Author: Amy McAllister
Last saved by: Johnson, Jennifer G.
Company: Florida Department of Education

2024 – 2025

Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Equestrian Studies
Program Type:	Career Preparatory
Career Cluster:	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources 

Secondary – Career Preparatory
Program Number | 8004200
CIP Number | 0101030211
Grade Level | 9-12
Program Length | 5 credits
Teacher Certification | Refer to the Program Structure section.
CTSO | FFA
SOC Codes (all applicable) | 45-2093 -- Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
CTE Program Resources | http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml

Purpose 

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the agriculture mechanics industry within the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to providing technical skill proficiency and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher order reasoning and problem solving skills, work attitude, employability skills, technical skills, and knowledge of the equine industry.
This program offers a hands curriculum designed to further students’ knowledge of horses and their personal equitation and horsemanship skills.  The fundamental purpose is to develop, through a standardized progression of training methods, a horse and riders ability to perform at its maximum potential.  A skilled rider should use minimal aids to request a desired movement from the horse while remaining relaxed and creating the illusion of being effortless. 

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

To teach the course(s) listed below, instructors must hold at least one of the teacher certifications indicated for that course.
Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of five credits. Planned and Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) must be provided through one or more of the following:  (1) foundational career exploration, (2) directed laboratory experience, (3) project ownership/entrepreneurship, (4) cooperative education/internship, (5) School Based Enterprise, or (6) Service Learning.
The following table illustrates the secondary program structure:

Course Number | Course Title | Teacher Certification | Length | SOC Code | Level | Graduation Requirement
8106810 | Agriscience Foundations 1 | AGRICULTUR 1 @2 | 1 credit | | 3 | EQ
8004210 | Introduction to Equestrian Studies | | 1 credit | 45-2093 | 2 | CT
8004220 | Beginning Equestrian | | 1 credit | 45-2093 | 2 | CT
8004230 | Intermediate Equestrian | | 1 credit | 45-2093 | 2 | CT
8004240 | Advanced Equestrian | | 1 credit | 45-2093 | 2 | CT
(Graduation Requirement Codes: CT= Career & Technical Education, EQ= Equally Rigorous Science, EC= Economics, MA= Mathematics, 
PL= Personal Financial Literacy)

National Standards (NS): Council for Agricultural Education

Some or all of the courses in this program have been aligned with National Standards AFNR Standards from the Council for Agricultural Education.  If so, the standards have been identified and cross walked with the corresponding CTE standard and/or benchmark. National Standards can be found by accessing the following link: https://ffa.app.box.com/v/Library/folder/52815452676. 

Common Career Technical Core – Career Ready Practices

Career Ready Practices describe the career-ready skills that educators should seek to develop in their students. These practices are not exclusive to a Career Pathway, program of study, discipline or level of education. Career Ready Practices should be taught and reinforced in all career exploration and preparation programs with increasingly higher levels of complexity and expectation as a student advances through a program of study. 

1. Act as a responsible and contributing citizen and employee. 

2. Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. 

3. Attend to personal health and financial well-being. 

4. Communicate clearly, effectively and with reason. 

5. Consider the environmental, social and economic impacts of decisions. 

6. Demonstrate creativity and innovation. 

7. Employ valid and reliable research strategies. 

8. Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 

9. Model integrity, ethical leadership and effective management. 

10. Plan education and career path aligned to personal goals. 

11. Use technology to enhance productivity. 

12. Work productively in teams while using cultural/global competence. 

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

Agriscience Foundations 1 
01.0	Examine the history of AFNR production at the local, national, and global level. 
02.0	Employ scientific reasoning to make informed decisions in AFNR systems.
03.0	Apply scientific skills and principles in natural resources.
04.0	Apply scientific skills and principles in plant science.
05.0	Apply scientific skills and principles in animal science.
06.0	Apply scientific skills and principles in food science.
07.0	Apply scientific skills and principles in power, structure, and technical systems.
08.0	Explore AFNR professional development organizations.

Introduction to Equestrian Studies
09.0	Discuss the various types of behavior associated with horses and proper safety procedures.
10.0	Identify and apply proper safety rules and procedures.
11.0	Identify and apply grooming tools, grooming equipment and proper grooming techniques.
12.0	Identify and apply different types of equine tack and equipment.
13.0	Demonstrate the ability to properly mount and dismount a horse.
14.0	Identify and demonstrate the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the walk.
15.0	Identify and demonstrate the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the trot.
16.0	Examine the digestive system of the horse and examine nutritional need.

Beginning Equestrian
17.0	Demonstrate selected competencies in leadership through the FFA and agricultural industry organization, and develops plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience Program.
18.0	Apply proper safety procedures.
19.0	Identify and apply the organizational structure of the equestrian riding discipline.
20.0	Demonstrate the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the walk.
21.0	Demonstrate the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the trot.
22.0	Identify and demonstrate the ability to properly execute a transition.
23.0	Investigate the sport of equestrian riding and show an understanding of riding the horse forward with a correctly balanced seat.

Intermediate Equestrian
24.0	Discuss the organizational structure of the equestrian riding discipline.
25.0	Determine the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the walk.
26.0	Determine the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the trot.
27.0	Demonstrate the ability to properly execute a transition.
28.0	Explore the sport of equestrian riding and show an understanding of riding the horse forward with a correctly balanced seat.
29.0	Demonstrate proper preparation, grooming and exhibition of a horse.

Advanced Equestrian
30.0	Analyze the importance of safety procedures.
31.0	Apply the organizational structure of the equestrian riding discipline.
32.0	Exhibit the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the walk.
33.0	Exhibit the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the trot.
34.0	Exhibit the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the canter.
35.0	Exhibit the ability to properly execute a transition.
36.0	Show the ability of riding the horse forward with a correctly balanced seat.
37.0	Prepare, groom and exhibit a horse.

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title: 	Agriscience Foundations 1
Course Number: 	8106810 
Course Credit:	1

Course Description:

This course is designed to develop competencies in the areas of agricultural history and the global impact of agriculture; career opportunities; scientific and research concepts; biological and physical science principles; environmental principles; agriscience safety; principles of leadership; and agribusiness, employability, and human relations skills in agriscience.  Laboratory-based activities are an integral part of this course.  These include the safe use and application of appropriate technology, scientific testing and observation equipment.

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental quality, and safety procedures will be an integral part of this course. Students will interact with materials and primary sources of data or with secondary sources of data to observe and understand the natural world.  Students will develop an understanding of measurement error, and develop the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the data and resulting conclusions. Equipment and supplies will be provided to enhance these hands-on experiences for students.  A minimum of 20% of classroom time will be dedicated to laboratory experiences.

Agriscience Foundations 1 (8106810) is part of several programs across the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources career cluster.  To ensure consistency, the standards and benchmarks for this course (01.0 – 8.0) have been placed in a separate document.   To access this document, visit: https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/20706/urlt/Agsci-Fnds1-Core-2425.rtf 

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title: 	Introduction to Equestrian Studies
Course Number: 	8004210
Course Credit:	1

Course Description:

This course is designed to develop competencies in the areas of leadership, equine history and domestication, equine breeds and characteristics, anatomy, behavior, safety, grooming, handling and equitation skills with horses.

CTE Standards and Benchmarks
09.0	Discuss the various types of behavior associated with horses and proper safety procedures. The student will be able to:
09.01	Name and describe behavioral categories associated with horses.
09.02	Investigate the sense of vision, touch, smell and hearing of the horse.
09.03	Predict how natural behavior is used to train a horse.
10.0	Identify and apply proper safety rules and procedures. The student will be able to:
10.01	Demonstrate and apply proper safety rules when handling and haltering horses.
10.02	Identify proper safety rules for various situations.
10.03	Identify proper clothing that should be worn when working with horses.
11.0	Identify and apply grooming tools, grooming equipment and proper grooming techniques. The student will be able to:
11.01	Identify grooming tools and equipment.
11.02	Explain the use of grooming tools and equipment.
11.03	Demonstrate proper grooming techniques and procedures.
11.04	Understand the goals and purpose of grooming.
12.0	Identify and apply different types of equine tack and equipment. The student will be able to:
12.01	Identify common bridle parts and their purpose.
12.02	Identify common saddle parts and their purpose.
12.03	Identify common equine equipment.
12.04	Identify and demonstrate proper bridling procedures.
12.05	Identify and demonstrate proper saddling procedures.
12.06	Maintain equine tack and equipment.
13.0	Demonstrate the ability to properly mount and dismount a horse. The student will be able to:
13.01	Identify and apply the proper procedure for mounting a horse.
13.02	Identify and apply the proper procedure for dismounting a horse.
13.03	Identify and demonstrate adjusting stirrup length specific to rider.
13.04	Complete a tack check prior to mounting.
14.0	Identify and demonstrate the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the walk. The student will be able to:
14.01	Apply correct rider position and seat including alignment, posture and stability at all times.
14.02	Demonstrate correct rider form and position.
14.03	Demonstrate correct rider form and position to encourage forward movement.
14.04	Demonstrate an emergency stop.
14.05	Demonstrate proper maneuvering techniques and procedures; including reversing, backing, and turning.
15.0	Identify and demonstrate the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the trot. The student will be able to:
15.01	Apply correct rider position and seat including alignment, posture and stability at all times.
15.02	Demonstrate correct rider form and position to encourage forward movement.
15.03	Demonstrate an emergency stop.
15.04	Demonstrate proper maneuvering techniques and procedures; including reversing and turning.
15.05	Demonstrate the proper technique of sitting the trot.
15.06	Identify the actions of a posting trot.
16.0	Examine the digestive system of the horse and examine nutritional needs. The student will be able to:
16.01	Compare between simple stomach, ruminant and the cecum digestive systems.
16.02	Investigate the function of the small and large intestine and the roles these parts play in the digestive process.
16.03	Distinguish between the function of nutrients within the body.
16.04	Identify and explain common feed stuffs incorporated in equine diets.

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title: 	Beginning Equestrian 
Course Number: 	8004220
Course Credit:	1

Course Description:

This course is designed to develop competencies in the areas of leadership, equine safety procedures, the organizational structure of the equestrian riding discipline, and maintaining control of the horse at all times while mounted.
CTE Standards and Benchmarks
17.0	Demonstrate selected competencies in leadership through the FFA and agricultural industry organization, and develops plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience Program. The student will be able to:
17.01	Explore professional equine organizations.
17.02	Explore career opportunities in equine businesses through the FFA and Agricultural Education program.
17.03	Develop leadership and personal development skills through Career Development Event participation in the FFA.
18.0	Apply proper safety procedures. The student will be able to:
18.01	Demonstrate and apply proper safety rules and procedures when working with horses.
18.02	Wear proper clothing when working with horses.
19.0	Identify and apply the organizational structure of the equestrian riding discipline. The student will be able to:
19.01	Identify and describe the correct measurements within an equestrian riding arena.
19.02	Describe the proper letter placement around an equestrian riding arena.
19.03	Explain the organizational outline of test and patterns available in equestrian riding.
19.04	Illustrate the proper terminology that accompanies the equestrian riding discipline.
20.0	Demonstrate the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the walk. The student will be able to:
20.01	Apply correct rider position and seat including body alignment, posture and stability at all times while walking.
20.02	Identify and demonstrate the proper procedures for a free walk.
20.03	Maintain the desired gait.
21.0	Demonstrate the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the trot. The student will be able to:
21.01	Apply correct rider position and seat including body alignment, posture and stability at all times while trotting.
21.02	Demonstrate a posting trot.
21.03	Identify and demonstrate the ability to properly pick up the correct posting diagonal.
21.04	Demonstrate the gait of trotting with a clear rhythm.
22.0	Identify and demonstrate the ability to properly execute a transition. The student will be able to:
22.01	Properly demonstrate transitions (walk to halt, trot to halt, walk to trot, trot to walk).
22.02	Properly prepare and balance horse to execute a transition.
23.0	Investigate the sport of equestrian riding and show an understanding of riding the horse forward with a correctly balanced seat. The student will be able to:
23.01	Identify and demonstrate the ability to maneuver the horse on a straight line
23.02	Identify and demonstrate the ability to maneuver the horse correctly around the equestrian riding arena and through corners.
23.03	Identify and demonstrate the completion of a 20-meter circle.
23.04	Identify and demonstrate the ability to navigate the horse on a diagonal.
23.05	Demonstrate selected competencies in leadership through the FFA and agricultural industry organization, and develops plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience Program.

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title: 	Intermediate Equestrian 
Course Number: 	8004230
Course Credit:	1

Course Description:

To introduce the horse and rider team to the sport of equestrian riding and to show understanding of riding the horse forward with steady hands and a correctly positioned seat.  
CTE Standards and Benchmarks
24.0	Discuss the organizational structure of the equestrian riding discipline. The student will be able to:
24.01	Apply the correct measurements of the equestrian riding arena while maneuvering through an equestrian riding pattern.
24.02	Understand and apply the proper letter placement around an equestrian riding arena and properly navigate an equestrian riding pattern.
24.03	Understand the organizational outline of patterns and test available in equestrian riding.
24.04	Illustrate the proper terminology that accompanies the equestrian riding discipline.
25.0	Determine the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the walk. The student will be able to:
25.01	Demonstrate the correct procedures for a free walk.
25.02	Identify and demonstrate the horse’s proper equestrian riding head carriage while walking.
25.03	Maintain the desired gait while walking (Medium walk or free walk).
26.0	Determine the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the trot. The student will be able to:
26.01	Demonstrate a posting trot while maintaining the correct posting diagonal.
26.02	Demonstrate the gait of the trot with clear rhythm and balance.
26.03	Demonstrate the gait of the trot while maintaining the horse’s proper equestrian riding head carriage.
27.0	Demonstrate the ability to properly execute a transition. The student will be able to:
27.01	Properly exhibit transitions (walk to halt, walk to trot, trot to walk and trot to halt).
27.02	Properly prepare and balance a horse to execute a transition in the given time allotment.
28.0	Explore the sport of equestrian riding and show an understanding of riding the horse forward with a correctly balanced seat. The student will be able to:
28.01	Demonstrate the ability to maneuver the horse on a straight line, including the long-sides and center line of the equestrian riding arena.
28.02	Demonstrate the ability to maneuver the horse correctly around the equestrian riding arena including through corners, long-sides, center lines and circles.
28.03	Demonstrate the completion of a 20-meter circle in all areas of the arena.
28.04	Demonstrate the ability to navigate the horse on a diagonal at a trot, walk or free walk.
29.0	Demonstrate proper preparation, grooming and exhibition of a horse. The student will be able to:
29.01	Properly groom a horse to prepare for show
29.02	Properly braid a horse according to equestrian riding standards for show.
29.03	Exhibit and train a horse for show.

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title: 	Advanced Equestrian
Course Number: 	8004240
Course Credit:	1

Course Description:

To continue training in the sport of equestrian riding with particular attention to maintaining a steady tempo, elastic contact with the horse, proper geometry of figures and corners, and moving freely forward with a clear rhythm and direct contact with the bit. 
CTE Standards and Benchmarks
30.0	Analyze the importance of safety procedures. The student will be able to:
30.01	Apply proper safety rules and procedures when working with and around horses.
30.02	Describe the importance of wearing proper clothing when working with and around horses.
31.0	Apply the organizational structure of the equestrian riding discipline. The student will be able to:
31.01	Apply the correct measurements of the equestrian riding arena while maneuvering through an equestrian riding pattern.
31.02	Apply the proper letter placement around an equestrian riding arena and properly navigate an equestrian riding pattern.
31.03	Understand the organizational outline of patterns and test available in equestrian riding.
31.04	Illustrate the proper terminology that accompanies the equestrian riding discipline.
32.0	Exhibit the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the walk. The student will be able to:
32.01	Demonstrate and apply the correct procedures for a free walk including freedom to stretch neck forward and downward and proper ground cover.
32.02	Demonstrate the horse’s proper equestrian riding head carriage while walking.
33.0	Exhibit the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the trot. The student will be able to:
33.01	Exhibit correct rider position and seat including body alignment, posture and stability at all times while trotting.
33.02	Demonstrate the ability to execute the gait of an extended trot.
33.03	Demonstrate the ability to execute a 15-meter circle at a trot.
34.0	Exhibit the ability to maintain control of the horse while mounted at the canter. The student will be able to:
34.01	Apply correct rider position and seat including body alignment, posture and stability at all times while cantering.
34.02	Identify / demonstrate the ability to cue the horse for the correct canter lead.
34.03	Identify / demonstrate the ability to maneuver the horse on a straight line while cantering.
34.04	Identify / demonstrate the ability to maneuver the horse on a 20-meter circle while cantering.
34.05	Identify / demonstrate the ability to maneuver the horse through a corner in the equestrian riding arena.
35.0	Exhibit the ability to properly execute a transition. The student will be able to:
35.01	Demonstrate a straight, attentive immobile halt for a minimum of 3 seconds.
36.0	Show the ability of riding the horse forward with a correctly balanced seat. The student will be able to:
36.01	Demonstrate the ability to maneuver the horse on a straight line, including the long-sides and center line of the equestrian riding arena at the walk, trot and canter.
36.02	Demonstrate the ability to maneuver the horse correctly around the equestrian riding arena including through corners, long-sides, center lines and circles at the walk, trot and canter.
36.03	Demonstrate impulsion, the desire to encourage the horse to move forward with suppleness in the back and engagement of the hindquarters.
36.04	Demonstrate submission, cooperation and harmony with the horse, acceptance of the bit and ease of movements.
36.05	Demonstrate freedom and regularity of the desired gaits performed.
37.0	Prepare, groom and exhibit a horse. The student will be able to:
37.01	Train a horse for show or exhibition.
37.02	Describe and demonstrate methods of restraining, loading, handling and transporting horses.
37.03	Identify components of health certificates, and coggins test paperwork.

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Florida Standards for English Language Development (ELD)
English language learners communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting. ELD.K12.ELL.SI.1

English Language Development (ELD) Standards Special Notes:
Teachers are required to provide listening, speaking, reading and writing instruction that allows English language learners (ELL) to communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting.   For the given level of English language proficiency and with visual, graphic, or interactive support, students will interact with grade level words, expressions, sentences and discourse to process or produce language necessary for academic success. The ELD standard should specify a relevant content area concept or topic of study chosen by curriculum developers and teachers which maximizes an ELL’s need for communication and social skills. For additional information on the development and implementation of the ELD standards, please contact the Bureau of Student Achievement through Language Acquisition at sala@fldoe.org .

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

FFA is the co-curricular career and technical student organization(s) providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. 

Extended Student Supervision

Because of the production and marketing cycle of the agriculture industry, this program requires individual instruction and supervision of students for the entire period beyond the 180-day school year.

Cooperative Training – OJT

On-the-job training is appropriate but not required for this program. Whenever offered, the rules, guidelines, and requirements specified in the OJT framework apply. 

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities as identified on the secondary student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan or postsecondary student’s accommodations’ plan to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

In addition to accommodations, some secondary students with disabilities (students with an IEP served in Exceptional Student Education (ESE)) will need modifications to meet their needs. Modifications change the outcomes or what the student is expected to learn, e.g., modifying the curriculum of a secondary career and technical education course. Note: postsecondary curriculum and regulated secondary programs cannot be modified.

Some secondary students with disabilities (ESE) may need additional time (i.e., longer than the regular school year), to master the student performance standards associated with a regular course or a modified course.  If needed, a student may enroll in the same career and technical course more than once.  Documentation should be included in the IEP that clearly indicates that it is anticipated that the student may need an additional year to complete a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course.  The student should work on different competencies and new applications of competencies each year toward completion of the CTE course.  After achieving the competencies identified for the year, the student earns credit for the course.  It is important to ensure that credits earned by students are reported accurately.  The district’s information system must be designed to accept multiple credits for the same course number for eligible students with disabilities.