Why Choose a Specialty School?

A specialty school allows you to learn a certain technical skill or study with a specific person. Many specialty schools, such as farrier and equine massage schools, are designed to provide you with a skill that will enable you to find employment (or start your own business) immediately after graduation. Some of the schools offer apprenticeships or working-student arrangements that provide hands-on experience after graduation.

A specialty education can take less time to complete than a college or university degree. Specialty school programs can vary from a couple of months to just over a year. Upon completion you'll have a degree or certificate in your course of study.

Specialty schools represent more of the hands-on careers within the equine industry such as massage therapy, farrier/natural trimming, training, riding instructor, rider, etc. Having a certificate or being able to say you studied under a specific trainer can help further your career within those fields.

You may also decide to supplement a university education with a specialty school. Some specialty schools are linked with universities or community colleges, so be sure to ask them about the possibility of college credit and its transferability.

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Photo provided by Meredith Manor