Whenever I come across a resource that I feel could benefit your horse career or business, I am keen to share it! And so is the case with this article on Equine Studies Scholarships. The linked page is solely made up of a list of eleven different scholarships related to equine studies.

Although it is ‘only’ a list, it links to details on each scholarship.  It also identifies the amount that is on offer through the individual scholarships. These range from $500 for the Animal Compassion Undergraduate Scholarship to $75,000 for the AQHA Coyote Rock Ranch Veterinary Scholarship. The rest range between these two amounts and fit under different categories.

There are veterinary scholarships, a thoroughbred scholarship and an equestrian science focused one. Whatever your desired area of study relating to horses, I have no doubt it is worth checking out these eleven different scholarships that are listed on the TUN website.

I know here in Australia an equine science degree is around $20-30,000. That said, the roles that you are able to get into because of such a qualification pay a lot more per year than the cost of the qualification. Chances are this is the same for varying horse courses around the world. They will cost you to get them.  And of course to invest the time in studying and passing the various subjects.  But each equine qualification can lead to a different – or many different – equine career paths.

What’s wonderful about so many different equine studies scholarships is that you can truly explore your horse career options. Whether it be for a short course or a four year degree, it seems there are scholarships on offer to cover these costs.

Don’t conclude you can’t gain a horse qualification because you don’t have the money for it currently. Scholarships can be a great way to gain experience and a qualification to chase after your dream horse career.

The breadth of possible jobs within the equine industry astounds me. And then there are the niche areas within one particular career! Consider equine veterinarians. I was rapt to hear about a veterinarian from overseas who had come to Australia and was training to be a farrier. He told me about the Ride and Tie event that I’d never heard of before. I loved that a vet was undergoing further training so he could specialise in podiatry. (The main male character in my Thoroughbred Breeders series is doing this, by the way ;)). Did you know that there are specialist racing veterinarians? In fact, there is an International Group of Specialist Racing Veterinarians. Awesome!

So what is the IGSRV all about? This is an association that:

“unites regulatory racing veterinarians; advises authorities and encourages research on drugs, health and welfare of the horse. With the Association of Official Racing Chemists it organises the biennial International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians.”

It seems that the more that I learn about other horse careers, businesses and organisations, the more I realise are out there! (I’m making a note to now look into the Association of Official Racing Chemists for a future post ;)).

The IGSRV is made up of 86 members. These span across 32 racing nations. Now I know that the horse racing industry is one of our top employers within the nation of Australia. I have no doubt that could be true for other countries, too!

The International Group of Specialist Racing Veterinarians

What does the IGSRV do? It aims to:

1. “act as an official association of veterinarians with similar interests
2. advise authorities controlling horse racing/equine sports on veterinary matters relating…to:
   1. regulation/control of drugs/prohibited substances
   2. health and welfare of horses
   3. the control of disease
3. act in collaboration with the Assoc. of Official Racing Chemists…to achieve effective regulation and control of drugs/prohibited substances in horses
4. organize meetings of the International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians (ICRAV)
5. promote:
   1. veterinary science re the rules of various controlling authorities
   2. research/knowledge on health, welfare, diseases, pharmacology and drug metabolism
   3. international goodwill.”

Membership is limited. Veterinarians need to be nominated by authorities that control racing and other equine sports. But I am sure there are a great many of these equine specialists out there! If your future career goal is to be an equine veterinarian, keep this association in mind.

Recently a friend tagged me in a post on Facebook. It was an article about a horse discovery in Siberia. This foal that was found was said to be from 30-40,000 years ago. As the article and photos were released on August 23rd, it was interesting to read that the foal was proposed to be a couple of months old. And yet general consensus in the comments from all around the world was that the foal was more inclined to be a newborn. People from America, Australia, New Zealand and other countries indicated from their decades of experience breeding horses that the photo of the foal was less likely to be months old, but at most weeks. And these equine specialists, we’ll call them, were able to indicate why they came to this conclusion.

Whatever your field of equine work, it is possible to become a specialist in time. And from here, you may be called upon to utilise your expertise to explain a concept, discovery or even educate others in a particular field.

I love this about the horse industry – it covers so many different facets! And there’s always room to learn and grow.

As was shown with this article, the foal’s age had been determined and printed.  And yet, there were others who were willing to dispute the facts listed in this article. It’s not the disagreement that caught my attention, but the general consensus from many horse people in various countries. And of course the fact that they backed up their statements with reasons why.

With these online opportunities to share information, you can in time develop yourself as an equine specialist in a particular area. As you share what you know and why you have a particular view, you will start to get recognised.  You may even develop a following if your views have merit!

This in time can lead to employment. Would you believe that it was this blog that led to me being employed to teach horse courses?  This was due to my passion for horse related careers. You never know where your passion may lead to.  In what area would you love to establish yourself as an equine specialist?  Who knows how it may impact the history of the horse industry? 🙂