Blog : Equus Education

Museums for the Horse Industry

September 22, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Hearing about a museum recently on the radio, I got to thinking about some museums I have visited. Some of these had horse aspects to them – did you know you can view Phar Lap’s heart? Others are entirely horse focused, like the Living Horse Museum. In time my thoughts moved along to setting up museums for the horse industry.

I know the Irish National Stud was establishing a horse racing museum whilst I was studying there back in 2006. A lot of their money comes from visitors and tourism, as well as their stud. So if you have a passion for a particular sport or theme within the equine world, why couldn’t you set up a museum around this topic? The idea would be that people pay to move through the rooms of your museum and learn the history of your chosen topic.

Museums for the Horse Industry

So what are some examples of museums for the horse industry?

Perhaps horses in history and the roles equine species have played in history. Did you know about mules being used to pull people down a canal? Or ponies that were used in mines to gather coal. Or horses used in war?
What about various breeds of horses? The Lipizzaner horses have an interesting history as I’m sure many other breeds do! There could be a focus on new breeds (those established in the last 100 years, for example). And of course, you could look at the breeds of horses that have greatly influenced others, like the Arabian.
Equestrian sports. Perhaps different sports that can be carried out on horseback could be explored. There are those sports people do for fun, those that have been banned in certain areas (like foxhunting) and those that are done up to Olympic level.
Famous horse people. Whether it be jockeys, Olympians, breeders, trainers or educators, the role that celebrity horse people have played in society and our lives could be explored.

Museums for the Horse Industry | Equus Education

There are many topics within the horse world that could provide a great muse for a horse related museum. If you have a passion for a particular area and know a lot of the history and facts within it, could you set up an area that portrays this so others can learn? Of course, a fee could be charged for people to come through the museum.

Making use of Equine Organisations

September 20, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Recently I was made aware of the Victorian Farmer’s Federation. They were having a young farmer’s evening and I convinced my husband we should go check it out. After all, we plan to have land and work it in the near future. It was an interesting night that made us aware of a few different organisations that could benefit us as land owners and as horse owners in the future. Generally speaking, if we have a question about farming, we could go to the VFF. If they can’t answer it, they can point us towards someone who can. So as someone who’s aspiring to work in the horse industry, do you know of and are you making use of equine organisations as valuable resources?

Equine Organisations as Resources

Equine Organisations can be a Great Resource for Your Career

Let’s say you’re based in the United Kingdom and you want to compete professionally, or teach people how to ride. Are you making use of the British Horse Society and their network of people to help you achieve this?

Maybe you have a passion for working with disabled people and know that horses can help them. Have you considered joining up with your local Riding for the Disabled? Or perhaps the Equine Assisted Learning group that focuses on hippotherapy?

You’re really keen on the idea of dentistry for horses and think this could be a fulfilling career. Do you know of veterinary associations or equine dentistry organisations that could guide you on the right path to take?

Racing is your passion and you’re not sure if you want to be a strapper, an exercise rider, trainer or a jockey. Do you know the racing authority in your local region? Have you looked into what each position offers and what it requires from you?

There are many organisations out there that are set up to be a guide for you. Chances are if you have a question, so has someone else before you! And there’s probably an answer outlined on a website or able to be provided in a reply email just for you. When it comes to your horse future, be sure to look into organisations that are set up in the industry you aspire to get into. This can be your greatest resource for networking, job opportunities and education possibilities. Don’t overlook it.

The Runaway Pony by Angharad Thompson Rees

September 18, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Those who have read the Girl and Her Pony, will already be familiar with Princess Sophia and perhaps even her perfectly behaved, grey pony. In the Runaway Pony, Sophia is amazed to find herself astride her grey pony Sky, in another world.

The Runaway Pony by Angharad Thompson Rees

Sick of the lack of privacy and restrictions placed on her as a part of the royal family, Sophia longs to escape it all. She finds she has this in common with Sky and the two decide to escape the rules even if only for a little while. Little did they realise that their adventure would last longer than a quick gallop away from the king’s guards.

Finding themselves in the land of Faerie, Sophia and Sky question what is most important to them. This comes to mind as the question is raised by an unusual talking snake in the land of Faerie. As horse and rider try to work out this upside down land they’ve ventured into, they soon find themselves in trouble. And they are unsure how to get out of it.

Their adventure consequently turns into trying to find a way home and solving the snake’s riddle. And along the way, ultimately they learn about true friendship.

The Runaway Pony is a delightful tale for young readers with a great moral. The fact that one of the main characters is a pony adds to its appeal. This is yet another great read by Angharad Thompson Rees. If you’re looking for some horse themed books for your youngster, be sure to check out the Magical Adventures and Pony Tales. It contains all 6 horsey adventures in one!

Author – Angharad Thompson Rees
Fiction – children
In my library – as an eBook it is.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

The Farrier Guide for Aspiring Farriers

September 15, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I have recently started a new writing gig that will be a regular thing. As I was looking over the site, I realised it’s a resource I should be writing about here! So how could it be of benefit to you?

Well, you have a love for horses and their feet in particular. You’re up for a physically demanding job and love the idea of looking after horses’ health care. And of course, correcting conformation issues and dealing with many different horses on a daily basis! Did you know about the resource the Farrier Guide?

Working as a Farrier

This is an online resource that provides many things for those who are already employed as farriers, or for those who aspire to be. There is a farriery guide that highlights the basics of this career. There is also an education and employment guide for those wanting to be up to speed on the industry.

And if you’re looking to study, there’s a selection of horseshoeing schools and farrier courses that are detailed in a directory, worldwide. To make this even more appealing, users can rate and comment on individual schools/courses to give an unbiased view. There are even interviews with instructors and owners of schools to help potential students determine what would suit them best.

With a blog that has monthly educational posts relating to horses and the industry and a book store, the Farrier Guide seems to be a great online resource for someone wanting to get into this industry. As with many things in the horse industry, having skills and an education is important. If you’re interested in pursuing farriery as a career, check out this resource that provides so much to make you well-informed.

Horse to a horse owner: ‘I saved you some money; took the shoe off myself!’

Microfinance for Horse Small Business

September 13, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

You may have already read the post on Equus Education about providing finance to people who have a horse business plan. Of course, this often happens in the form of a loan, on which you need to pay interest. Recently on Vision Radio I heard an interview with a gentleman who is involved in microfinance in the Philippines. And of course I got to thinking about microfinance for horse small business. (No I’m not obsessed!)

So what’s the general idea? Well, if we use the example from the Philippines, $150 USD was provided to people who had a business idea. With this (small) sum of money they were able to start a business.

It could be to buy product or something to help them provide a product or service that they could sell. Alongside this money, they were also provided with training and encouragement to get their business off the ground. Within a short time span, they were also expected to pay back the money that they had been loaned. This was interest free. Any other money they made after paying back the loan was theirs to live on / provide for their family and future.

I love this concept of empowering people to do things for themselves. Sometimes all someone needs is a helping hand to get out of a poverty cycle. This could be a cycle that may have affected their family for generations. With the accountability of paying back what they’ve been loaned, they aren’t being given something for free. Rather, they are being provided with an opportunity to earn and be responsible for themselves.

Microfinance for Horse Small Business

So how could microfinance apply to horse small business? What if a particular setup provided $150 USD to individuals to start a horse business? Is this enough? For some things, sure!

$150 could help to buy a website and pay for hosting – it would cover the hosting and .com renewal of Equus Education for a year.
It could be used for someone to undertake a course that educates and enables them to earn, like with my Equine Passive Streams Course at Udemy.
Maybe the money could be used to pay an editor, get a book cover designed and publish a book. Electronically, you can publish a book for free on many platforms and earn a return as soon as someone buys.

So how would such an initiative benefit the person providing the money? Not in the form of interest earned on the money loaned. But what about in the form of raising the economy in particular areas, or even worldwide? In time, if the concept grew, maybe different people could volunteer their time and resources in various areas.

For example, maybe $150 USD in a third world country could buy a horse or donkey that could be used as a pack horse or trail horse for tourists. In this way, it could be bringing in consistent money for the owner. Buying second hand horse books off eBay or in opportunity shops and selling them in sets could generate a handy return.

There are so many little things that could be done with $150 to turn it into a greater sum of money and in time, maybe even a viable business. With so many people in the world below the poverty line or on government benefits, for those with an interest in horses, could you see microfinance for horse small business working?

Museums for the Horse Industry

Museums for the Horse Industry

Making use of Equine Organisations

Equine Organisations as Resources

The Runaway Pony by Angharad Thompson Rees

The Farrier Guide for Aspiring Farriers

Working as a Farrier

Microfinance for Horse Small Business

Microfinance for Horse Small Business

Equus Education Store at TeachersPayTeachers

About Equus Education

Want to be kept in the loop about future posts?

Privacy Policy for EE