EA Introductory Horse Management

The Introductory Horse Management course delivers knowledge necessary for all horse owners to own a horse safely. It is of great benefit to any parent thinking of purchasing a pony for their children or parents already with horses and ponies who want to understand more.

We have a saying… “You don’t know what you don’t know till you realise you don’t know it!!”

Our course runs from 10am-4pm, one Saturday each month for 6 months, with the final month being the assessment. The day consists of theory discussion and practical application of the day’s learning.

A horse is required for the assessment. If you do not have your own horse, please let us know if we need to provide one for you for the duration of the assessment.

The course covers the following:

Unit 1: General Horsemanship and Safety

• Horse Identification
• Horse Handling
• Horse Behaviour
• How to care for horses in stables and paddocks
• How to ensure safety in the stable complex and paddock

Unit 2: Tack

• Saddle types, purposes, and parts of the saddle
• The bridle, parts and purposes (of different nosebands/bits etc)
• Martinglae, cruppers & breastplates
• Care & cleaning
• Rugs, Boots and Saddle Coths
• Respiratory Infections/Problems

Unit 3: Health & Fitness

• Signs of good health
• Azoturia & Tying Up
• Colic
• Laminitis
• Worming
• Strangles & Tetanus
• Skin Conditions
• Respiratory Infections/Problems
• Lameness
• When to call the Vet

Unit 4: Feeding

• The rules of feeding
• Feed types & properties
• Feed quality
• Poisonous weeds
• Feed storage
• Haynets
• Paddock features & management

Unit 5: Hoof Care, Grooming & Travelling

• Hoof care
• Basic shoeing
• The value of grooming
• Grooming equipment
• Washing a horse
• Travelling a horse