Application – Send Your Horse to College

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The University of Findlay Equestrian Studies program provides an opportunity for students and the public to bring their horses to college. Learn more about this opportunity and apply below.  

Students Can Bring Their Horse to College 

The University of Findlay Equestrian Studies program provides an opportunity for students to bring their horses to school and learn along with them.  If you are interested in bringing your horse with you to college, you must submit the following form: Bring Your Horse to College – English. 

All requirements listed below need to be attached through the above form for submission. 

Video Requirement: 

• If you wish to use your horse in the English Equestrian Program, it is necessary for our instructors to review a video of you on your horse. This is to ensure that you can progress with the rest of your class.  
• You need only submit one video of you riding the horse you wish to bring, as noted for your specific discipline. 
• Dressage: No more than five (5) minutes of walk, trot, canter in both directions, and any other movements that you can perform.  You may send a video of a dressage show test. 
• Hunter/Jumper and Eventing: Five (5) minutes total that includes 
• Flatwork: walk, trot, canter in each direction, and any other dressage movements that you are able to perform. 
• Jumping (if applicable): Provide footage of your current jumping skills and height ability (only include the height at which you are currently jumping in lessons and/or shows). 
• Please note that videos are not returnable and should be labeled with the student’s name, phone number, and email address. 
• Videos can be submitted via YouTube or DVD.  
• In addition to labeling your video with the above requirements, please also include your horse’s name. If you send via DVD, please make sure it is labeled “rider and horse approval”. If submitting a YouTube link, please note in the body of your email that the video is for “rider and horse approval.”   
• Upon reviewing the video, we will contact you as to the decision on your horse.  You will then be sent a packet with forms for you and your veterinarian to complete.  Please return the packet before your horse arrives. 

Boarding Information: 

• A student-owned horse used in the program – $19.00 per day. 
• Veterinary care and farrier services are not included in the boarding cost.  
• The student is responsible for the care of their horse, including stall cleaning and turnout. 
• These rates are subject to change at the beginning of each semester based on hay, grain, and sawdust market conditions.  

We pride ourselves on providing the finest feeds and bedding for your horse, which sometimes requires us to receive these commodities from outside our geographical area. You will be notified in July and at the beginning of December of any changes in the current board rates. 

Vaccination Requirements 

Prior to arrival, your horse must have all vaccinations completed. The required vaccinations include the following: 

• Flu Avert I.N.® Influenza – 10 to 30 days before arrival. 
• Rhinopneumonitis vaccine – 10 to 30 days before arrival.  
• Strangles – The initial strangles protocol calls for a series of two vaccinations given three weeks apart, with an annual booster thereafter. The most recent booster must have been given within one year prior to arrival. 
• Tetanus – within the year prior to arrival. 
• Deworming – 60 days prior to arrival (please deworm with Ivermectin). 
• Coggins – The original negative Coggins, dated within the last year, is required for our files. 

Horses will not be permitted on the property without documentation of required vaccinations and negative coggins. 
 

Other Required Information 

• A current original Coggins test within the last year. 
• A copy of the registration papers 
• A signed boarding contract (Boarding contract will be mailed with your acceptance letter). 
• Completed horse information form (horse information form will be mailed with your acceptance letter). 

Questions? Contact us at englishhorses@findlay.edu. 

The Public Can Send Their Horse to College 

At the University of Findlay, equestrian students also train horses for the public each year. The English program focuses on Show Jumping/Hunt Seat, Dressage, Eventing, and Colt Breaking. If you are interested in sending your horse to college, you must submit the following form: Send Your Horse to College – English. 

General Information:  

What breeds do you accept for the English program? 

We accept Breeds and Crossbreeds for English Riding. 

For example: 

• Thoroughbreds 

• Warmbloods 

• Sport Horses 

We do not accept gaited horses. If you have a special breed, contact us to see if that horse is acceptable. Horses must be at least 13 hands tall and old enough to be ridden. We do not break to lead yearlings or weanlings. 

FAQs 

When do you accept horses and how long do you keep them? 

Horses are accepted on a per-semester basis for either the fall or spring terms. Your horse will be assigned to a student as a project and the student is graded during the semester based on the progress the student and horse have made. For this reason, we ask that the horse stays for the entire semester. Your horse will be ridden 5 days a week. There will always be a faculty member present during class times. 

What is the cost of training/boarding? 

The boarding cost is $23.50 per day or $705.00 per month. Veterinarian and farrier expenses are additional. Multi-horse discounts are available! Owners pay for board only, which includes feed, hay, and bedding. You will be billed at the end of each month, with payment due within 30 days.  The board and veterinary balances must be paid in full up to and including the day of departure before the horse is allowed to leave the property at any time.    

What other documentation is required? 

The original report of your horse’s negative coggins, dated within the last year and a copy of the horse’s registration papers must be provided. If insured, the company’s name, phone number, and policy number must be provided. 
 

What kind of training will my horse receive?  

Our training philosophy is based on a quiet approach. The daily handling that each horse receives teaches them manners.  We expect them to stand quietly for grooming, clipping, saddling, mounting, and dismounting.  Throughout the training period, we emphasize correct body position, forward motion, and lightness, and make use of round pens, lunge lines, and other training aids. All horses receive excellent physical conditioning due to their daily training schedules. They also receive invaluable experience working around other horses in the arena in addition to specialized work with show ring situations. The specific goals for your horse training will be discussed and outlined for our program. 
 

May I visit while my horse is in training? 

You are encouraged to visit the University of Findlay while your horse is in training and you are welcome to come and observe our classes at any time. Your student trainer will work with you regarding times to visit and/or ride your horse. We do ask, however, that you let us know at least one week in advance if you are planning a visit so that the assigned student can be ready to assist you. It is very important that there is consistency in applying the techniques that have been used in working with your horse. 
 

Before bringing your horse to us, we ask that you provide very specific information as to what training you want for your horse while it is here. Students are required to contact you regularly about the progress they are making and/or any problems that arise. We want to be sure that every effort is being made to meet your training needs. 
 

Each semester ends with a final exam for the students in the form of a horse show that runs during the last week of riding classes. Many owners want to see how their horses perform in a show, prior to taking them home. 

What is the purpose of the program? 

It is our goal to take talented, dedicated young people (most of them with strong backgrounds in riding, showing, and horse care) and provide them with top quality, professional instruction at the best possible facility, so that they may gain the practical skills and academic knowledge that will enable them to be successful in the horse industry. 

It is also our purpose to establish a service for horse owners by applying professional knowledge to train and condition horses at rates that are affordable to the average horse-oriented family. 
 

Is specialized training available? 

Under the direct supervision of our professional riding instructors, our students progress horses through various phases of our English Programs (Dressage, Eventing, and Hunter Jumper). Our basic training program provides an ideal background for all horses, no matter what their intended use might be.  Your request, along with your horse’s attitude and athletic ability, would determine the area of concentration that we would pursue. If you have any special training problems with your horse, such as trailer loading, ring sour, etc., please let us know so that we may direct our energies to these specific areas. 

What kind of care will my horse receive? 

All horses are stabled in 12’x12’ box stalls, and the student is responsible for keeping the stall, water bucket and feed box clean on a regular basis. Students, in conjunction with barn management, are also responsible for making sure that the horse’s feet are trimmed and/or shod when necessary. Limited horse care including feeding, stall cleaning and turnout is available during official school breaks.  In addition to daily student handling, the horses are also under constant supervision of the riding staff and barn managers. The barn managers tour the barns at least twice daily to check on the health and general welfare of each horse. A staff veterinarian is also available, as needed, to handle routine veterinary care and any special problems that may arise. 

What kind of feeding program is maintained? 

All horses are given alfalfa-mixed hay and a specially formulated grain diet. This is the best possible ration available and will meet the horses’ energy and growth requirements. It is our policy that all horses be placed on this feeding program. The amount of feed given to the horses depends on their condition, how hard they are being worked, and it varies from horse to horse. Horses are given trace-mineralized salt and have fresh water at all times. Many horses lack muscle condition and have excess fat when they arrive. It should be understood that, when these horses are put into rigorous exercise programs, they will lose fat and appear leaner. This is a healthier condition for the horse, as it would be for any athlete. 

What are the facilities like? 

The 32-acre James L. Child Jr. Equestrian Complex is located three miles south of the main campus and houses the English equestrian program. The facilities feature 142 stalls, three indoor and three outdoor arenas, turn-out pens, vet office, and clinic. Inside the large arena and horse barn are wash stalls, a classroom, student lounge, and the barn manager’s office. 

What are the directions to the facility? 

The James L. Child Jr. Equestrian Complex is located just off US 68, south of Findlay, Ohio. If traveling on I-75, take Exit 156 (St. Rt. 15 and US 68).  Follow this road for approximately 2.5 miles.  Take the Kenton exit to the right. Turn left at the stop sign at the end of the exit. Proceed approximately 1.5 miles north on Main Street and turn right onto Olive Street. Drive 1 mile and turn right at the stop sign. Turn right at the next driveway. 

James L. Child Jr. Equestrian Complex 

 11178 Township Rd. 201 

 Findlay, OH  45840