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College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources

UConn's Department of Animal Science offers a self-improvement, non-credit, extracurricular horse-riding program entitled "Horse Practicum." The Practicum is open to all students enrolled at the University as well as faculty, staff and the community. Although priority for riding is given to Animal Science majors, all participants are welcome on a space available basis. Lessons are offered in Hunt Seat, Dressage, Trail, Drill, Polo* and Western at a variety of levels. The Riding teams are Equestrian, Dressage, Varsity Polo, and Western.

*Polo only open to UConn students, faculty and staff*

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* Riding Practicum is open to all riders 18 and over. Dates are subject to change based on University Guidelines. Space is limited and on a first come, first served basis. Lesson spaces are not guaranteed*

*Those interested in riding lessons and teams must attend the Mandatory Meeting.*

PLEASE READ All INFORMATION BELOW CAREFULLY OUR REGISTRATION PROCESS HAS CHANGED

1. Complete your lesson payment on Marketplace.

*Payment must be made first to reserve your lesson spot. If the lesson you are interested in is not visible in Marketplace, it is full. You can select another lesson or email horsepracticum@uconn.edu to join the waitlist for your lesson of choice.

2. Complete your digital Registration/Acknowledgement and Consent Form. *PLEASE COMPLETE ONE FORM PER SESSION PER RIDER (1&2)- You can select multiple lessons per session.*

*Complete after payment on Marketplace. Completion of the acknowledgement and consent form does not reserve your lesson spot. A rider's registration is complete only after payment and registration forms have been completed.*

*Community Riders please email a copy of your vaccination card along with your registration documents to: Alena Meacham horsepracticum@uconn.edu*

Dressage Team Tryouts: Friday, September 9th - For Prospective New Members Only

Equestrian Team Tryouts: Saturday, September 10th - For both Prospective and Current Members

Western Team Tryouts: Sunday, September 11th - For Prospective New Members Only

​​​​​1. Complete your tryout payment on Marketplace.

2. Complete your digital Registration/Acknowledgement and Consent Form.

3. Email the team coach for details related to tryouts

5. Riders who have been accepted by a team will receive an email from the team coach with a link to pay the team riding fee. Your registration form will automatically be updated to reflect your registration for the team lesson.

6. Riders who do not make the team can enroll in practicum lessons following the instructions above.

All students will be required to supply the following equipment: (1) a properly fitting ASTM/SEI approved riding helmet within 5 years of manufacturing date and (2) boots that have a heel with a rubber sole.

Height & Weight: Our goal is to ensure a safe ride for all of our riders and horses. Horses are limited in how much weight they may carry.  It is important to be as accurate as possible when submitting your height and weight so that an appropriate horse can be matched to each rider.

Weight Restrictions: Each horse is restricted in the amount of weight it may carry. The weight restriction is based on several factors, but the most important is rider’s weight. Too much weight can cause rub-sores from the saddle, strained muscles, and pinched nerves. Permanent damage such as a "sway back" or deteriorated muscle function can also occur over time.  It is important to be as accurate as possible when submitting your height and weight so that you can be matched with the appropriate horse. None of the horses currently available for horseback riding are capable of carrying a rider who weighs more than 225lbs. On any given day, it is possible that a horse will not be available for you to ride because of weight limitations (examples include: (1) the only horse capable of carrying a rider who weighs 200lbs is being monitored for injury and will not be available for riding for at least a week and (2) three riders, each weighing 185lbs, are scheduled for a riding program on the same day but only two horses are available to carry such weight.) In the event a horse is not available for you to ride on a particular day, we will try to provide you with advance notice and will provide a refund for each day a horse is unavailable for you to ride. For additional information regarding weight restrictions please contact: Alena Meacham Alena.Meacham@UConn.edu.

More Information on the Riding Teams