USU Equine Experience community sessions are directed by university faculty, who are industry-certified instructors, with the assistance of trained student volunteers, and specially prepared horses. USU Equine Experience programs are part of USU's extension mission and include adaptive riding for individuals with disabilities, miliary veteran horsemanship experiences, equine-assisted learning activities, and other equine-assisted services. Through involvement in these programs, students apply what they have learned in academic courses to effect change in the community.
Visit our Facebook pageCommunity-Engaged Learning Program
Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) integrates meaningful community engagement with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Several of the Equine-human Science courses are approved CEL university courses and students can apply to became a CEL Scholar with their involvement.
Program Highlights
USU students, instructors in training, and trained staff facilitate adaptive riding lessons for individuals with special needs. Adaptive riding utilizes a combination of horsemanship related ground-skills and riding activities for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being of individuals with special needs. Each session focuses on horsemanship skills. These sessions meet academic outcomes by providing students hands-on volunteer opportunities.
USU Equine Experience’s military program serves active duty military members, veterans, and their families by offering sessions designed to promote wellness and personal growth. Our Veteran Equine Education and Veteran Equestrian Sport programs provide adaptive riding and competition opportunities for veterans throughout the year and seeks to provide a positive environment that promotes camaraderie among those involved. Our Equine Encounters equine-assisted learning program allows veterans to explore wellness principles while interacting with horses.