Online schooling/courses?

I recently was almost offered a job. It was, no joke, my dream job. A massive stable an hour away, three barns full of jumpers and dressage and lesson horses, two indoor arenas, two out door arenas, a round pen, tons of pasture space. It would have been a live-in job as a Barn Manager Apprentice.

But after touring and making a business proposal as asked, I was told I did not have enough experience because I have only owned one horse (even though it's been seven years), have limited riding experience, never had lessons, and have no formal equine education. None of this I've ever had a chance to gain formally, but I've studied my butt off on my own and have notebooks full of notes and shelves full of informational books about horses.

Anyways. I obviously need experience. I think I've found a place to work in exchange for once a week dressage lessons, so there's the practical, hands on experience.

And for more formal schooling, I was hoping for a place where I can take classes. Online. For not too expensive. It doesn't have to be an official degree, necessarily, but still something that people can look at my educational experience and go "This girl knows stuff."

I had thought about a barn management course here: Horse school, college horse courses, online horse courses ...convenient and affordable equestrian education leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Equine Studies, Professional Riding Instructor or Horse Trainer Certification.
But it's from Breyer State and I've heard some not-so-great things about them. Obviously a 'certification' there isn't a degree, but do you guys think it would be enough for a stable owner to look at and think that yes, I know stuff, that yes, I've studied (officially) nutrition and saddle fit and management and horse health, etc?

If this place won't work, anyone know of a place that would? Just forewarning, I do not really fancy moving away for college, because I don't have a way to transport my horse and I refuse to leave him and I definitely refuse to sell him.

Since I'm in Ohio, I have, however, considered attempting to go to Findlay.

Go with a well known, preferably internationally recognised institution, that are affiliated with your national horse/equestrian association.

The problem is that pretty much anyone can design and sell on online course so unless they are a real qualification or at least very well affiliated, then to most people they won't carry much weight at all. The actual qualifications are usually offered as a mixed mode course - you will have your theoretical modules and your practical modules. If you have an online course it's all theoretical, it may be okay for the business side of barn management but not so much the practical.

As horse riders we know that there are things you can't learn from a book. I've had horse crazy friends who've read everything about horses, and have read all the theory of how to do a rising trot or something simple, but when they get on the horse they're not going to be able to do it even though they "know" how. Because its one of those things you just have to learn by doing, many horse things are like that. Which, for me, is the biggest argument against fully online courses.

If I were to see a course that isn't affiliated with anyone, well I wouldn't think that "this girl knows something", I'd think this girl bought herself a certificate.

I looked at your link and although they say "certified" a lot they don't seem to have any reference to regulation bodies. Also...pretty bad website which puts me off, it means they don't have the money or inclination to get a good one done, which all online businesses should have.

They say that it is widely recognised, but it seems like they are just saying that. Even under the academic credentials link there is absolutely nothing to verify their qualification is worth anything.

I wouldn't go with these guys at all. Just my opinion.

Education is always a good investment though. Good luck!

Accreditation. Without it, a degree or certificate means nothing.

"Breyer State is not accredited by any accreditation institution recognized by the United States Department of Education, nor is it a state institution. It is on the list of "Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas". It is also on the lists of unaccredited institutions maintained by Oregon, Maine, and Michigan."

Breyer State University - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Accreditation is a voluntary process, and in fact, the U.S. Department of Education states that accreditation itself is a voluntary process. There is no mandate by federal law for a School, College or University to be accredited. Many good schools are not accredited. Also, each accreditor has their own unique standards and, thus, there is no national consistency in institutional accreditation. Accreditation in the United States is awarded by non-US governmental agencies. Again, accreditation is strictly a voluntary option in the United States and many high-quality, legitimate and legal Colleges and Universities and other institutions of higher education operate today without accreditation."

Accreditation | Breyer State University

Breyer State can claim that "many high-quality, legitimate and legal Colleges and Universities and other institutions of higher education operate today without accreditation", but I don't know any employer who will agree.

There are people who would hire someone with a demonstrated knowledge of horses without any certificates, but I can't imagine ANYONE would care about an online certificate from an unaccredited school. If I was hiring, I'd give more weight to someone saying "I've posted 3,000 replies on horseforum.com" that I would to someone with an online degree in equine studies.

There are tons of folks who want to work full time with horses. You'll need experience with LOTS of horses, and lots of it. You cannot do it online.

Let me put it this way. Would you hire a farrier who had studied online to learn his trade?

You should. I go to Findlay, I am majoring in Western Riding and Equine Business Management. I have a journal on here where I blog about my daily adventures at the university. Check it out, the link is in my signature. Its an amazing school.