Equine

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The equine industry offers a wide variety of employment opportunities:

  • In coaching in a range of equestrian centres working as assistants or assistant instructors while undertaking further study.
  • In the performance industry as grooms or specialist grooms for dressage, show-jumping or eventing competitors.
  • In racing working as strappers, stablehands, trackriders or trainers in the racing industries.
  • In equine nursing where graduates may work as specialist veterinary nurses in equine clinics, hospitals and thoroughbred studs.
  • In horse breeding where graduates may work as stud hands, stud managers, pedigree experts and stallion managers.
  • In outdoor recreation where graduates may work as stable hands in a range of assistant positions.
  • In other associated equine industry destinations, including equine health, wholesale/retail of equine products, equine nutrition, equine events management, bloodstock agencies, in the mounted police or in the horse transport industry.

Horse breeding underpins the thoroughbred and standardbred industries. A surge in equestrian activities near population centres has greatly expanded the size and scale of the horse breeding industry. Horse breeding is an international industry and there are opportunities for graduates to work overseas.

The racing industry in Australia was reported as generating more than $10 billion annually in 2004 and creates approximately 92,000 full time jobs. It is a significant employer within Victoria and is highly regarded internationally; with Australian-bred horses operating in a niche export area with high growth potential.

Equine health is a specialised field catering mainly for the throroughbred sector of the horse industry and for specialist equine veterinary practices. Most of the treatment and care is provided specifically for mares and foals. Many students have completed a Veterinary Nursing qualification but may also be equine or veterinary workers interested in a career specifically in equine health. If you have completed the Certificate II in Equine Industry course you may use this qualification to enter the Equine Health industry.

The performance horse industry in Australia is one of the largest and diverse horse sectors, from competition riding, driving, dressage, showjumping, and eventing to coaching and training, education of horses, event management, bloodstock and pedigree analysis and managing equestrian centres and stables.

The schools programs provide general broad-based training in equine to those new to the equine industry or students completing their VCE. You can go on to work or undertake further study in the many equine and small animal sectors including horse breeding, horse racing, veterinary nursing, equine nursing, performance horses or companion animal services. Completion of a prevocational equine course allows for entry into the Diploma of Equine Performance Management and Diploma of Equine Stud Management, and may also lead into higher qualifications in veterinary science, biological science, agriculture and specialist equine degrees.

Prospective students should discuss enrolment with the Course Coordinator. Please contact the Customer Service Centre on 1300 GOTAFE (1300 468 233) for more information.

 

Staff

All NCEE staff in are involved in the equine industry in some way and are highly experienced in their chosen specialities. For more information on our staff please visit our staff listing on the NCEE website.



Visit www.ncee.edu.au for more information.

Programs can lead to positions such as:

  • stablehand
  • trackrider
  • stable foreperson
  • stable manager
  • horse breaker re-educator
  • blood stock agent
  • equestrian/agistment centre manager
  • professional rider & competitor
  • events management
  • equine nurse
  • owner trainer