I think the idea of working and gaining a qualification will forever be appealing to me.

For those interested in ministering to others that are as passionate about horses as their faith, perhaps the likes of Attunga Youth Ministries Pty Ltd – a not for profit Christian outreach camp – would be of interest to you.

The aboriginal word for High Place, ‘Attunga’ is located in New South Wales, Australia above the Wingecarribee and Wollondilly rivers.

Attunga offer an Internship which at the end you will have achieved your Certificate IV in Christian Ministry while serving through the area of horse riding, worship/music, activities, kitchen/catering or site development/maintenance.

Running from February to December each year, you can apply for the internship up to two years in advance and must be within the 18-30 years bracket.

Want to see some native Australian animals?

Maybe the place where kangaroos, wombats, koalas and rosellas hang out might be worth a visit.

Being a camp, it is possible to visit Attunga without taking up an internship or employment.

As someone who plans on reaching out to people through the horse property she owns in the (hopefully not too distant) future, this place like many others, has a lot of appeal.

“What the horse does under compulsion…is done without understanding…and there is no beauty in it.” – Xenophon

tag: equine ministry, horse goals, equine internship, christian ministry, certificate IV

October already.  As someone who is moving once again at the end of the year and possibly getting into teaching full time, I’m rather aware at the moment of the school term, end of year exams and preferences.  And let’s face it, it wasn’t that long ago that I was having to put in preferences for after high school.

For those who are considering the horse industry and related studies, don’t let a course acceptance ascertain if you’re going to do something with horses or not.

I got into my Diploma of Horse Studies with no worries but got knocked back for the Irish National Stud the first time round (and found the extra twelve months experience before going to the National Stud to be invaluable).  Now I’m applying to do an equine nursing course dependent on finding a job that will allow me the one weekday off a week to study.  I’m also applying for a teaching position.

The worst thing that can happen is I end up with too many choices.

If you’re not sure, just put out feelers to all possibilities that appeal to you and wait to see which doors are opened for that particular season of your life.

There are many places out there that are willing to:
– take on working pupils (especially competition and riding school properties)
– run apprenticeships (such as jockeys and farriery work)
– employ you and allow one to two days a week of study (such as studs/veterinary practices).

For anyone but especially those of you going through your final years of high school make sure you take the time to shop around for what best suits your funds, available time and interests.  And remember, it’s not the end of the world if you get halfway through a course or a few months into a job and then decide it’s not for you – better to find out sooner and just put it down to experience, not a resulting failure.

“I believe it’s been the most gratifying experience I’ve ever felt. Once you sit upon the saddle, and place both feet on their proper recess, and whisper the horse into a gallop, you realize you’ve only begun to live once you’ve met the riding horse.” – Carlos Astudillo

tag: equine nursing, horse course, apprenticeship, farriery, jockey, stud work

***Know that you want a career with horses but not sure what exactly?  Check out the Vocation 100 page for a growing list of possible vocations with horses and relating posts.***