What courses are in the program?

General Education Core: 36 creditsEnvironmental Professional Core: 13 creditsElective Courses: 32 creditsProgram Core: 39 creditsANIM 205: Animal NutritionANIM 301: Animal Husbandry and GeneticsANIM 302: Animal Comparative AnatomyANIM 304: Animal Comparative PhysiologyANIM 315: Equine Health, Nutrition, and CareANIM 415: Horse Facility ManagementBIOL 301: Animal Behavior: The Evolution, Ecology, and Social Behavior of AnimalsBIOL 310: MicrobiologyBIOL 315: Cell BiologyCHEM 103: Chemistry IICHEM 104: Chemistry II LaboratoryCHEM 201: Organic Chemistry ICHEM 202: Organic Chemistry I LaboratoryCHEM 301: BiochemistryCHEM 302: Biochemistry Laboratory

100% Online Bachelor of Science Degree

Build a Career in the Science of Horse Care & Welfare

Advance equine health, training, and facility management across the horse industry.

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Unity’s online programs are trusted by over 10,000 students across all 50 states.

88% of Unity graduates are employed or earning advanced degrees within 6 months.

Program Overview

Equine Animal Science

This bachelor’s program combines skills-based learning in equine health, behavior science, and sustainable facility management with a deep understanding of horse genetics, nutrition, and reproduction, equipping you with the evidence-based knowledge and hands-on expertise to lead in training, facility operations, and ethical equine care across a wide range of industry settings.

Career Outlook: Agricultural Manager jobs in the U.S.

857 K

Number of jobs in 2023

86 K

Est. job growth through 2033

$ 88 k

Median annual salary 2024

*Source: O*Net/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unity Environmental University cannot guarantee employment. Salary data represents averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience.

CAREER OUTCOMES

What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s in Equine Animal Science?

Horse Trainer

Develop training programs that improve horse performance, safety, and welfare.

Stable Manager

Oversee horse care and facility operations to ensure health and sustainable management.

Equine Therapy Specialist

Design therapy programs that use the human-horse bond to support physical and emotional development.

Equine Nutritionist

Develop feeding strategies that support horse health and performance.

“What makes my experience at Unity special is that I now have a clear sense of purpose and certainty about my career path.”

Lauren M.
Bachelor of Science in Animal Health and Behavior

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Lauren M.
Bachelor of Science in Animal Health and Behavior

After cycling through a series of unsatisfying jobs, Lauren began to recognize a consistent thread: a deep interest in animals, especially birds and reptiles. As she put it, “I realized that, despite a series of unsatisfying jobs, my true interest lay in studying animals, particularly birds and reptiles.” That realization led her to pursue a degree in Animal Health & Behavior, which felt like the right way to align her career with what had always drawn her in.

Choosing the right program mattered just as much. “In my area, there were limited options for schools offering the specific degree I wanted,” she explained. With a full-time work schedule, flexibility was essential, and Unity’s online format became the solution that made it all possible.

Through that experience, something shifted. Lauren now has a clear sense of direction and commitment to her goals. “What makes my experience at Unity special is that I now have a clear sense of purpose and certainty about my career path,” she said, reflecting a renewed focus on making the most of her education.

Are you ready to discover what YOU can do? Explore the opportunities at Unity Distance Education and take the first step toward achieving your dreams.

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What you’ll learn

Lead With Science. Elevate Equine Care.

Equine anatomy, physiology, genetics, and nutrition for evidence-based horse care and management
Horse behavior, learning theory, and training methods grounded in animal welfare science
Equine health, reproduction, and veterinary support practices across competitive and recreational settings
Sustainable facility operations, stable management, and equine industry policy and advocacy
Applied research methods for real-world equine problem-solving and evidence-based decision-making

Awards and recognition

Proudly Recognized for Excellence

Tuition Rates

We believe a college education should help launch you into a promising future, not weigh you down with debt. Unity’s online bachelor’s programs are $470 per credit, with no term-based fees and free text resources in most courses.

Tuition Locked Through 2030!

While many U.S. colleges raise tuition by 2–4% each year, your tuition rate at Unity stays the same, giving you cost certainty from your first term through graduation.

Military Friendly

Active-duty service members, veterans, and their families receive a reduced tuition rate of $423 per credit. VA education benefits (including the GI Bill®, Chapter 31, Chapter 35, and Active Duty Tuition Assistance) may be applied toward the cost of your degree.

NO SURPRISES. NO UNNECESSARY FEES.

Transparent, Predictable Pricing

See why 98% of Unity students don’t need private loans.

Affordable, Transparent Tuition

With no hidden fees!

Flexible Payment Options

Plans that fit your budget.

Locked-In Tuition

7 years with no tuition increase.

Earn While You Learn

Work full-time while studying.

Personalized Financial Plan

Know your cost before you start.

Low Textbook Costs

Free materials in most courses.

how much you can save?

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Out-of-Pocket Costs

Our Net Price Calculator shows your personalized cost of attendance, including how Pell Grant eligibility and other financial aid can make your degree more affordable.

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Learn from Leaders

Learn from Leaders

MS and BS in Animal Sciences

Elizabeth Share
Global Expert in Equine Care and Management

Read More About Professor Share

Elizabeth Share
Global Expert in Equine Care and Management

Elizabeth “Lizz” Share is an Adjunct Faculty member at Unity Environmental University. She received a M.S. and BS in Animal Sciences from the Ohio State University. Lizz has been involved in horse care and management for over 15 years. Besides working in academia, she has worked for Extension using her expertise to help horse owners across the nation. She is primarily an equine nutritionist but works extensively with welfare and behavior as well as the practical management of horses. She is passionate about student-focused learning and the practical application of knowledge to real-world situations. In her spare time, she enjoys competitively sorting cattle with her Quarter Horses.

Learn from Leaders

Ph.D. in Animal Science with a specialty in Equine Nutrition

Dr. Toree Williams
Global Expert in Equine Digestive Health, Reproduction, and Exercise Physiology

Learn More About Dr. Williams

Dr. Toree Williams
Global Expert in Equine Digestive Health, Reproduction, and Exercise Physiology

Dr. Williams has an Ph.D. in Animal Science with a specialty in Equine Nutrition, a Masters in Natural and Applied Science, and a B.S. in Animal Science. In graduate school, Dr. Williams created the first and only band of dually cannulated ponies to examine nutritional and microbial aspects of the digestive tract. For her Masters, Dr. Williams developed an equine curriculum for high school and college level students across the state of Missouri. She has research in equine nutrition, reproduction, and exercise physiology.

Dr. Williams has worked in many equine industries, including reining, cutting, working cow horse, pleasure, hunters, polo, and even spent time on the grand prix jumping circuit. She has coached IHSA and Ranch horse teams at a collegiate level after riding with both programs during her time as an undergraduate.

Outside of horses, Dr. Williams has publications in caprine, bovine, poultry, veterinary, and even engineering journals. She loves teaching anything from biology to Agronomy to business. She loves Agriculture and spends time promoting it anyway she can.

Currently, Dr. Williams has taken a break from riding much, as she recently had two babies (2.5 and 1.5) and is soaking up every moment. She enjoys spending time hiking, camping, and traveling. She has been to 45 of the 50 states and hopes to have the others checked off the list.

Learn from Leaders

BS, MS

Holly Greene
Global Expert in Equine Research and Altitude Effects

Read More About Professor Greene

Holly Greene
Global Expert in Equine Research and Altitude Effects

Holly M. Greene has been working in higher education for over 3-decades. Her background includes 20 years as an equine research lab manager, technician for the university livestock veterinarian, and adjunct faculty supporting equine educational courses at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Holly received her M.S. degree from Cal Poly Pomona studying the effects of high altitude (3800 meters) on respiratory gases, pulmonary artery pressures and acid-base balance in horses. She was part of a team from Cal Poly Pomona that studied high altitude effects in burros and mules. Ms. Greene enjoys mentoring undergraduate students on equine research encompassing a whole animal physiology model approach.

Holly is very knowledgeable on USDA Animal Welfare regulations for cattle, goats, horses, sheep, and swine. Ensuring both animals and students are safe, and the welfare of the animals is paramount for any class or research activity.

Teaching philosophy: The role of a teacher in students’ lives is a significant one. If students are taught how to learn in a positive environment this will encourage future continuing education and knowledge. Teaching impacts the lives of so many and demands nothing less than best efforts. Student success is not just measured within the classroom and her teaching extends well beyond the confines of the classroom. For many students, there are powerful lessons learned with informal discussions. Sharing with peers and working on problems during (or outside) office hours is very beneficial. Helping students understand the invaluable ability to think critically is part of student success.

Have Questions About the Bachelor’s in Equine Animal Science?

Equine Animal Science is the study of horse biology, care, and management. It combines principles of animal science with specialized knowledge in equine anatomy, behavior, nutrition, reproduction, and health. This field prepares students for careers in horse training, farm and stable management, equine-assisted services, and veterinary support. It also emphasizes responsible breeding, sustainable facility operations, and the ethical treatment of horses across diverse equine industries, from recreation to therapy.

The BS in Equine Animal Science offers a specialized education focused on the unique needs and management of horses and other equines. This program applies principles of animal biology, chemistry, nutrition, and physiology to the study of their breeding and genetics, growth, behavior, and management within the diverse equine industry. Students will develop a strong understanding of equine-specific care, training, and management practices, preparing them for careers in stable management, equine health, and other equine-related professions, as well as for advanced studies in equine science or veterinary medicine.

Our comprehensive 120-credit program can be tailored to fit your schedule and goals! Completion time is flexible, determined by the number of credits you choose to take each term (8 terms/year) and less time with transfer credits. Without transfer credits, you can anticipate the following completion times:

48 credits/year: Fast-track your education in only 2.6 years
30 credits/year: Achieve your degree in 4 years
24 credits/year: Complete in just 5 years

General Education Core: 36 credits
Environmental Professional Core: 13 credits
Elective Courses: 32 credits
Program Core: 39 credits

ANIM 205: Animal Nutrition
ANIM 301: Animal Husbandry and Genetics
ANIM 302: Animal Comparative Anatomy
ANIM 304: Animal Comparative Physiology
ANIM 315: Equine Health, Nutrition, and Care
ANIM 415: Horse Facility Management
BIOL 301: Animal Behavior: The Evolution, Ecology, and Social Behavior of Animals
BIOL 310: Microbiology
BIOL 315: Cell Biology
CHEM 103: Chemistry II
CHEM 104: Chemistry II Laboratory
CHEM 201: Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 202: Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 301: Biochemistry
CHEM 302: Biochemistry Laboratory

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