Equine

National Trade Academy Certificate in Equine Skills (Level 3)

Course length: 38 weeks
Start dates: February each year

This course provides students with the skills and knowledge required for a career in the equine industry. Students will be job-ready for spring season employment in the equine industry. Stable hands are sought-after to work in both local and overseas stables creating a significant demand for new employees with appropriate equine skills.

Course Outline

Care of Horses
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of paddock maintenance, supplementary feeding, paddock management, stable management including bedding and cleaning stable equipment, grooming and use of grooming kit, farrier techniques, and lunging.

Horse Health
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the anatomy of horses, will recognise signs of good and ill health, be able to identify plants and trees potentially poisonous to horses, and their management, assessing a horse's conformation and action, structure and functions of the horse's body and emergency care.

Industry Knowledge
Students will understand the career and training opportunities within the equine sector and what will be expected of them in an employment situation.

Riding Skills
Students will have the option of improving their riding skills and demonstrating knowledge in the selection and fitting of gear on a horse for riding, and saddlery maintenance.

After completion of the course, a student will:

be able to meet an employer's expectations in the equine industry by demonstrating adequate practical skills and a general understanding of the industry
understand and be able to manage likely hours of work, conditions of employment, contracts and the salary structure within the industry
recognise structured career paths and pathways for advancement both in the industry and in further education within the Equine ITO
recognise and be able to develop equine business opportunities

Course Schedule

Course material for the Certificate is delivered over a period of 38 weeks and includes two two-week period recesses. Students must attend all delivery for the Certificate. Each theory/practical week consists of:

Scheduled tutor delivery: 25 hours
Work Experience: 8 hours

Students normally begin their course of study in the first week of February and finish mid October. No other entry points are possible.

Work Experience

The course includes field trips to a various equine related businesses. From week six, work experience takes place each Friday at an equine related business. Driver's licence and a vehicle is preferable but not essential.

Qualifications

The National Trade Academy Certificate in Equine Skills is awarded at Level 3 with a total of 102 credits gained from a compulsory section and 26 credits (or more) from one of the four strands. A minimum of 128-131 credits are required for the Certificate.

The qualification also incorporates one of the following National Certificates: National Certificate in Equine 'Stable Practice' Level 3 with Strands in either: Sport Horse, Harness Racing, Thoroughbred Racing or Track Riding.

Entry Criteria

Students will meet the following entry requirements:

have a real desire to work in the Equine industry
possess sufficient English language skills
are at least 16 years old (domestic students)
are at least 18 years old (international students)

Previous equine experience is considered an important factor in allowing students entry to the course and NTA will actively seek evidence of this. Acceptable evidence may be in the form of:

a written referee statement
written employment history
letter of endorsement from an organisation or business within the industry

You will need to meet the riding criteria for the NZ Pony Club 'C Grade' certificate.

Student Visa

To enable you to study on this course you will need to apply for a Study Visa or Permit from NZIS. The following information is a brief outline of what NZIS will require from you. To enter New Zealand you need:

to have an offer of a place from a New Zealand education provider such as a school, polytechnic or university
evidence that you've arranged accommodation through the education provider or through another person
to be in good health and of good character. If your stay is longer than six months, in some cases you may need to complete a TB clearance. You may also need to complete a medical and police certificate depending on how long you intend to stay in New Zealand
a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you are to leave New Zealand
proof that you plan to leave New Zealand once you have completed your study
proof that:
- you've paid any course fees that you're required to pay, or
- you're exempt from paying fees or
- you have a scholarship or an award that covers your fee
proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay
to have the right visa for your visit.