Natural Horsemanship Degree from University of Montana Western

Per UMW:

• Management — prepares students to run their own training or boarding facility, run a small business in an equine-related area, or manage the equine aspects of larger business or other enterprise.
• Psychology — geared toward individuals interested in equine-assisted learning and/or equine-assisted therapy. Graduates may go on to graduate school in clinical therapy or become horse specialists through organizations such as the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EGALA).
• Science — for students interested in science and a greater understanding of the biology of a horse. Often a path to veterinary school or graduate school in equine science.
• Instruction — for students preparing to instruct others in horsemanship methods and techniques. Graduates may teach at clinics, barns, colleges, or pursue further studies with organizations including the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA).

Per UMW, four degree paths:

• B.S. in Natural Horsemanship — four-year program. Students often double-major in business, biology, or psychology based on goals (career field or graduate school in areas including veterinary science).
• B.S. in Business Administration, Equine Management option — prepares students to start or manage an equestrian-related business. Does not require students to bring a horse.
• A.A.S. in Equine Studies — two-year degree, broad-based introduction. Does not require students to bring a horse. Most courses apply toward the bachelor's if a student advances.
• A.A.S. in Natural Horsemanship — two-year program. Basics of natural horsemanship; all courses apply toward the bachelor's if the student advances.

Important program rule: Natural Horsemanship majors must first be admitted to the university and then apply to the Natural Horsemanship program separately.

Per UMW, since 2004 Montana Western has operated the unique Natural Horsemanship program employing the La Cense Method — a world-renowned methodology in natural horsemanship education developed under Mr. William Kriegel. The program teaches students to work with horses using cooperative methods based on the principles of equine behavior. Students accepted into the program initially work toward an A.A.S. degree. Students wishing to pursue a bachelor's degree must satisfactorily pass qualifying exams after the second year to continue into the third and fourth years, and must maintain a "B" average in the program to progress. Students must also have a horse to be admitted to the natural horsemanship programs.

Per UMW, in 2011 Montana Western entered into a partnership with the Montana Center for Horsemanship (MCH) to maintain the highest quality instruction and ensure a thriving future of its equine programs. MCH provides a state-of-the-art equine facility for program instruction and the boarding of horses. Horses are fed and pens are cleaned by MCH staff. Facility features:

• 200' × 300' arena building with a 135' × 300' indoor riding arena
• 80' × 140' Coverall arena
• 150' × 300' full-size outdoor arena
• Individual horse boarding in 20' × 60' pens (12' × 20' covered)
• Individual tack lockers under the covered pen
• Long-term trailer parking and short-term vehicle parking

Special program tuition: $1,850 per semester for resident and non-resident natural horsemanship majors seeking an A.A.S. or B.S. degree. This special tuition helps cover the costs of instruction, equipment, facilities, boarding, feeding, and stall cleaning. Pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors — confirm current tuition with UMW Admissions directly.

Per UMW, the Colt Challenge and Sale is an annual colt competition and sale that advocates education across all aspects of the horse industry. It's the result of two capstone courses — Sales Preparation I and II. Colts are donated by local and regional ranches focused on performance and cow-horse bloodlines. For six months, students work with the colts in a ranch atmosphere. In the spring, students compete on their colt for scholarships and prizes; the following day, the colts are sold to raise scholarship funds for the Natural Horsemanship program.

International internship opportunities for instruction majors:

• Deutsche Quarter Horse Association — students travel to Germany and teach horsemanship methods and techniques to foreign students in the western discipline for two weeks.
• Ecole du Domaine du Possible — students travel to southern France for a semester-long program teaching young students about the methods and techniques of natural horsemanship.

Per UMW, the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a scholarship program in which students in eligible states can receive a scholarship valued at over $7,500 annually. WUE is administered by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WICHE states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Eligibility:

• High school students: minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA — automatically awarded.
• Transfer students: minimum cumulative 2.7 GPA — also considered.
• Students must be fully admitted to Montana Western by July 1 to be eligible.

Pricing/scholarship amounts as quoted subject to change — confirm current eligibility with the UMW Admissions Office.

Per UMW, an equine-related major is NOT required to participate in these clubs:

• Equestrian Club — competes under the IHSA and IDA, members of the U.S.A. Equestrian Federation. Riders may have experience or be beginners; Western or English. Owning a horse is not required. IHSA competitions are affordable because individual colleges host events and provide horses; riders are not allowed to use their own horses or personal tack.
• Horseman's Club — promotes and enhances the art of horsemanship, fostering camaraderie across all disciplines.
• Draft Horse Driving Club — promotes draft horse driving as an organized and standard sport.
• Collegiate Stockgrowers Club — educates students on opportunities and careers in agriculture; attends the Denver National Stock Show.
• Vet Science Club — engagement with faculty around veterinary medicine, science, and related techniques.
• Rodeo Team and Club — part of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA), with a long history of success. Notable alumni include Jess Martin, Ryan Mapston, Jesse Peterson, Jake Hayworth, Bry Worthen, and Jarrett Monroe. Coach: Kody Lahaye, 406-683-7001, kody.lahaye@umwestern.edu.
• Young Farmers and Ranchers Club — agricultural-issues organization; attends the National Convention each year.

To apply: visit the UMW Admissions webpage or call 1-877-683-7331, email admissions@umwestern.edu. School of Outreach also offers workshops and weekend courses — call (866) 799-9140 or (406) 683-7537. Address: 710 S. Atlantic Street, Dillon, Montana 59725. Web: umwestern.edu/academics/equine-studies.html. Reminder: Natural Horsemanship majors must first be admitted to the university and then apply to the Natural Horsemanship program separately.

Yes — and Montana Western’s is the one. The University of Montana Western awards a four-year Bachelor of Science in Natural Horsemanship, the only degree of its kind, taught through the La Cense Method with daily hands-on horse work at the Montana Center for Horsemanship. A two-year Associate of Applied Science in Equine Studies and a business degree with an Equine Management option round out the paths.

Three things separate serious horse career schools from expensive detours: accreditation (a real university degree travels with you), daily saddle time (horsemanship is learned with reins in hand, not just in lecture halls), and career-shaped options. Montana Western checks all three — four emphasis options (management, psychology, science, instruction), a working equine facility, and scholarship programs like the Western Undergraduate Exchange that make it affordable.