Friday Feature Archives : Page 2 of 10 : Equus Education

Friday Feature: Breeder

July 11, 2014 by Christine Meunier 1 Comment

This week’s letter is B. If you missed last week’s Friday Feature, take a look at Accounting (Equine Business).

Breeding Horses can be Incredibly Rewarding, but Hard Work and Time Consuming

It is possible to be a person who breeds horses for a living. It should be noted however, that a successful breeder needs to be able to:

Cater to a niche market – there needs to be a demand for what is being bred
Support financially the cost of keeping mares, foals, young stock and/or stallions
Have somewhere to keep a number of horses
Be patient – it takes 12 months to breed a mare and generate a foal and even longer to sell the progeny
Turn out the sale horses to a high standard or pay for someone else to do so, so that they’re presented well to potential buyers

An awareness of a mare’s reproductive cycle, and how to care for her during pregnancy and feed her appropriately are important. If owning stallions, knowledge of live covers and/or artificial insemination as well as appropriate training and handling of entire horses is also vital.

If you plan to breed horses, but only provide the financial backing, then you’ll need to find an appropriate property (stud) on which to keep the horses and will be charged for the staff knowledge and experience with regards to the care of stud horses, breeding fees and agistment costs.

For posts that relate to this area of work on Equus-Blog, take a look at:

“Breed the best to the best and hope for the best.” – Breeder’s axiom

Friday Feature: Accounting (Equine Business)

July 4, 2014 by Christine Meunier 1 Comment

This week’s letter is A. If you missed last week’s Friday Feature, take a look at Welfare (Equine).

Well we’re back around to the letter A for the third look at an equine related career that falls under this letter of the alphabet. It’s tax time in Australia with the end of the financial year marking a busy period for accountants! This is no different for the equine business than for any other business – finances need to be in order.

To be able to seek advice and help from an accountant who is familiar with the equine industry I believe is a big bonus. If those helping out in the financial area of your business are also familiar with common terminology and costs in the equine industry, so much the better.

If you have an interest in providing financial services to equine businesses, consider:

They may not be your only market, particularly if you’re starting out
Getting an accounting/financial qualification
Ways you can market yourself to those in the horse industry – at sales, competitions, information sessions
What you can offer to the equine business that is different to other financial advisers who aren’t familiar with horses

For posts that relate to this area of work on Equus-Blog, take a look at:

“Don’t give your son money. As far as you can afford it, give him horses.” – Winston Churchill

Friday Feature: Welfare (Equine)

June 27, 2014 by Christine Meunier 1 Comment

This week’s letter is W. If you missed last week’s Friday Feature, take a look at Veterinary Nursing.

In today’s society, the welfare of animals is greatly promoted. Equine welfare is no different. Many may think of equine rescue set ups around the world when they think of work relating to horse welfare. There are in fact many organisations that also work to promote horse care and educate ignorant owners and workers.

What does a Healthy Horse Represent in Your Mind?

If you have an interest in the welfare of horses and raising their living conditions in your area, consider:

People can do things out of ignorance, not out of cruelty and need to be approached respectfully to advocate change
That the job could involve seeing a lot of under-conditioned and poorly handled or mistrusting horses
Equine welfare jobs can come in the form of work with the RSPCA, governing sporting bodies (EFA/FEI, Pony Clubs, HorseSafe) as well as equine rescue businesses
How you can educate yourself to be a better horse owner/handler
Having an open mind

There are many possibilities to pursue this passion as a line of work. It may involve physically working with bringing horses back to health, educating people about horse health and care, developing educational resources or even being part of an ethics committee that outlines rules for horse care and handling in a particular organisation.

For posts that relate to this area of work on Equus-Blog, take a look at:

“When my health and strength are gone – when I’m getting old and feeble, and my long life’s work is done – don’t sell me to cruel owners, to be slaved to my latest breath…” – Author unknown

Friday Feature: Veterinary Nursing

June 20, 2014 by Christine Meunier 1 Comment

This week’s letter is V. If you missed last week’s Friday Feature, take a look at Track Rider.

You may have a passion for helping injured horses, but not be interested in pursuing the role of a veterinarian. Rather than needing to go to university to gain a degree, a veterinary nurse is able to complete a qualification at TAFE whilst also working in a clinic, gaining hands on experience.

The catch often is being able to acquire work in a clinic – don’t be afraid to volunteer your time! This can be a great way to build up contacts and then gain work in a field you’re passionate to enter.

Veterinary Nurses may be Required to Help Newborn Foals

If you’re interested in becoming a veterinary nurse, consider:

Your focus won’t be solely horses
You may need to work night duty and cover weekends
You’ll be working with animals that often will be in pain
You may be able to focus on a particular area down the track, such as neonatal care (foals)
If you work in an equine clinic, there will be seasons of work where particular tasks are really busy or non existent (eg, birth of foals, xrays for horse sales)

Being a veterinary nurse will require that you undertake study to gain a qualification. For other posts that relate to this area of work on Equus-Blog, take a look at:

Profile On: Morgan Bailey – Equicare

“Lessons from your horse: when you’re feeling financially secure, let me teach you the meaning of ‘veterinary services, additional.'” – Author unknown

Friday Feature: Track Rider

June 13, 2014 by Christine Meunier 1 Comment

This week’s letter is T. If you missed last week’s Friday Feature, take a look at Steward.

Many people love the idea of riding fast horses – not me, I’m a sook! Although they may aspire to be a jockey, their physique may not make this possible. It is however possible to be taller and weigh more than a jockey and still ride track work. That is, ride horses on a racecourse in anticipation for race day.

In fact for many, the opportunity to become a jockey is first formed through riding track work.

If riding racehorses appeals to you, consider:

A need to know racing rules and regulations
The need to ride horses at timed work
Early hours will be a non negotiable
Busy days will often be race days, which will include weekend work
Riding happens at most stables 6 days a week and will involve riding many different horses each morning

You need to have your track rider’s license to be able to ride racehorses for a trainer. For other posts that relate to this area of work on Equus-Blog, take a look at:

“What a creature he was! Never have I felt such a horse between my knees. His great haunches gathered under him with every stride, and he shot forward ever faster and faster, stretched like a greyhound, while the windbeat in my face and whistled past my ears.” – Arthur Conan Doyle

Friday Feature: Breeder

Friday Feature: Accounting (Equine Business)

Friday Feature: Welfare (Equine)

Friday Feature: Veterinary Nursing

Friday Feature: Track Rider

Equus Education Store at TeachersPayTeachers

About Equus Education

Want to be kept in the loop about future posts?

Privacy Policy for EE