Qualification - ASSOCIATE DIPLOMA EQUINE STUDIES VAG009

Designed as a starting point for a professional career in the equine industry

Graduates may find employment opportunities in any horse industry establishment including stables, stud farms, riding schools, veterinary practices, equine supply and service organisations/companies, event management or race courses.

Accredited by International Accreditation and Recognition Council (IARC)

Provides advanced standing (credits) in higher qualifications (including Advanced Diplomas and Degrees) with Warnborough College (UK & Ireland) and Australian Correspondence Schools (ACS)

Study Equine Management and Farming Practices for a Career in the Horse Industry


COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENTS

This course is made up of the following 15 modules, totaling around 1,500 hours of study.

Horse Care I

Learn to manage the daily requirements of a horse at grass.

The course aims to develop:

  • The ability to handle horses using a range of different procedures
  • Skills to evaluate a horses conformation
  • An understanding of diet
  • Knowledge of grooming procedures
  • An ability to develop appropriate management procedures for a specifc situation.
  • Knowledge of commercial opportunities in the horse industry, including how to buy and sell horses.

The course includes most of the subject material in the course "Keeping a Horse"plus more. It covers

  • Terminology; Horse Psychology; Using tack; Parts of the body;
  • The digestive system; Evaluating the value of a paddock;
  • Grooming for different purposes (eg. dressage, shows, stock work);
  • Business applications (eg. racing, riding schools, breeding, stock agent, etc).
  • Students need to provide proof that they have ridden and handled a horse prior to completing this course.

 

Horse Care II

Learn about feeds, stabling, foot care, bedding, tack, conditioning, and other areas relevant to caring for horses in a stable.

There are seven lessons:

  • Feeds - Roughage, Concentrates, Green feed, etc
  • Stabling - Stalls, Stables, Barns, etc
  • Bedding and Mucking Out
  • The Foot and Shoeing
  • Exercise and Conditioning
  • Tack and Tack Fitting
  • Horse Facility Design

 

Horse Care III

All about managing health and condition of horses in different situations. Learn to identify signs of poor condition, and address those problems appropriately.

There are six lessons:

  • Blankets, Bandages and Boots
  • Maintaining the Health of Horses
  • Clipping, Trimming & Plaiting
  • Travelling & Horse Care Away from Home
  • Organising & Managing a Horse Event
  • Managing a Horse Enterprise

Equine Behaviour

Develop your understanding of equine behaviour, and your ability to apply that to the welfare and training of the horse.

This course is comprised of seven lessons:

  • Introduction: Influences and motivation
  • Genetics and Behaviour
  • Equine Perception and Behaviour
  • Communication and Social Behaviour
  • Sexual and Reproductive Behaviour
  • Learning and Training
  • Behavioural Problems

Animal Breeding

Learn to plan implementation of an animal breeding program using genetic theory, practical applications to daily husbandry practice, and management of animal breeding programs.

There are 7 lessons:

  • Introduction To Genetics
  • Genetics
  • Selection
  • Pure Breeding
  • Introduction To Cross Breeding
  • Cross Breeding
  • Livestock Improvement

Pasture Management

Learn to evaluate, design and make decisions about the management of pasture for different purposes and animals, including horses.

There are 8 lessons as follows:

  • Introduction to Pastures
  • The Grass Plant
  • Pasture Varieties
  • Site Considerations
  • Establishing New Pastures
  • Managing Existing Pastures
  • Managing Stock on Pasture
  • Pasture Management Work Tasks

 

Event Management

Learn to plan, create, manage, and evaluate a successful equine-related event in sport, recreation, tourism, agriculture, or other area.

There are 9 lessons as follows:

  • Scope and Nature of Event Management
  • Developing the Concept
  • Physical an Human Resources
  • Project Logistics
  • Marketing an Event
  • Financial Management
  • Risk Management
  • Staging the Event
  • After the Event

 

Animal Anatomy and Physiology I

Develop a sound foundation knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology.

There are 11 lessons as follows:

  • Introduction, Cells & Tissues
  • The Digestive System
  • The Circulatory System
  • The Urinary System
  • The Nervous System
  • Respiration
  • TheReproductive System
  • Muscles & Meat
  • The Skeleton
  • Animal Growth, Development & The Endocrine System
  • Comparing Different Animals

 

Animal Health

Learn to describe common diseases in animals, and to recognise and treat these diseases and wounds.

Course Structure:

  • Introduction to Animal Health
  • Signs & Symptoms of Diseases
  • Disease Classification
  • Causes and Diagnosis of Disease
  • Treatment of Disease
  • Inflammation
  • Fever and Immunity
  • Tissue Repair
  • Wounds
  • Cell changes -death, cancers etc.

 

Animal Feed and Nutrition

Learn about the composition of a range of feeds, including pasture, fodder crops, grasses, cereals, seed, and other edible plants. This course also explains the role of proteins, vitamins and minerals in animal diets.

Lessons include:

  • Introduction to Animal Foods
  • Food Components: Carbohydrates, Fats
  • Food Components: Proteins, Minerals and Trace Elements
  • Evaluating Foods & Digestibility
  • Classifying Foods Part A
  • Classifying Foods Part B
  • Classifying Foods Part C
  • Calculating Rations Part A
  • Calculating Rations Part B
  • Calculating Rations Part C

 

Farm Management

Improve your capacity to more effectively manage a farm or agricultural enterprise which services farms. There are 8 lessons as follows:

  • Strategic Planning
  • Business Plans
  • Business Assessment
  • Viability Analysis
  • Management Strategies
  • Human Resources
  • Physical Resources
  • Natural Resources

 

Sustainable Agriculture

This course presents many different techniques and general measures which may be adopted in part or full to move a farm toward greater sustainability.

 

Soil Management

Learn about soil properties and requirements in agriculture, and how to apply that knowledge at a management level in an equine business.

Research Project I

Learn to plan and conduct research into the current status of an aspect of the equine industry relating to their area of study, and to complete a descriptive report based on that research

Workshops I

Develop your capacity to identify, select and apply knowledge and skills to appropriate perform workplace tasks in the equine industry through a problem-based learning project.

Course Duration:  1,500 hours

 


CONNECT WITH A CAREERS ADVISOR
Let us tell you about this industry and help you
make the right decisions about moving forward.

or ENROL NOW at the top of this page