Train for a Career in the Equine Industry
This is a 900 hour course; to gain this qualification you must successfully complete:
- Four Core Units - see below
- Three Stream Units - see below
- Workplace Project (200 hours) - this can be satisfied a number of different ways including: undertaking approved work experience in the horse industry attending conferences or approved practical courses with another organisation, or undertaking research (eg. Research Project I and Research Project II)
Enrolment fee does not include exam fees. An exam fee is paid prior to sitting each exam (8 in total).
Modules
Note that each module in the Qualification - Advanced Certificate In Applied Management (Horses) is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.
Summary of the Main Modules
CORE UNITS
Office Practices
Develops basic office skills covering use of equipment,
communication systems (telephone, fax, etc) and office procedures such
as filing, security, workplace organisations, etc.
Business Operations
Develops knowledge of basic business operations and procedures (eg.
types of businesses, financial management, business analysis, staffing,
productivity, etc) and the skills to develop a 12 month business plan.
Management
Develops knowledge of management structures, terminology, supervision, recruitment and workplace health and safety.
Marketing Foundations.
Develops a broad understanding of marketing and specific skills
in writing advertisements, undertaking market research, developing an
appropriate marketing plan and selling.
STREAM UNITS
Horse Care 1
There are eight lessons as follows:
1. The Horse Industry; resources & its scope.
2. Horse Psychology & handling: types of horses, behaviour, psychology for handling
3. Buying a horse: temperament, size, age, aging, sex, experience, potential, breeds etc.
4. Conformation: skeleton, muscles, body proportions, head, neck, withers, hooves, etc.
5. The digestive system and principles of feeding & watering.
6. The grass kept horse and pasture management: pros & cons, fencing, paddock size, etc.
7. Grooming: tools, types & times of grooming, washing manes & tails, sheaths, shampooing etc
8. Industry Applications: dressage, event, racing, jumping, driving horse, transportation horse etc.
Horse Care 2
There are eight lessons as follows:
1. Facilities: fencing, gates, stables, etc.
2. Farm management
3. Feeds: Roughage, concentration, roots, green feeds & succulents, tempters and tonics, salts, etc
4. Stabling, Bedding & Mucking Out: Combined systems, stable routines, tacks and vices, bedding etc.
5. The Foot & Shoeing: Foot structure, trimming, farriers tools, how to shoe, shoe types, studs.
6. Exercise & Conditioning: Difference between exercise & conditioning, fittening schedules etc.
7. Tack & Tack Fitting: The mouth, types of bits, fitting the saddle, back care, saddle types, etc.
8. Facility design: farm layout, design of tracks, show areas, etc.
Horse Care 3 (Other options available instead of this module)
There are eight lessons as follows:
1. Blankets, Bandages & Boots: Types, fitting a rug, surcingles, rollers, bandaging rules, boot uses
2. Sick Nursing: Detecting poor health, sick nursing, first aid, isolation procedures, temperature etc.
3. Minor Ailments and Unsoundness: Parasites, colic, coughing, colds, wounds, skin ailments, eyes, etc.
4. Clipping, Trimming & Plaiting: Clippers, clip types, hogging, the mane, trimming, pulling, whiskers etc.
5. Travelling And Care At An Exhibition: Preparing for travel, loading, safety, care during travel, etc.
6. Organising A Show Or Event.
7. First-Aid For Riders And Spectators.
8. Financial Management In The Horse Industry.
INDUSTRY PROJECT
This is normally done after completing all of the other modules. It
is intended as a "learning experience" that brings a perspective and
element of reality to the Modules you have studied. The school is very
flexible in terms of how you achieve this requirement, and can negotiate
to approve virtually any situation which can be seen as "learning through involvement in real life situations that have a relevance to your studies"
How Big is the Equine Industry?
For the uninitiated, the equine industry may not appear to be all that significant, but in reality, this is a big industry in many countries. Horses may not be used for transport in the way they were in the 19th century; but they are still important for farm work in difficult terrain. Horses can go places that may be difficult for cars; and horses can do things that machines just can't do.
THE RACING INDUSTRY
Racing horses is a risky business. Many people own racing horses as much for the status and fun they get, as for the possibility of making money.
Racing horses need more attention than other horses, and this can be costly, with no guarantee of a return. A good racing horse though can be extremely profitable, generating money from winnings, and later in life from stud fees.
While cheaper horses are advertised through the media; race horses are not. If you are planning to by a race horse, it is wise to select a trainer first, and then buy your horse in collaboration with the trainer.
HORSE RIDING
Horse riding can be a viable additional venture alone; or may be a complementary service.
Horses used need to be properly trained. Clientele need to be assessed and matched with appropriate animals. A novice rider needs a quiet, well behaved horse; while an experienced rider may find such an animal boring. The conditions for using the horses need to be clearly indicated. The areas where clients can ride also need to be clearly indicated. A trail ride (on or off the farm property), may be guided by a member of staff.
Riding in open paddocks, which can be seen clearly, may not require such close supervision.
Farms might also offer hay rides, horse & cart rides, etc; perhaps as a means of touring the farm; or perhaps as an experience in its own right.
COMPETITION HORSES
Preparing and/or breeding competition horses is another sector of the industry that could provide an alternative to farmers. There are many different types of competitions, and different horses are bred and prepared in different ways for each type of competition. Some of the differences are shown below:
The Event Horse
- A schedule should be developed to prepare a horse for a program of events.
- Write down (eg. prepare a chart) the schedule.
- Adjust the schedule for the individual horses needs
- Include in the schedule: competition dates, diet, exercise, shoeing and medical treatments (e.g. veterinary inspection, worming, etc).
- Generally allow around 3 months for preparation prior to an events program.
- Extra fattening is required for longer events (eg. 2-3 days)
- Fattening must pay adequate attention to endurance as well as muscle fitness
Dressage Horse
- Dressage is very demanding upon a horse.
- The horse must maintain a high level of fitness at all times.
- The dressage horse is not normally rested for prolonged periods.
- The horses mental attitude is critical and it must always be treated as an individual
- Muscle fitness is usually more critical than endurance.
- Daily grooming is necessary
Show Jumper
- Though show jumping is an all year sport, horses do not compete continuously.
- Horses are usually rested for 2-3 months then go through a 2 month fattening program before competing.
- After a major event the horse is usually rested at least a few days.
- Feeding is designed to maximize energy but minimize weight during competition
- In dry weather the ground can be hard and cause shock to the jumpers legs. This must be taken into consideration
Driving Horse
- Though driving can occur all year round, the competition season is often limited.
- The way a horse is prepared depends on the type of driving.
Long Distance Horse
- Horses are prepared by a few weeks of long walks followed by slow trots building to
- Faster trots to develop muscular and cardio respiratory fitness.
- Fattening for endurance is important.
