Certificate of Horse Care (Introductory Program)

Unit 1 – Horse psychology and handling

• The early horse
• Survival mechanisms of the early horse
• The modern horse – behaviour and memory
• Using psychology to handle horses
• Catching and leading horses
• Fitting the bridle and saddle
• Tying up a horse
• Safety rules

Unit 2 – Buying a horse

• Temperament
• Size
• Weight carrying ability
• Age
• Equine dentition and ageing
• Glossary of terms
• Dentition diagrams and detailed explanation
• Colour and markings
• Breeds

Unit 3 – Conformation

• The shape of the skeleton
• Body proportions and parts
• Conformation problems
• How to describe confirmation

Unit 4 – The digestive system and principles of feeding and watering

• The digestive System
• The alimentary canal
• The Stomach
• The small intestine
• The large intestine
• Absorption of food
• Groups of food nutrients
• The composition of some common horse feeds
• The principles of watering
• The principles of feeding
• Feeding concentrates and roughages
• Feeding groups of horses at one time

Unit 5 – The grass kept horse and pasture management

• Advantages and disadvantages of working off grass
• Paddock size and minimum area needed
• Types of fencing
• The water supply
• Shelter
• Fodder trees
• General management of the grass-kept horse
• Management in summer
• Management in winter
• Exercise
• Grooming the grass-kept horse
• Conservation of the land
• Keeping horses at grass on small areas
• Roughing off and turning a horse out

Unit 6 – Grooming

• The skin – epidermis, dermis, the coat
• How the skin regulates body temperature
• Reasons for grooming
• Grooming tools
• Grooming techniques – strapping, sponging, brushing
• Using a stable rubber, dealing with stable stains on grey coats
• Oiling the feet
• Quartering
• Setting Fair/Brushing off
• Washing the mane and tail
• Washing the sheath
• Shampooing the horse

Unit 7 – Industry Applications

• Resources
• Writing resumes – employment readiness
• Competition horses (overview) – event horse, dressage horse, show jumper, endurance
• Educating Horses
• Breeding
• Farm planning
• Short term operations
• Farm business structures
• Quality management systems
• Whole farm planning
• Preparing a farm business
• Managing risk
• Sensitivity analysis
• Financial management
• Record keeping
• Finance sources
• Setting up a small business

• Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
• Improve your employment opportunities;
• Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
• High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
• No entry requirements;
• All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
• Unlimited tutor support;
• Easy to understand course content;
• We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
• Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
• Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.

The approximate study hours for this course is 100 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).

While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.

You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!

Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.

BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.

Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.

Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.

Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.

No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.

Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.

Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.