| Managing Agribusiness Organizations | FMA 201 (3) |
| or Principles of Management | MHR 301 (4) |
| Managerial Finance | FRL 300 (3) |
| Agribusiness Personnel Management | FMA 402 (4) |
| or Human Resource Management | MHR 311 (4) |
General Education
Students should consult the catalog website for current information regarding this requirement. Unless specific courses are stated below, see the list of approved courses under General Education Requirements, Areas A through E.
Area A:
- Written Communication (4)
- Oral Communication (4)
- Critical Thinking (4)
Area B:
- Statistics with Applications STA 120 (4)
- College Chemistry CHM 121/L (4)
- Basic Biology BIO 115/L (5)
- The Animal Industry and Society AVS 311 (4)
Area C:
- Select one course (4)
- Select one course (4)
- Select one course (4)
- Select one course (4)
Area D:
- a. Introduction to American Gov’t. PLS 201 (4)
b. United States History HST 202 (4) - Agriculture and the Modern World AG 101 (4)
- Select one course (4)
- Select one course (4)
Area E:
- Drugs and Society AVS 211 (4)
Course Descriptions
AVS 124/124A Basic Equitation (1/2)
The fundamentals of the art of equitation. The anatomy of the horse as it pertains to riding. Equipment utilized in training and riding, care of the horse and safety precautions emphasized. 1 lecture, 2 two-hour activities. Concurrent enrollment required.
AVS 125/125L Equine Management Science (3/1)
A study of the horse industry emphasizing the importance of breeds, selection, evaluation, nutrition, breeding principles, disease control, equipment, and facilities to ensure scientifically-based management decisions. 3 lectures, 1 three-hour laboratory. Concurrent enrollment required.
AVS 132/132L Light Horse Halter and Performance Evaluation (1/1)
Visual evaluation of various breeds of light horses at the halter and under saddle. Intensive training for intercollegiate horse judging competition. 1 lecture, 1 three-hour laboratory. Concurrent enrollment required.
AVS 224A Intermediate Equitation (2)
An activity riding class allowing students to develop proficiency in the riding skills they have been exposed to in prior experience. 2 two-hour activity periods.
AVS 234 Farrier Science (2)
Understanding the fundamentals of horseshoeing, anatomy and physiology of the horses foot, pastern and leg. Caring for the horses feet and legs, principles of horseshoeing and introduction to corrective shoeing. 2 lectures.
AVS 235L Farrier Science (2)
Fundamentals of horseshoeing, anatomy and physiology of the horses foot, pastern and leg. Trimming feet, fitting, milling shoes, principles of horseshoeing, an introduction to corrective shoeing. 2 three-hour laboratories. Prerequisite: AVS 234 or concurrent enrollment in AVS 234.
AVS 335L Horsemanship (2)
Theory and practice of basic training principles and methods. Handling, training, grooming of the young foal and yearling. Instruction in long line training and ground driving. 2 three-hour laboratories. Prerequisite: AVS 125/125L.
AVS 345 Equine Genetics and Breeding Principles (3)
Principles of inheritance for qualitative and quantitative traits. Inheritance of color in the horse. Genetically caused abnormalities; methods of detection of carrier animals. Mare and stallion selection; pedigrees and other types of performance information and their use. 3 lectures. Prerequisites: BIO 115/115L, AVS 125/125L.
AVS 355 Equine Nutrition (3)
Anatomy of the digestive tract of the horse as it affects feeding practices. Nutrient requirements for maintenance, work, pregnancy, and lactation in the horse. Interpreting National Research Council Nutrient Requirements for Horses. Assessing recent advances in horse nutrition. 3 lectures. Prerequisites: AVS 101/101L, AVS 125/125L.
AVS 365/365L Equine Herd Health Care and Management (3/1)
A study of the etiology, symptomalogy, and control of infectious, nutritional and parasitic diseases of horses. 3 lectures, 1 three-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: AVS 125/125L. Concurrent enrollment required.
AVS 434 Equine Reproduction (3)
Distance learning course that provides in-depth knowledge of the reproductive physiology, anatomy and endocrinology of the mare and stallion. Emphasis on structure/function relationships as they are applied to improving equine reproductive management and efficiency. 3 lectures.
AVS 435 Equine Exercise Physiology (3)
The basic and applied physiology of the exercising horse. Discussion of muscular respiratory, cardiovascular, nutritional and osmo-regulatory physiology. Includes gait analysis, lameness and pharmacology. 3 lectures. Prerequisite: AVS 350/350L.
FMA 329 Equine Enterprise Management (3)
Equine enterprise analysis with emphasis on capital acquisition, leasing, land acquisition, legal problems and labor problems. 3 lectures. Prerequisites: FMA 328, AVS 125/125L.
FMA 429 Equine Investment Management (3)
In-depth analysis of equine investments. Emphasis on capital acquisition, equine tax law, limited partnerships, joint ventures, and stallion or mare syndications. 3 lectures.
FMA 430 Equine Appraisal and Evaluation (3)
Principles of equine evaluation and appraisal. The student will perform an actual appraisal and be required to prepare an appraisal report. 3 lectures.
Distance Learning
Cal Poly Pomona is a leader in providing "distance learning" classes in the equine sciences. These classes are taught via interactive telecommunications links between participating schools within the California State University and University of California systems. Equine science courses presently offered by Cal Poly Pomona include Equine Nutrition, Equine Exercise Physiology and Farrier Science.
Career Opportunities
Employment possibilities in the horse industry and related areas are extremely varied. Many individuals are interested in working toward ranch management and professional trainer positions. In these areas, as in almost all the others, a great deal of on-the-job training and experience is essential. Graduates have been successful in obtaining these goals, but a great deal of determination and patience is truly necessary.
The areas of sales, promotion, and advertising are interesting possibilities that require a strong background in business, journalism, public relations, advertising and photography. A top flight person will be well rewarded financially as well as professionally satisfied. Sale areas may include feed, supplements, equipment, barns, and magazine and newspaper advertising.
Graduates also have advanced into management positions in breed registries. Feed companies frequently employ graduates in sales and production related positions. Advanced degrees are many times required prior to being employed in the feed or supplement manufacturing business.
Educational institutions are major employers of graduates with equine related experience and advanced degrees. In some instances, a M. S. degree will suffice, but generally a Ph.D. is required.
Our graduates are employed in the following type positions: breed registry executives, horse trainers (race and show horses), farm managers and supervisors, farriers, breed registry technicians, salespersons in horse related areas (feed, tack and equipment, pharmaceuticals, etc.), veterinarians, veterinary technicians, equine transportation specialists, magazine writers, and farm land appraisers.
Staff
Animal & Veterinary Sciences Department
Building 2, Room 123
Telephone: (909) 869-2216
Chair: Ed Fonda
Administrative Support Coordinator: Penne Fode