Well over the weekend just past I’ve been lining up work on a horse property where the owner will allow me one day a week off to stud. I’m due to start for the new year and have been seeking agistment in the same area.

Finding the perfect house to buy would have topped the weekend off and in the future being accepted into the course I’ve applied for would be the icing on the cake.

I’m sure I’ve already been one to push or advocate the idea of gaining a qualification while working, but I thought I’d run this one by those who might be interested in the idea of equine nursing. Perhaps you haven’t considered getting a qualification because you can’t afford to not be working.

The certificate III in equine nursing that I’ve applied for accepts applicants on the proviso that they are employed either in a veterinary practice that treats horses or a horse stud where a lot of the practical and theoretical knowledge can be put to the test.

I was interested in going into teaching full time next year but with a position not being available in the country town where I am moving to, stud work was all the more appealing when it became obvious that I could do further study alongside this and gain another piece of paper.

The second year of the 18 month course focuses on radiography or x-ray imaging as well as horses under anaesthetic which is an area I am interested in but have little knowledge of.

Currently doing temp work in a hospital and one day a week in a riding school, I needed to line up suitable work to be able to apply for the course.

As one who loves to write, it didn’t take much to put together a letter outlining my search for work and interest in studying one day a week for a particular horse course. Add a resume with relevant experience; send it off to suitable properties (my chosen recipients were based on location) and hope for a positive response.

A lot of the time in the horse industry it’s about who you know, not what you know. Don’t let that stop you from putting out feelers and asking though. Worst case scenario there’s no one that can cater to your request. Best case scenario – too many job offers!

Perhaps equine nursing isn’t your interest. Maybe instructing is. Consider achieving your Level 1 in instructing through the EFA or AHRC or perhaps a certificate III in coaching… alongside work. Most riding schools would be happy to take on someone who they can later use as an instructor.

Never mind teaching, I want to be a farrier! Sound familiar? Apprenticeships are a great way to achieve a qualification while also working and gaining practical experience. This is the common protocol for those wanting to work with horses’ feet.

There are a number or horse related jobs that offer training and qualifications alongside work. It’s just a question of finding out where, when and how.

“What the colt learns in youth he continues in old age.” – French Proverb

Tag:  Level 1, EFA, instructing, farriery, job, apprenticeship, certificate III, equine nursing, self education

***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.***

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.***