Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Horseback Discovery?
Spring semester. We meet at various times on campus throughout the week for Religion and Biology classes.

2. What is the Cost?
The cost is $500. This includes the travel/lab. fees, but not the University tuition. These fees also include use of the horse, saddle, bridle, halter etc. and transportation of student and horse. The fee does not include housing or food.

3. Do I need to be an Experienced Rider?
No, part of the curriculum is AS 145 Trail Riding. This class provides a good solid foundation for you to be a successful horseperson. We do not discourage experienced riders by any means, but it is not required.

4. How do I Sign up?
This program requires internal registration, therefore you need to see Tate Carter or the Biology Department Office Manager, Lark Hillier to pickup a registeration form. The classes in this program cannot be registered using the web. All students must have an ecclesiastical endorsement from their bishop, academic clearance from their advisor and all fines and bills must be paid prior to registration.

5. Is the program really only Once per week?
Yes, the riding portion is only once per week, but these will be long days, 8-14 hours, depending on travel distances, in addition to the riding day are the various meeting times for the other classes.

6. What Apparel is required?
There are no requirements on apparel other than the University Dress Code. However, students should come prepared to be in adverse weather conditions, coats, hats, gloves, etc. Boots are not required, but a sturdy shoe is suggested (example - Hikers). No open toe shoes. Raincoats are provided.

7. Where will we be Going?
We try to introduce students into a variety of Habitats. These may include Teton National Park, the Island Park Area, Sanddunes, Cold Desert, and Big Hole Mountains just to name a few. Most of these areas will have some breath-taking vistas. You should bring a camera everyday.

8. Is there a Textbook required?
No, the author of the text we use is our Heavenly Father. We will try to teach you to read the Creator's Handbook - Nature. You will be introduced to Biological and Ecological Principles and Theories as the flora and fauna of these beautiful places are explained to you. There is a field guide published by the National Audobon Society that is suggested, it is titled Field Guide to the Rocky Mountain States.

9. What is the Homework load like?
Each course has varying amounts of work required outside of class. The Religion course requires quizzes and writing assignments. The Biology course requires note taking and testing. In addition to these each student is required to make a journal/scrapbook. We have found this is one of the most useful requirements because it requires that students take field notes, edit and transcribe them into their journal/scrapbook, which will be turned in and graded at the end of the semester. Obviously pictures are of key importance in this scrapbook. Students are strongly suggested to include a minimum of 5 photos, 5 collected plant specimens (where possible) and 5 fauna entries pertinent to the trip. Creating a personal book like this requires that students stay current in their notes which helps them learn the material.

10. What are the Tests like?
We give a variety of tests, from tests that require diagramming and labeling, to short answer, essay, identification and some old-fashioned memorization. The tests are certainly challenging, but are also a key part of any University class. Don't let this part of the program scare you out of having the experience of a lifetime.


Information provided by:
http://www.byui.edu/TravelPrograms/Horseback/default.htm