Equine Performance Science
Discover effective skills and strategies for managing the human-horse relationship.
UK students have the option to study this course over one year to achieve a CertHE. You’ll study the same modules as students on Year 1 of the BSc.
Contact us to discuss what you can do, or choose your preferred option when you apply.in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.
Source: GOS 2025
You'll gain a thorough grounding in the scientific principles underpinning horse health and management. We’ll also explore elements such as coaching the rider, saddle fit, behaviour, farriery, and managing gait abnormalities.
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.
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Find out more about studying Equine Performance Science at ARU in this short video.
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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
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Case study examples are embedded into the delivery in as many scenarios as possible as they are key to giving 'real life' experiences
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Learn on our Equine Training and Development Centre, which offers extensive facilities including a working stable yard, riding arenas and an equine therapy barn
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Gain a thorough grounding in the scientific principles enhancing horse health and performance
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Join our Equine Academy, which supports talented competition riders and provides coaching from UKCC-qualified coaches
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Choose one of our DIY livery packages and bring your horse to university while you study
Careers
As a graduate you'll have strong practical and commercial insight, and be ready to contribute positively to equine performance.
Some of the job roles you may consider in the equine industry 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. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Teaching and modules
You’ll explore both theoretical and practical skills relevant to working with horses.
You'll study horses' anatomy and physiology, health, nutrition, exercise, breeding and foaling, and how they respond to external factors such as riders, tack, and saddles.
You'll learn to apply coaching theory in a practical situation, how to train young horses, the physiological parameters that increase the success of equestrian athletes, and about sports medicine for animals.
You’ll also cover issues in the equine industry, how to research, and more general business skills.
You’ll graduate being able to evidence 'first day competence' when applying for employment in the equine industry.
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 *.
- Equine Anatomy and Physiology (15 credits)
- Equine Practical Skills (15 credits)
- Equine Health Management (15 credits)
- Equine Nutrition (15 credits)
- Breeding and Foaling (15 credits)
- Saddle Fit and Farriery (15 credits)
- Functional Anatomy (15 credits)
- Assessment for Performance and Health (15 credits) *
- Ethics of Animal Use (15 credits) *
- Research Methods (15 credits)
- Business Skills (15 credits)
- Equitation and Coaching (15 credits)
- Exercise Physiology (15 credits)
- Equine Health and Disease (15 credits)
- Young Horse Production (15 credits)
- Introduction to Animal Biomechanics (15 credits) *
- Extrinsic Factors Affecting Equine Performance (15 credits) *
- Equine Behaviour Science (15 credits) *
- Equine Research Technology (15 credits) *
- Business Innovation (15 credits) *
- Developing Professional Practice and Using Information in HR (15 credits) *
- Major Project (30 credits)
- Applied and Clinical Equine Nutrition (15 credits)
- Behavioural Wellbeing (15 credits)
- Equine Biotechnology (15 credits)
- Equitation Science (15 credits)
- Influencing Equine Performance (15 credits) *
- Biomechanics (15 credits) *
- Equine Growth and Development (15 credits) *
- Sports Medicine (15 credits) *
- International Intercultural Management (30 credits) *
- The Reflective and Empathetic Entrepreneur (30 credits) *
- Employment Law and Relations (30 credits) *
If you study the Cert HE, you'll complete core modules from Year 1 of the BSc (Hons) course. Contact us to discuss what you can do, or choose your preferred option when you apply.
Our course team includes industry-experienced staff and practitioners in equine rehabilitation, behaviour, nutrition and breeding, as well as competition riders and UKCC coaches.
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Jane HartLecturer in Equine Performance
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Rosemary LawrenceLecturer in Equine
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Susan MooneySenior Lecturer
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Professor Roberta BlakeProfessor
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Charlotte Coleman-FryLecturer in Equine and Veterinary Physiotherapy
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Chloe MabbuttLecturer in Equine
Facilities
Study equine courses with ARU in Writtle and benefit from our Equine Training and Development Centre.
On our 150-hectare campus, we have around 70 horses, a working stable yard, indoor and outdoor riding arenas, an oval horse walker, and a therapy barn. We also have a DIY Livery Yard for your horse.
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.
Take a guided tour and meet our students.
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 Equine Academy eligibility and how to apply.
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Academy barn - Writtle students are able to bring their own horses to university with them on DIY livery.
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Central track and turnout which leads to our Equine Training and Development Centre
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Our Equine Training and Development Centre, home to all things equine and approximately 70 horses.
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Horse water treadmill
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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.
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Our outdoor arena is 20m x 60m in size and located next to the horse walker.
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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.
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The Therapy Barn is a large teaching space that allows presentations to be shared with students while simultaneously apply their learnt techniques.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Apply for Equine Performance Science
Clearing places available
UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start