DURATION
One year full time with the option of a second year.

INTRODUCTION

There is now a major need for trained personnel to work with horses. This is due partly to the dramatic increase in the riding and trekking centres that have been established with the aid of European funding for the agri-tourism business. The international success of Irish sports horses has also created a demand which has led to a major growth in the sport horse breeding industry. This equestrian studies course will provide students with an excellent training in stable management, handling and care of horses, horse riding together with internationally recognised qualifications.

MAIN AREAS OF STUDY

Year 1

• Stable Management
• Sports Horse Riding
• Feeding/Animal Nutrition
• Grooming, Clipping & Saddlery
• Horse Health
• Equine Anatomy and Physiology
• Grassland Management
• Shoeing, Lungeing
• Computers, Communications
• Occupational First Aid
• Business Management

Year 2

• Saddlery, Clothing, Travelling
• Lunging
• Stable Design
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Shoeing, The Foot
• Horse Movement, Horse Behaviour
• Horse Health, Fittening
• Grassland Management
• Horse Nutrition
• Communications
• Sport Horse Coaching Lesson planning
• Teaching Skills

SPECIAL FEATURES

The major portion of each week is spent in a top class riding establishment where practical skills and riding are taught by experienced tutors. Students will be taken on visits to Ireland’s top show jumping, racing stables and stud farms throughout the year.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Each student will gain valuable practical experience while working in different areas of the horse industry in their first year. Thus helping them to find their place in the industry, e.g. Showjumping, Racing, Eventing etc.

CAREER PROSPECTS

This course is designed to enable students to secure employment as livery assistant, assistant stable managers, grooms, riding instructors, or any position dealing with horse care.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent. Mature Students will be considered on an individual basis. All candidates will be interviewed and places awarded on suitability.

CERTIFICATION

• Occupational First Aid
• Riding Road Safety(B.H.S.)
• National Certificate - FETAC (NCVA Level 5) in Horsemanship (NCVA award code:CHMSX)
• British Horse Society Stages 1,2,3.
• BHS P.T.T.

COURSE DIRECTOR

- Jo Fitzgerald / Liz Hetherington