Blog : Equus Education

The Shadow Unicorn by Vicki Blum

May 28, 2018 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

In the second book in the Unicorns series, the Shadow Unicorn finds young Arica once again travelling to the magical world of Bundelag. Haunted by the same dream she’s been having about a trapped grey horse, Arica just knows that the unicorns need her help. With a little bit of magical help from her grandmother, Arica is able to leave her normal life on earth and travel once again to Bundelag.

The Shadow Unicorn by Vicki Blum | Equus Education

When she arrives however, she finds she is uncertain what exactly to do next. Help comes in the unexpected form of Nue and Arica finds herself with a rather unusual travelling companion. As she learns more from – and about – the dwarf, she struggles between irritation at his mannerisms and an eagerness to learn all that he knows.

Bundelag is very different to when she first visited. Something is drastically wrong in the unicorn department. And as Arica delves deeper, she finds that things aren’t quite right with the faeries, either. And then there are the elves; Arica is sure she knows them and their values but finds herself questioning this, too.

It is soon obvious that some dark magic is at work. And not just the magic of her bad uncle Raden. It seems that the haunted unicorn she has been dreaming about is mixed up in amongst it all, too.

In the Shadow Unicorn, Arica finds herself once again drawing on strength that she didn’t realise she had. As she converses with the ghost of her grandfather and meets riddling trolls, she uses all of her wits to try and understand the puzzling way in which messages are being presented to her. As things come together, the young girl finds herself once again fighting on behalf of the unicorns and the faeries. Arica is eager to restore Bundelag to its origins. The Shadow Unicorn is a great fantasy for pre-teens and is bound to capture the imagination of its readers.

Author – Vicki Blum
Fiction – children’s fantasy
In my library – as a Kindle download.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

The Bloodstock Agent as an Equine Career

May 25, 2018 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

The thoroughbred industry has people within it who are known as bloodstock agents. A bloodstock agent is someone who buys and sells horses on behalf of a client. They will do this in exchange for a commission. Often bloodstock agents will be found at yearling, broodmare or ready to run sales, assessing horses.

They may have a client – or potential client – who is interested in a particular horse/s based on how it looks on paper. The bloodstock agent will then attend the sale and assess the horse based on its conformation and movement. They will then report back to the person who is interested in potentially buying said horse. They may even bid on the horse on behalf of their client. Or they may invest in a horse and then sell shares in this horse to other people after purchasing it.

The Bloodstock Agent as an Equine Career | Equus Education

Outside of purchasing horses on behalf of other people, the bloodstock agent is well versed on horse pedigrees. They are able to guide and advise owners about which stallion/s to consider sending their mare/s to. This will then result in a foal with a particular pedigree that they anticipate selling well at a sale. Or it may have wonderful residual value for breeding in the years to come.

There is no formal qualification to become a bloodstock agent. A working knowledge of the industry is important and many within the thoroughbred world will gain experience on studs and in racing facilities first.

The Bloodstock Agent

A bloodstock agent needs to have good communication skills as well as connections within their desired horse industry. Of course, they will also need to know pedigrees, good conformation, results of that particular breed of horses – for racing or performance, for example. And they will need to be able to recognise horses that have potential and guide clients accordingly.

A bloodstock agent will need to be willing to travel to sales associated with their breed of choice. This may require interstate and also international travel. Apparently this profession works on a 5% commission fee typically. You can find out more at the Balance Careers.

The Jockey Agent as a Career Choice

May 23, 2018 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

It was a few years ago now whilst first working for the National Centre for Equine Education that I became aware of the career a jockey agent. Pondering the position, I realised that it made sense that jockeys would have agents much like actors may have. So what would the role entail?

Someone who acts as an agent for jockeys would be involved in securing rides for the jockey to undertake. This would mean conversing with trainers and lining up rides in line with a particular jockey’s capabilities, weight and location where they are able to ride. It is possible that the agent also helps to negotiate fees for the rider. This would be done with the trainer who is contracting them to ride in a race.

The Jockey Agent as a Career Choice | Equus Education

I have no doubt that the agent gets a cut of the jockey’s earnings, or gets a set fee. In return they will be expected to secure as many rides as possible for a jockey within a race meeting.

After all, the more they ride, the more potential they have to earn and gain a name for themselves. For a jockey agent, it would be beneficial to have good negotiating skills as well as good people skills. And of course a knowledge of local horses, trainers, conditions at particular tracks and the rules of racing.

The Jockey Agent as a Career Choice

Interested in finding out more about this career choice? You can head along to read an article from 2017 about jockey agents. This article covers education and training required, licensing as a jockey agent and even anticipated salary for this role. According to this article, the North American Riding Academy anticipate there being about 1500 licensed jockeys in America.

If you take into consideration that an agent represents 1-3 jockeys in total, this leaves a lot of room for jockey agents to secure clients and work on their behalf! The thoroughbred industry would no doubt have the highest level of jockeys and better purses for race riding. But jockeys are also found amongst other breeds including Quarter Horses, Standardbreds and Arabians. If you love race riding and representing people, then this could be a career choice for you.

My Little Pony the World’s Biggest Tea Party

May 21, 2018 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

My eldest child is due to turn four shortly. She loves it when I read to her and recently we had the opportunity to look at a My Little Pony book whilst at church. This one was titled My Little Pony the World’s Biggest Tea Party.

My Little Pony the World’s Biggest Tea Party | Equus Education

Pink My Little Pony, Pinkie-Pie comes up with an idea to hold the world’s biggest tea party with her pony friends. Suddenly the various different coloured and named ponies, have ideas about what would make the party great. Decorations, snacks, dressing up – and of course, tea! The group of friends go into planning mode, each taking part to make this the best tea party ever.

The book has short sentences for young readers as well as plenty of colourful, pony filled illustrations. Each pony is able to be distinguished by it’s different colour and a particular symbol found painted on it’s hind quarter.

As the story progresses, all seems to be falling into place. The location looks wonderful and the tables are set up beautifully. Decorations adorn the room and there’s also plenty of space for the guests. Even the various hats and outfits that will be worn are determined. And yet, Pinkie-Pie is devastated to realise she forgot the most important ingredient: tea! How can they have a tea party if there is no tea to drink?

My Little Pony the World’s Biggest Tea Party is a lovely, positive and colourful story. It also shows how when everyone pitches in, that things come together nicely – even the tea is provided by some thoughtful friends! This short story would be well suited to the pre-primary school aged child and of course to any pony fan.

Author – Jennifer Frantz
Fiction – children
In my library – not at this stage.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

Profile On: Chelsie Huseman, Equine Extension Specialist

May 18, 2018 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I recently became aware of the horse related career, the equine extension specialist. Feeling a little in the dark about this, I contacted one at a university in Texas and asked if she’d be willing to answer some questions about her role. Below are Chelsie’s responses.

Chelsie Huseman, Equine Extension Specialist | Equus Education

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
All of my job is related to horses and people. With horses, however, I participate in hands-on horse work 2-3 times/week. My other obligations involve interacting with people, traveling and work in the office.

What is it exactly that you do?
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is a unique education agency with a statewide network of professional educators, trained volunteers and county offices. The Extension Horse Program addresses priorities and needs identified at a local level by county horse program committees. Specialists, Extension Agents and industry professionals work together to address issues and opportunities of horse production, ownership and use through development of educational resource materials and activities.

The Extension horse specialists within the Department of Animal Science serve more than 950,000 Texas horse industry participants and more than 289,000 Texas horse owners. The Extension horse specialists provide research-based best management practices as related to nutrition, breeding, management, care and use. This is through educational programs and workshops.

Information developed by the Extension equine group is available to all clientele. This includes individual horse owners, goods and service providers, and also industry professionals. Extension remains a leader in helping horse owners become better organized through assistance and leadership in formation of associations and groups.

In addition, the horse specialists are committed to supporting the Texas 4-H, Extension’s primary youth program. This is through support of educational and competitive activities that foster decision making, problem solving and other important life skills.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
Yes.

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
Horse Program Specialists need a masters degree in a related field of study, while Horse Specialists need a PhD. Diversified horse experience is a plus to be a successful candidate in this area of work. This can include horse showing, judging, management, and also ownership.

Chelsie Huseman, Equine Extension Specialist | Equus Education

Favourite horse memory?
I have many fond memories of all the mistakes I made as a kid trying to learn about horses on my own growing up. For instance, when I saddled my horse for the first time because my Dad wasn’t available. That saddle went flying off the side of the horse with me in it because I didn’t tighten the cinch properly. It was frustrating at times not having formal training as a kid. But I look back on it now and feel truly lucky to have learned so many things the hard way. It makes me a better educator today.

Future goals?
Future goals involve continuing to develop equine international opportunities to disperse equine education and provide cultural experiences for Texas A&M undergraduate students. Also, increasing our online following by continuing to utilize our Facebook page Texas Horse to disperse equine education and develop our YouTube channel Texas Horse Help.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
I never live the same day twice. The world of equine education is constantly evolving and I have to keep up! Plus it is extremely gratifying and fulfilling to see youth and adults develop their knowledge and passion for the horse.

The Shadow Unicorn by Vicki Blum

The Bloodstock Agent as an Equine Career

The Bloodstock Agent

The Jockey Agent as a Career Choice

The Jockey Agent as a Career Choice

My Little Pony the World’s Biggest Tea Party

Profile On: Chelsie Huseman, Equine Extension Specialist

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