Kentucky Equine Management Internship

The Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI) program is a 22-24 week internship that was established to improve the opportunities for college students wishing to pursue a career in the field of equine management and to improve the educational opportunities for personnel involved in the care and management, ownership and support structure of the equine industry. Aside from farm commitments, students are introduced into a network of equine professionals representing multifaceted careers in the equine profession.

Applications for the Fall 2021 session open February 1 and close April 30.

The fall session of KEMI focuses on yearling sales preparation and sales. Interns are placed on Thoroughbred farm in Lexington, Kentucky and work approximately 48 hours/week and are paid $10/hr, minimum. There are major Thoroughbred sales almost monthly beginning in July. Students gain experience in the techniques for preparing yearlings, weanlings and broodmares for sale and have the opportunity to learn about the factors that affect the value of an individual horse including pedigree, conformation and soundness. Students work hands on with thoroughbred horses in their daily care, grooming, stall cleaning, turning out, veterinary care, etc... A few host sites offer opportunities to work with horses under saddle; however, these opportunities are limited and students must meet strict criteria for riding ability and height/weight restrictions. To gain the most experience from the internship, students are encouraged to spend additional hours shadowing a professional in their field of interest (veterinarian, accountant, farrier, bloodstock agent).

We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that coordinates internships for students from around the world and the vast horse breeding industry in central Kentucky. All tuition goes directly into the program. The total cost of $2500 is broken down below:

$35 application fee

$465 deposit

$2000 upon arrival to Kentucky