Equus Education

Your Horse Career Starts Here

Mounted Police from Racing OTTB

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I often share posts or images for work on our Facebook page.  These will come from various equine organisations across the state, nation or even world wide.  One recent video from Racing.com caught my attention.  It was looking at the life of an off the track thoroughbred that has moved into the role of a mounted police horse.  How wonderful!  Hence this post, mounted police from racing OTTB.

You can watch the video below:

There are so many different facets to the equine industry. And that’s why I love writing about them and have put this blog together. You will never run out of options when it comes to a career with horses.

I used to work as a strapper at Wangaratta Racetrack. Although this feels like it was many moons ago, I am sure the situation is still the same today. The trainer I worked for had a longer list of buyers wanting OTTBs than he had horses to cater to them! Still, it’s wonderful to see that the Mounted Police in Victoria, Australia are also interested in taking on ex-racehorses.

Mounted Police from Racing OTTB | Equus Education
Mounted Police from Racing OTTB | Equus Education

I must admit that the Thoroughbred is my favourite breed of horse. This is generally due to their versatility. They can do pretty much anything. The above story shows that once a horse has finished a particular ‘career’, that doesn’t mean its use has ended. The same could be said for equine workers. Don’t forget, there are many, many avenues in the equine industry that can be explored for work.

“Life is like a dressage test. If you’re too busy thinking about your last move, the next one won’t be any good either.” – Unknown

Fast Track Program (THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS AUSTRALIA)

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It’s no secret that I am such a large fan of the thoroughbred breeding industry.  So I wanted to share that applications have been opened for the Fast Track Program for 2020.  I saw this advertised recently on the Racing Jobs website.  Further research on the Thoroughbred Breeders Australia website indicates:

Looking for an exciting career with horses?

  • 12-month traineeships on offer
  • Work on a respected stud farm
  • Get paid to study a formal qualification
  • Kick-start your career in the thoroughbred breeding industry
Fast Track Program | Equus Education
Fast Track Program (Thoroughbred Breeders Australia) | Equus Education

Want to find out more about the fast track program? You can check it out on their website. They also state:

A limited number of applicants will be selected to take part in the 12-month program which incorporates a mix of on-the-job training and formal study.

If successful, you will be assigned to a reputable stud farm where you will be employed via a full-time traineeship. You will also be enrolled in a Certificate III in Horse Breeding; a nationally recognised qualification.

Over the 12 month period, trainees will attend two intensive learning blocks (6 weeks in total) with the first block commencing shortly after enrolment. These blocks are designed to provide the theoretical knowledge needed to complement the on-farm training.

This formal aspect of the program will take place in Scone NSW, which is in the heart of one of the world’s biggest breeding centres.

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia Fast Track Program

You can apply for the Fast Track Program online. Applications close March 13th.

Perhaps it’s a sign of an obsession that I would apply for this in a heartbeat and surely love it! Even though I already have horse breeding qualifications at the Certificate III level and higher. There is nothing quite like learning about horses, travelling, gaining a qualification and also networking in a great industry!

A Career in the Racing Industry

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This blog focuses on horse careers in the equine industry.  But when it comes down to it, the equine industry is very large!  There are many different facets of the industry that in themselves offer so many jobs. And these in turn are vastly different.  So this post is going to focus on a career in the racing industry.

Horse racing is a massive industry and in Australia it is one of the top employers of people.  Racing Australia has put together a website that specifically focuses on jobs in the industry.  And not surprisingly, they have a section on this site that focuses on racing careers.

There is a list of various jobs that are some way or another involved in the racing industry.  This includes barrier attendants, racing operations and stewards.  Alongside this are bloodstock agents, professional syndicators and thoroughbred trainers.

A Career in the Racing Industry | Equus Education
A Career in the Racing Industry | Equus Education

Track riders, stablehands and stud hands are also on the list.  And for those who help with the health and welfare of the horses there are equine veterinarians and nurses as well as farriers.  Horse breakers and pre-trainers also come into this mix.

Race callers and racecourse managers also help to keep the sport functioning well for observers and those employed in the industry.  And track riders work alongside jockeys to ensure horses are ready for race day and able to run well on the day.

If you head along to the racing careers page you can learn a little about each of these jobs and how they link in with what is known as the sport of kings.  Have you considered a career in the racing industry?

“But what truly horsey girls discover in the end is that boyfriends, husbands, children, and careers are the substitute-for horses.” – Jane Smiley

The Jockey’s Guild

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The online dictionary definition of a guild is “an association of people for mutual aid or the pursuit of a common goal.”  And so the Jockey’s Guild could be looked at as a setup with a focus on jockeys, working towards setting guidelines and rules to protect them in a racing environment.

The Jockey's Guild | Equus Education
The Jockey’s Guild | Equus Education

According to the history of the Jockey’s Guild it was back in the 1940s that frustration was rising around the environment in which horse riders worked.  There was little concern for their needs as they rode horses for other people.  For riders that were unable to ride due to disability or injury from race riding, there was no support.

“The Jockeys Community Fund and Guild in 1940 was precipitated by the racing injury of Sammy Renick. When Eddie Arcaro visited Renick, who was recuperating in the hospital from a broken leg, their discussion led to the formation of an organization that would represent the concerns of jockeys.”

Those who founded this organisation were the leading jockeys of the turf at that time.  These included Eddie Arcaro, Don Meade, John Longden, “Red” Pollard and many more. As it states on their website, the objects of the Jockeys Community Fund and Guild are:

  1. To accumulate, by contributions and dues from the members, a fund from which would be distributed financial aid.
  2. To encourage and foster good morale and good character of its members
  3. To support a policy of fair play and honest treatment as to owners, turf clubs and racing clubs
  4. To uphold the best interests of horse racing
  5. To assist in every honorable way to further the interests of its members
  6. To furnish financial aid to any member of the club at such time and in such amounts as he may deserve and within the ability of the club to afford
  7. To establish a means whereby members of the club would have available additional assurance of freedom from want and insecurity in the event of misfortune and inability to earn.
  8. Any other lawful purpose consistent with the specific objects stated in this article

The guild has helped to purchase insurance for jockeys by racetracks and get ambulances on site at tracks. Fees for jockeys have increased over time and sanitary conditions in jockeys’ rooms have been improved.  Other improvements have related to helmets, increased insurance, changing of racing rails material – the list goes on.

The Guild has been set up to improve racing conditions and the welfare of jockeys in the industry.  As needs arise, they are able to be addressed and funds acquired to purchase, change, improve or introduce new products and settings.  Whatever industry you work in, it is worth knowing if there is a setup that will help to fight for your rights within it.

Working in an Equine Association

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I am getting the chance to view more online equine setups at the moment.  I was recently going over content that we have put together for students undertaking a couple of units relating to care for performance horses.  There are many links within this that go to equine related associations.  Breed associations, horse riding associations, etc.  And I thought about working in an equine association.

Working in an Equine Association | Equus Education
Working in an Equine Association | Equus Education

If you want a career with horses, what’s to stop you from pursuing work within an association that you’re familiar with?  Perhaps you grew up in the Pony Club scene. So why not pursue a career with the Pony Club Association of your particular state?

Or maybe you are familiar with the American or Australian Quarter Horse Association and have an admiration for the breed and associated horse riding events.  Why not a career with the AQHA?

The vast majority of these associations have an online presence.  They have members, rules and regulations, shows and other functions and so much more.  What’s to stop you from utilising your skills, knowledge and passion to pursue a job within one of these areas?  It could be
– website development
– online marketing
– finances
– other forms of marketing or administration
– or even horse related

If you have a passion for a particular horse related association, why not reach out to them and find out about career possibilities with them?  There may be options you haven’t even considered.  It’s always worth asking!

And of course working within an equine association that reaches out to so many horse people would be a great networking opportunity.  It could open other career doors for you in the future.  Or you may find you’re in a position to help others along in their equine career.

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About Equus Education

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.

Explore this blog to find your horse career!

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