A horse with paint on its body showing where bones in its skeleton are, with a rider on its back, jumping over a jump
BSc (Hons)

Equine Performance Science

Learn how to manage the human-horse partnership covering areas such as training, coaching, nutrition and performance.

Our BSc (Hons) Equine Performance Science degree is all about putting science into practice.

It will give you a thorough grounding in the scientific principles underpinning horse health and management. But we’ll also explore elements such as coaching the rider, saddle fit, behaviour, farriery, managing gait abnormalities and more.

You’ll be based in the Equine Training and Development Centre, which offers extensive facilities including a working stable yard, riding arenas and an equine therapy barn. There are around 70 horses on campus, and you’re able to bring your own horse to university too: find out more about our DIY Livery Yard.

Equine athletes are complex, with various strands of support combining to maximise their performance.

As a graduate, you’ll have a thorough understanding of all possible contributors to performance – from a micro to macro level – and be ready to contribute positively to equine performance.

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Why ARU?

  • Having the ARU Writtle Academy riders and their horses on site, students can see first hand how each horse is trained as an individual depending on their status and discipline

  • Case study examples are embedded into the delivery in as many scenarios as possible as they are key to giving 'real life' experiences

  • Learn on our Equine Training and Development Centre, which offers extensive facilities including a working stable yard, riding arenas and an equine therapy barn

  • Gain a thorough grounding in the scientific principles enhancing horse health and performance

  • Join our Equine Academy, which supports talented competition riders and provides coaching from UKCC-qualified coaches

  • Choose one of our DIY livery packages and bring your horse to university while you study

Course options

Key facts

Looking for different course options?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Equine Anatomy and Physiology (15 credits)
  • Equine Practical Skills (15 credits)
  • Equine Health Management (15 credits)
  • Assessment for Performance and Health (15 credits)
  • Equine Nutrition (15 credits)
  • Breeding and Foaling (15 credits)
  • Saddle Fit and Farriery (15 credits)
  • Functional Anatomy (15 credits)
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Research Methods (15 credits)
  • Business Skills (15 credits)
  • Equitation and Coaching (15 credits)
  • Exercise Physiology (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Animal Biomechanics (15 credits)
  • Young Horse Production (15 credits)
  • Equine Health and Disease (15 credits)
  • Extrinsic Factors Affecting Equine Performance (15 credits)
Year 3
  • Capstone Project (30 credits)
  • Influencing Equine Performance (15 credits)
  • Biomechanics (15 credits)
  • Applied and Clinical Equine Nutrition (15 credits)
  • Equitation Science (15 credits)
  • Current Issues in the Equine Industry (15 credits)
  • Sports Medicine (15 credits)
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1
  • Academic and Personal Management Skills (20 credits)
  • Biological Concepts (Introduction to Laboratory Skills) (20 credits)
  • Maths for IT and Science (15 credits)
  • Chemistry for Life Sciences (15 credits)
  • Independent (Themed) Project (20 credits)
  • Applied Industry Techniques (30 credits)
Module details

If you study the Cert HE, you'll take the Year 1 five core modules then follow one of five pathways. Each pathway includes two to three optional modules, and is a route into one of our five BSc (Hons) equine degrees. These degrees are:

  • Equine Behavioural Science
  • Equine Bioveterinary Science
  • Equine Performance Science
  • Equine Performance and Business Management
  • Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation.

Our course team includes industry-experienced staff and practitioners in equine rehabilitation, behaviour, nutrition and breeding, as well as competition riders and UKCC coaches.

Facilities

Study equine courses with ARU in Writtle and benefit from our Equine Training and Development Centre. We have around 70 horses on campus, with a working stable yard, indoor and outdoor riding arenas, an oval horse walker, therapy barn. On our 150-hectare campus with grazing and space for events we have a DIY Livery Yard for students' horses. Take a guided tour and meet our students.

You’ll also be able to make full use of facilities including extensive library and IT resources and access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.

Equine Academy: support for talented riders

The Equine Academy at ARU Writtle supports a group of competition-level riders every year. It offers training sessions for the rider, stabling for the horse, and access to our equine facilities and experienced support staff.

Find out more about eligibility and how to apply.

  • Horses poking their heads over the stalls in the academy barn

    Academy barn - Writtle students are able to bring their own horses to university with them on DIY livery.

  • Central track and turnout leading to the Equine Training and Development Centre

    Central track and turnout which leads to our Equine Training and Development Centre

  • An aerial view of the Equine Training and Development Centre

    Our Equine Training and Development Centre, home to all things equine and approximately 70 horses.

  • A horse water treadmill

    Horse water treadmill

  • An indoor equestrian arena

    This is the largest of our arenas (24m x 60m), each of which have a different surface. This allows students to assess the impact of surfaces on equine biomechanics.

  • Equine outdoor arena

    Our outdoor arena is 20m x 60m in size and located next to the horse walker.

  • The tempo indoor equestrian arena

    Tempo arena is one of our indoor arenas, 24m x 55m in size. DIY Livery students have access to all of our facilities when not being used for teaching purposes.

  • An equine therapy barn

    The Therapy Barn is a large teaching space that allows presentations to be shared with students while simultaneously apply their learnt techniques.

    • ;
  • Horses poking their heads over the stalls in the academy barn
  • Central track and turnout leading to the Equine Training and Development Centre
  • An aerial view of the Equine Training and Development Centre
  • A horse water treadmill
  • An indoor equestrian arena
  • Equine outdoor arena
  • The tempo indoor equestrian arena
  • An equine therapy barn
  • Horses poking their heads over the stalls in the academy barn
  • Central track and turnout leading to the Equine Training and Development Centre
  • An aerial view of the Equine Training and Development Centre
  • A horse water treadmill
  • An indoor equestrian arena
  • Equine outdoor arena
  • The tempo indoor equestrian arena
  • An equine therapy barn

Careers

As a graduate of our BSc (Hons) Equine Performance Science degree, you'll have the scientific understanding and practical knowledge to pursue a career in the equine industry.

Some of the job roles you may consider are:

  • horse and rider instructor
  • equine nutrition
  • show co-ordinator/event manager
  • equine trainer/educator
  • competition horse production.

Graduation doesn't have to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our MSc Equine Performance Science.

Entry requirements

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Aerial view of campus buildings and grounds in Writtle

Life in Writtle

Close to major cities, ARU Writtle is located on a picturesque 150-hectare campus in the heart of the Essex countryside.

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