Ohio University Southern Campus
Ironton, Ohio
Ohio University Southern is a regional campus of Ohio University in Ironton, Ohio. The university offers its Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Equine Studies through the Southern Campus as an online degree, with coursework in riding instruction, equine-assisted activities and equine business. It is a training program for people who want to work with horses, including as therapeutic riding instructors, and does not offer riding or therapy sessions to clients.
- Online Associate of Applied Science in Equine Studies
- Equine Studies track: welfare, health and care, farm management, riding, riding instruction, equine-assisted activities
- Commercial Equine Business Management track
- Therapeutic riding instruction coursework with a mentored teaching practicum
- Students preparing for careers with horses
- Aspiring therapeutic riding instructors
- Students who have access to horses for hands-on work
More about this center
About the Degree
The AAS in Equine Studies requires at least 60 credit hours and is offered fully online. Students choose one of two tracks. The Commercial Equine Business Management track covers leadership, law, marketing, management, entrepreneurship and event management. The Equine Studies track lets students build coursework around welfare, health and care, farm management, riding, riding instruction, equine-assisted activities and business.
Hands-on work is part of the program. Ohio University says students must have access to horses as part of admission, and they film their practical activities or have a mentor sign off on them. Students studying therapeutic riding instruction complete a teaching practicum that includes 25 hours of teaching under a mentor.
Faculty and Affiliations
Kelly Hall directs the program from the Collins Center on the Southern Campus. Her faculty profile lists PATH Intl. master instructor and certification associate evaluator status and recognition as an equine specialist in mental health and learning. It also lists Certified Horsemanship Association master instructor status and a role as a CHA lead evaluator for riding certification and equine management.
The program is a member of PATH Intl. and the Certified Horsemanship Association. The university says its hands-on training aligns with PATH Intl. standards to help prepare graduates for certification; instructor certification itself is earned through PATH Intl.
History
Ohio University Southern began its equine program in 1999 and for many years ran the Ohio Horse Park in Franklin Furnace, where it offered internationally accredited therapeutic riding for children and teens with disabilities. In 2019 the campus moved the degree to an online format, and it ended operation of the horse park in 2020.
Location
Ohio University Southern is at 1804 Liberty Ave., Ironton, Ohio 45638. The equine studies degree is delivered online, so students complete hands-on work with horses they can access near home.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
Does Ohio University Southern offer therapeutic riding for clients?
No. It offers an online degree for people training to work with horses, including as riding instructors. Families looking for lessons can use how to choose a center to find a local program.
Do I need my own horse?
Students need access to horses as part of admission, since hands-on activities are filmed or signed off by a mentor.
Who do I contact about the program?
Program director Kelly Hall can be reached at hallk@ohio.edu. The Southern campus phone number is 740-533-4600.
Location
Ironton, Ohio 45638
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.