Blog : Equus Education

Riding With A Purpose

January 13, 2008 by Christine Meunier 3 Comments

Well, got thrown off my pony today – first time in twelve months or more, rather a surprise! Thankfully, no damage done and one fall closer to my hundred that supposedly will distinguish me as a rider 😉

I’ve been flicking through some old horse magazines for ideas for lessons in theory and riding this year and came across an article that pointed out the importance of having a plan for each lesson, rather than riding without a particular focus or aim. Makes sense to me and definitely makes riding more interesting as I run out of things to keep me entertained while riding alone.

As someone who’s teaching each weekend of this year, its been suggested by another instructor that I make a heap of lesson plans that I learn inside and out so that I’m not searching for things to teach the students. Also, if I’ve planned in advance, I can test out the lessons on my own horse, working out the level of difficulty, where potential problems may arise and therefore working out ways to fix them. Also, it gives me a general idea of how long a particular topic may last.

Where I teach the general private lesson is 1.5 hours – 45 minutes of riding the rest catching, grooming, tacking up and later untacking and grooming before putting away. Today I was focusing on a lesson based around circles – 20, 10 and 5 metres, figure of eights and serpentines. It’s amazing how these simple exercises can teach the beginner and beyond. They require a knowledge of the setup of an arena, where letters are spaced out, correct diagonals or canter leads if working beyond a trot, having a balanced horse on a circle and a lot more.

Despite being thrown off, utilising my own horse to practice the lesson I will be teaching was a great way to give him some exercise, remind myself of what to look out for in each part of the lesson and how long the exercises will feasibly go for. Your own horse can be a valuable tool and you’re reinforcing basics while riding the lesson as well as having a particular purpose in mind for when you do ride. Those of you who teach will find doing so a valuable tool for teaching a lesson.

“If you want a stable friendship, get a horse!”

tag: horseriding, training, coaching, instructing

The Traveling Student

January 7, 2008 by Christine Meunier 4 Comments

Been looking at sites online for a friend who wants to do the traveling thing with horses and I stumbled across YardandGroom. Sure, a few of you are probably asking if I’ve had my head under a rock or something – I’m sure it’s a popular site.

Found a few possibilities for her but it didn’t help my plan of not wanting to do any travel this year! I’m trying to be a good girl and focus my energies (and money) on saving for a house rather than further travel at this point in time. I did come across a few jobs that looked rather appealing though. Most were under the subject of ‘Working Student.’

For those of you who are interested in travel, work with horses and don’t have much in the way of financial commitments, this would be worth exploring. Many of the jobs offered provide food and accommodation, but you’d be lucky to see money as part of the agreement. However, many places that compete and teach for a living offer daily riding lessons, the chance to show/compete and some offer a place for your horse, too.

If you’re between 18-29, this is the best time to consider traveling as it seems that once you hit 30, working Visa’s are very hard, if not impossible to come by. Yard and Groom covers all sorts of disciplines – breeding, holiday riding places, racing, hunt, riding school, livery, showjumping, dressage, showing, endurance, polo, stud work, eventing, etc. If you’ve an area you wish to learn more about and want to add some traveling to that experience, look into possible Working Student Positions.

http://www.yardandgroom.com/Jobs/job.aspx?id=3378 – one of many working student positions available.

“A horse, like Cary Grant, lends romance to any venture.”

tag: working student, travel, self education, training, horseriding

VET for Vet

December 31, 2007 by Christine Meunier 3 Comments

So I’m thinking about going back into studying – part time – in 2009. A lot of friends are looking in vet/equine nursing at the moment and I know once I move to Wangaratta that there is a TAFE nearby that’ll facilitate doing this course. Vet nursing was appealing but as far as I can see, you need to be placed in a Vet practice to be able to fulfill the requirements of the course.

Not exactly an option for me at this point in time and it seems sorta like a catch 22 – do the course to get employed; need to be employed to be accepted into the course.

Vet horse

Now as someone who is more partial to just learning the equine related bits – and purely for my own want to learn more rather than gain employment in this field – the Certificate III in Equine Nursing looks very appealing. You can be employed on a stud and do the course part time. Stud work is definitely something I envisage going back to in 12 months time, so this seems perfect.

If you’re considering Vet Nursing and have a passion for horses, consider whether Equine Nursing is the way to go or if you want to cover a broader range of animals and then specialise.

“This course is for people who want to work in a specialist equine facility as a competent equine nurse. You will learn about horse health, anatomy and physiology, an introduction to horse breeding, foal care and nursing, equine medical and surgical nursing, equine clinical pathology, equine radiographic and anaesthetic nursing.”

Entry requirements – year 12; related occupations – veterinary nurse.
http://www.hunter.tafensw.edu.au/

Cert. III GOTAFE
http://www.gotafe.vic.edu.au/courses/course_info.cfm?CID=91165NSW

Entry Requirements – Applicants should be working in the thoroughbred industry, or a veterinary practice specialising in equine services. Veterinary Nurses working in general practices may also apply, and may be required to undertake a suitable equine related practical placement.
18 months, part time.

Veterinary Nursing
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile169/ – questions regarding work conditions, qualifications needed, expected wage and more.

Equine Nursing Guide – http://www.beva.org.uk/taxonomy/term/102

Veterinary Nurse Occupation Information – http://www.myfuture.edu.au/services/default.asp?FunctionID=5050&ASCO=639211A

“The horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle.”

tag: certificate III, TAFE, equine nursing, vet nursing, self education, course, australia, united kingdom