Whether you want to indulge a hobby or work with horses, there’s a lot to learn, which is where our NEW courses, the Certificate of Horse Care (Introductory), Certificate of Horse Care (Intermediate) and Certificate of Horse Care (Advanced) comes in. So, if you’re a horse enthusiast, saddle up, it’s time to ride in a professional direction. 

Horses are majestic, powerful animals that bring us fulfilment as pets, in equestrian and sporting pursuits, and careers. But they also have high care needs.

So, if you’re considering owning a horse, taking up an equestrian hobby or working with horses, this course is ideal for you. It’s also valuable professional development for people aspiring to start an equestrian business.

The Certificates of Horse Care will provide you with an understanding of equine husbandry and practical knowledge in the care of horses from beginner through to advanced care. 

On completion of these horse care courses, you will feel confident to care for horses and discover opportunities working in the equine industry. 

Certificate of Horse Care (Introductory) 

The Certificate of Horse Care (Introductory), teaches you about horse psychology, tips on purchasing a horse, and how to feed a grass kept horse, including pasture management. You’ll also discover bedding and mucking out procedures and how to maintain professional grooming of a horse. 

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the procedures for the buying and selling of horses
• Differentiate between the different procedures used for the handling of horses
• Develop a program for the evaluation of the conformation of horses on a property/facility
• Develop appropriate procedures to manage a horse at grass
• Explain the methods used to prepare horses for specific uses, including their grooming for different tasks
• Explain commercial opportunities available in the horse industry
• Learn about horse psychology and handling
• Understand the importance of dietary requirements to the horse
• Learn about the horse’s digestive system and the principles of feeding and watering your horse
• Explore opportunities for working with horses or learn more about caring for your own animals
• Learn to use correct grooming procedures, develop appropriate management procedures and broaden existing knowledge of commercial opportunities in the horse world. 
• Learn to manage horses kept on pasture and pasture management techniques 

 

Certificate of Horse Care (Intermediate)

The Certificate of Horse Care (Intermediate) focuses on caring for the stabled horse. You will learn about feed, stabling, bedding and mucking out, and foot care and shoeing. You will also discover how to exercise and condition a horse, about tack and fitting, and how to design a horse facility. 

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse the feeding requirements and techniques for horse husbandry
• Develop a stable management program for horses
• Explain the management procedures necessary to fulfil the bedding requirements of horses
• Explain the management and care of horses’ feet
• Implement management procedures for the conditioning of horses
• Describe the procedures used for managing the tack requirements of horses
• Explain the management, including design and applications, of facilities used in the horse industry

 

Certificate of Horse Care (Advanced)

The Certificate of Horse Care (Advanced) will extend your knowledge in all areas of horse care, including maintaining the health of horses, advanced grooming techniques, and the safe transportation of horses. You will also learn how to organise and manage an equine event and horse enterprise. 

Learning Outcomes  

• Analyse the feeding requirements and feeding techniques available for horse husbandry
• Develop a stable management program for horses
• Explain the management procedures necessary to fulfil the bedding requirements of horses
• Explain the management and care of a horse’s feet
• Implement management procedures for the conditioning of horses
• Describe the procedures used for managing the tack requirements of horses
• Explain the management, including design and applications, of facilities used in the horse industry

 

5 Types of Equestrian Disciplines 

If you’re considering equestrian as a hobby, there are many types of horse-riding styles to consider, from the art of dressage to the thrill of show jumping. 

1. Dressage 

The Olympic sport of dressage, derived from the French ‘training’, requires a horse to execute a sequence of specified movements in an arena in response to barely perceptible signals from its rider. The sport involves critiquing a horse’s pace and bearing in performing walks, trots, canters and specialised manoeuvres.

2. Eventing 

Eventing (also known as equestrian triathlon) is an equestrian event which combines dressage, cross-country and show jumping. Eventing requires a high degree of ability in all areas of equitation

3. Jumping

In jumping, horse and rider complete a course of 10 to 13 jumps. The competition aims to assess skill, accuracy and training by performing a clear round (no jumps down in the fastest time or gains the highest number of points (depending on the type of competition).

4. Vaulting

Vaulting is gymnastics on horseback, combining gymnastic agility and horsemanship. In competition, there are compulsory, and freestyle routines performed to music.

5. Endurance 

Endurance riding is an equestrian sport recognised by the FEI involving controlled long-distance races. Endurance rides vary in distance but are seldom over 160 km for a one-day competition. 

 

8 Jobs Working with Horses 

 

1. Riding Instructor

Riding instructors work with horses and their riders, designing exercises and teaching correct riding technique in a variety of disciplines. They also teach horsemanship skills such as grooming, saddling, and tack cleaning and maintenance. Knowledge in horse transport, applying first aid, matching horses to riders and managing horses in a business is also crucial. 

2. Farrier

A farrier works with horses and their owners to determine the best shoe for a horse’s level of activity and foot condition. Experience with horses is vital as is communication and business skills, as most farriers are self-employed. 

3. Jockey

Jockeys work in the competitive horseracing industry riding horses in competitive races, race trials and exercise. Jockeys need to be small in stature (5 foot) and require high physical fitness, sporting ability and commitment to the sport.

4. Groom

Horse grooms perform many duties in horse care, including mucking out, feeding and watering, grooming and washing, cleaning and maintaining tack, bandaging legs, tacking up and performing first aid. 

5. Exercise Rider

Exercise riders exercise racehorses to keep them fit and ready to perform at their peak. The job requires a sense of the horse’s running rate to meet a trainer’s expectations of speed and distance. 

6. Horse Trainer

A horse trainer (also horse breaker) prepares horses for riding, breeding, racing, work, showing or equestrian competitions.

7. Horse Breeder 

Horse breeders care for, mate, raise, market and manage valuable bloodstock for the racing and equestrian industry.

8. Riding Stable Owner

Riding stable owners manage the operations associated with horse care, feeding and stabling or agistment.

 

Ready to fulfil your equestrian dream or pursue a career working with horses? Study our Certificate of Horse Care online programs and get equine educated!