Equine Business Management

The equine industry is one of the most diverse and economically significant land-based sectors in the UK, encompassing thoroughbred racing, performance and competition horses, leisure riding, breeding, and equine health and rehabilitation. Managing a business within this sector requires a distinctive combination of practical horse knowledge and sound commercial understanding, because the horses themselves are both the product and the central management challenge, and decisions about their welfare, training, and deployment are inseparable from the business decisions that surround them.

At the University of the Highlands and Islands this degree in equine business management develops your understanding of both the equine world and the business principles that make equine enterprises viable. You will study equine science, including horse health, behaviour, nutrition, and the principles of training and management, alongside business management content covering strategy, finance, marketing, human resources, and the legal and regulatory environment in which equine businesses operate. The programme is offered part-time, making it accessible to students who may already be working in the sector and who want to develop their qualifications while continuing in practice.

The Highlands and Islands context provides exposure to a distinctive landscape of equine activity.

Graduates go on to careers in yard management, equestrian centre management, racing management, breeding operations, equine healthcare support, sales, marketing within the equine sector, and consultancy. Many graduates develop their own equine businesses or take on management roles in established operations. The combination of animal knowledge and business competence is what distinguishes effective equine managers in a sector where both are essential.