So I had my boy’s feet done today by a farrier who is undertaking a course with the Australian Certificate Equine Hoofcare Practitioners.

It seems that these guys are based in Tasmania, Australia but people nationally and internationally are signing up for the course they offer.

The course is started with a 2 week intensive session, and then 9 months of self-paced study.  For those interested in farriery work for their own horses, or perhaps as a career option, why not check it out!

It was evident to me today that this young woman is able to undertake farriery work and having chosen to now do so as a career, she’s keen to have her skills recognised formally by a piece of paper.

Perhaps if you’re in the same boat, it is worth looking into the courses available near you.

“No foot, no horse.” – Author unknown

 

Friday was such a delightfully exciting and productive day at work. (Now tell me honestly, have you ever been able to say such a thing about your work?)

Based on the content of this blog, it should be no surprise that I love horses, the horse industry and education relating to it. Perhaps that’s how I’m blessed to currently be in an equine educational role at a TAFE in Victoria.

My main tasks at this stage focus around generating or updating resources for our horse breeding courses, and getting the related information and assessment tasks online for our enrolled students to utilise. I’ve recently finished writing a learner guide regarding carry out stud and stable management duties and written a couple of assignments and quizzes that the students must complete in order to gain competency in this particular unit of their course.

It felt great to finish this all and have it live online for when the students will be starting the unit at the end of the month. I love finishing tasks before they’re due!

Another staff member who assesses students in the racing industry mentioned that a nearby thoroughbred stud was looking for someone to help with mucking out boxes. I emailed our current students to let them know in case anyone was looking for work in the nearby area. One promptly replied, wanting to know how she could chase up this available work, so I gave her contact details for that particular stud.

A young woman came in a little later, seeking out horse courses that she could undertake, as well as a job in the industry. A couple of us talked with her regarding the courses on offer at the National Centre for Equine Education and I was able to inform her of another job that is available an hour down the road at another thoroughbred stud.

Alongside this, our course coordinator called to let me know that we have a new trainee for one of our courses, and that she is working at a thoroughbred stud that I used to work at and still have close contact with the workers there. Now I’m new to traineeships, but it seems that this particular one at my old workplace could be one of the first for me to sign up and assess out in the industry.

For me, it doesn’t get much better than that for a morning’s work! I was able to:

• Complete resources in advance and have them online for current students
• Help a current student apply for a potential job
• Talk with a potential future student about course options, a possible job and her future career with horses
• Agree to take on a new task that will gain me more skills at work and allow the chance to visit those who first helped me get started in the industry

Yes, life is sweet 🙂

“A dog may be man’s best friend…But the horse wrote history.” – Author unknown

This one’s for the stockmen and women out there!  I received it as a notification as part of my equine science degree.  It’s titled the King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge.

What is it?  There is a 2013 $1500 study/training scholarship on offer. Things to note:

• Applications close April 7th, 2013
• It’s open to 16 – 20 year olds
• Applicants should be residing in the Greater Hunter or New England North West Regions
• Applicants must have started or be starting a course or apprenticeship in line with horses, cattle or other Agricultural pursuits

There is a lot more information provided at the Scholarship Entry Page.  The winner will be announced early May at the King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge and Bush Festival in Murrurundi, New South Wales, Australia.

It can be difficult for young adults to break into the agricultural industry skilled and qualified.  This is perhaps even moreso true this year due to funding changes with the government affecting TAFE costs.  Scholarships like this can be a major leg up!

“I took to the life of a cowboy like a horse takes to oats.” – Clinton McCoy