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Friday Feature: Mounted Police

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This week’s letter is M. If you missed last week’s Friday Feature, take a look at Land Management (Equine).

If you have an interest in law enforcement that combines your love of horses, joining the mounted police may be for you!  For those who are interested purely for the riding aspect, you may be disappointed.

Getting into the police force requires mental and physical testing.  It is only after passing these and being a police officer for a set time that you may get to apply for a position within the mounted branch.

Some things to note:

  • Horse skills and competent and safe riding are necessary to fulfill this role
  • You need to have 2-3 years as a police officer behind you before being able to enter a mounted police role
  • A good level of fitness is required

Two mounted police officers within Australia have been kind enough to answer some questions about the role.  Be sure to check out the links below.

For other posts that relate to this area of work on Equus-Blog, take a look at:

“How to ride a horse: step one – mount the horse. Step two – stay mounted…” – Author unknown

Profile On: Lyndsey Denning, Network Horses

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Lyndsey Denning of Network Horses kindly took the time to answer some questions about her recent equine business venture.

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
I spend on average 2 hours a day looking after my 2 horses. In addition to this, I have recently started my own business – www.networkhorses.co.uk which is an Equestrian website. I am currently spending on average 8 hours per day (and night!) promoting and developing my new business.

Lyndsey on her Mare, Diamnat Du Carel

What is it exactly that you do?
I have 2 horses which I compete in dressage and eventing as often as I can. Network Horses is a website that combines social media, recruitment and a directory – all specific to the equine industry.

Currently I am promoting Network Horses to businesses and people within the equine industry as the new Equine site to be a member of! Interest is picking up and we recently announced a sponsorship deal with Charlotte Fill, who is a well respected dressage rider and coach.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
We have very high hopes for Network Horses and believe it will be a great hit – the initial interest has been incredibly promising.

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
Having experience of horses spanning 22 years, I would like to think I have a reasonably good level of knowledge about Horses and the Equine industry! In addition to this, I did go to university and I have a background in recruitment. Couple that with a good network of equestrian friends, family and acquaintances (not forgetting shear hard work and determination) and I believe you can have a crack at the whip.

Lyndsey’s Three Mares

Favourite horse memory?
Wow very difficult question! You know, I can’t pick any memory competing, there are many special ones. I would have to say my favourite horse memory is the first time I discovered that no matter how bad a time you are having, your horse is always there to pick you up, and take you forward. That is amazing.

Future goals?
To develop Network Horses into the UK’s leading equestrian website.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The horses – wouldn’t change that for anything!!!

“Horse Person’s Glossary – Feed: Expensive substance used to manufacture manure.” – Author unknown

Large Animal Rescue Workshop in June

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I received an email a few days ago about an upcoming Large Animal Rescue workshop:

Saturday 28 June – Portland, Victoria. QHC / Cobboboonee Horse Riding one-day Large Animal Rescue information workshop. Cost: $160 (or $130 if paid in full by 31 May 2014), includes morning tea and lunch. Venue: Cobboboonee Horse Riding, 211 Hodgetts Road, Gorae, Vic 3305. Contact: Kelly Gannon 0428 219 090 kvgannon@gmail.com

I am yet to post about the LAR I attended a few weeks back, but can I say these workshops are well worth the investment! You can find out a bit about MaryAnne Leighton’s book Equine Emergency Rescue in my review.  The book was included in the price of the LAR workshop I attended!

“All I need to know in life I learned from my horse – eat plenty of roughage.” – Author unknown

Friday Feature: Land Management (Equine)

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How is Your Land Managed for Horses?

This week’s letter is L. If you missed last week’s Friday Feature, take a look at Jockey.

For any person who owns or leases a horse, they know that land is needed on which to keep it.  There are many properties out there with owners who are willing to keep horses for a fee (agistment or grazing rites).

Unfortunately, much land used for stock isn’t managed to be best of it’s productive capability.

If land is managed well, it will be more productive for horses, safer (less weeds and other pests, more protection from trees and shrubs, etc) and will be able to hold a greater number of horses, thereby earning the owner more financially.

If you have an interest in land management for equines, consider learning:

  • about soil science (as can be found in an agricultural degree)
  • about composting or putting nutrients back into the soil
  • what fodder sources are suitable to grow for horses
  • how biodiversity can benefit a property
  • about rotational or other forms of grazing/pasture management

For other posts that relate to this area of work on Equus-Blog, take a look at:

“You know you’re a horse person when you consider a golf course as a waste of good pasture land.” – Author unknown

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You will find equine careers profiled on this blog and people interviewed who are making a career in the horse industry.  Equus Education aims to show others that horses can indeed be a sustainable career.

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