Animal Husbandry - Equine, Sports and Business

Are you enterprising and do you have a passion for animals?

Dutch animal industry is dynamic and of a very high level. On an international scale, the Netherlands is a frontrunner in the field of breeding, nutrition and the wellbeing of animals. Will you contribute to further development in the industry? Will you support the people and businesses who are active in the horse industry? Or will you ensure that the Netherlands stays an important player in global livestock farming?

Developments proceed at a rapid pace. Production in livestock farms is increasing rapidly, and this development coincides with an increasingfocus on the health and well-being of animals. Will you take on the major challenges? The industry can certainly use well-trained specialists like yourself!

Study programme

The first year curriculum focuses on giving you the foundation knowledge of animal husbandary. You will learn about all aspects of the industry, from animal nutrition and breeading to marketing and land management. Theoretical training continues more in depth in the second and third years to prepare you for the graduation thesis. Although the course aims to cover a broad range of topics to ensure you have a breadth of experience, you can choose a specialisation in the final year. The two options currently available are Equine, Sports and Business and Applied Animal Sciences.

Horse business is big business

In Europe, millions of people are active in the equine sector. Think of breeding, sport, leisure or business activities at all different levels. The equine industry is rapidly expanding throughout the world, and therefore, continues to professionalise as a sector. Western European countries, like the Netherlands, Germany and the UK, have become key players in this international field. These countries are highly recognised worldwide for the breeding and trading of sport horses as well as for their high level of sport performance and equine knowledge.

The increasing number of international transactions – sport horses, equine products and horse knowledge – demand internationally oriented people, who can combine their interest in horses with sound business knowledge. The sector needs individuals with the ability to analyse business performance, spot market opportunities and come up with innovations. To be successful in this field, you have to be able to convert results from scientific research into practical situations. Solid knowledge about horses and a constant focus on finding new solutions is required for this. Equine Sports & Business (workfield of the Animal Husbandry BSc programme) strikes a balance between equine science and business knowledge.

During this program you deal with topics such as nutrition, breeding, exercise physiology, training, rider physiology and psychology plus welfare and behaviour. In addition, subjects such as finance, managerial economics, management, marketing and international trade are important elements of the programme. Besides knowledge you also learn important skills like networking, advising, planning and organising.

Practical experience is an essential part of education at Van Hall Larenstein. First year students have the opportunity to complete a project in the second semester, which enables them to develop the skills needed for two internships in the second and third years. Overall, you will spend 30% of your time working on practical assigments and in teams.

Entry requirements

You need to have three A Levels or a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma. Chemistry is highly recommended but not mandatory.

Meet Van Hall Larenstein

Coming to an Open Day is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Van Hall Larenstein and the "Animal Husbandry" programme.

Upcoming open days:

• 16th February 2019

Van Hall Larenstein also offers the "Animal Husbandry" webinar, which you can access via the university's website. The next one will take place on 6th March 2019 and you can sign up at www.vhluniversity.com.

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