Online Degrees

Carole A. Baker
Assistant Professor/Director Emeritus Equine Program

Contact info:

Phone: 203.596.4631
Email: cbaker@post.edu
Office: 212 MacDermid Hall, 2nd floor

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Biography

Professional Background:

In addition to running a successful boarding and lesson barn near London for 20 years, Ms. Baker trained many students to obtain good passes in the British Horse Society Instructor examinations and Pony Club Tests. She hosted two children's television programs broadcast nationally in the UK demonstrating correct riding and horse care. She also developed a series of classes in Horsemastership for London and Surrey County Councils in their Further Education programs.  These lectures were aimed at adults who wished to expand their knowledge in many areas of the equine industry.

Ms. Baker gained her British Horse Society Instructor Teacher and Stable Manager Certification and was appointed Chief Examiner for the British Horse Society, responsible for running the examination days, supervising all the examiners and submitting the final reports to the students and headquarters. In addition, she was an active member of the BHS Examinations Committee, which is responsible for designing and implementing these internationally-recognized instructor qualifications.

Since 1984, Ms. Baker has been associated with the Post University Equine Program, first as an instructor and now as Director of Equine Programs.  For many years, she has been involved in the development of the program which combines equine and business studies, and also offers specialty career courses involving either an Off-Campus certification or On-Campus concentrations in a variety of equine areas to better prepare students for a successful career.

She is also Chairman of the Equine Resources Committee, which organizes many equestrian activities throughout the year for students and local horse people; these events also raise money to fund scholarships for equine students. Based on her experience in the UK and by the belief that there is a need for these courses, Ms. Baker initiated the very popular Equine Husbandry Evening Courses. These courses are held throughout the year for horse owners who wish to gain further knowledge on equine-related topics – information that is hard to find elsewhere.  The course can be taken for CEU certification or for personal enrichment.

Both in the UK and the USA, Ms. Baker has written many articles, as well as a book on horse care.  She has lectured at several conferences, been quoted in many equestrian magazines and was invited to conduct a demonstration at the Equine Affaire in 2004 and 2007.  She recently attended the inaugural meeting of the National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics in Colorado, whose membership includes professors from equine programs throughout the world.

Teaching Philosophy:

Ms. Baker believes that successful Equine Business Management students are not so different from other successful students – they are responsible, caring and hard working, with good people skills, are willing to learn and expand their knowledge, and have excellent work ethic and time management skills.  Most students fully understand that many careers in the horse industry are more a ‘way of life’ than a corporate ladder, especially if working directly with horses.  However, some are not aware that there are many other jobs connected with horses that might also suit them - that still incorporate their love of horses, but would give them the chance to utilize their business or creative skills in a variety of ways. This is the main focus of the Equine Business Management program at Post University.

Ms. Baker says, “my aim is to widen students’ equestrian horizons, but always to put the welfare of the horse first - not only basic things such as clean fresh water and feeding a balanced diet three/four times a day, but developing good observation based on sound up-to-date knowledge (both academic and practical) to better understand how the horse functions mentally and physically, and to always treat them ethically and with respect. This is a vital part of my teaching philosophy.”

Another of her goals, through the revised Equine Business Management program, is to provide students with the basic tools they need for a successful career in some area of the horse industry or elsewhere. “I encourage them to ‘think outside the box’ and enhance their degree by taking as many business and other elective courses as they can – they will all be useful in the future.  I want them to gain the academic knowledge they cannot learn in the barn, and practical skills they cannot learn in the classroom!  It should be a combination of both, as well as a willingness to continue to learn throughout their lives. This is what leads to success in any career.”  

Personal Background:

Educated in England and very involved with professional qualification training - always interested in passing knowledge on to others with emphasis on accepting responsibility and acquiring knowledge on the best care of any animal, especially horses.  Her hobbies include traveling and learning about other cultures.