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Central Horse News 2019 feature on Equine Careers

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NEW YEAR NEW CAREER! HORSE MANAGEMENT AT CIRENCESTER COLLEGE

There is so much diversity in the equine industry with many career paths for young people to explore. Here at Cirencester Sixth Form College students can study from level 2 to level 3 in Horse Care and Management. Whether they are interested in working with horses on a yard, physiotherapy or even lecturing, our courses can help kick start their dream career. On the Level 2 course, students will combine their studies with the large animals course, providing students with a well-rounded education, but also suitable for students who are interested in agriculture. The level 3 Horse Management course covers the essential topics you’ll need for working within the industry, incuding nutrition, anatomy and physiology, equine rehabilitation and therapy as well as business. Students also have the chance to further supplement their learning with trips and visits from guest speakers who are experts in the Equine World. At Cirencester College, we can offer excellent facilities to help students train. These include a private yard that is home to thirteen horses. The horses range from Shetland ponies through to competition horses and ex-racehorses. This allows the College to tailor the learning based on the previous experience of the student, whether they have spent their life around horses or have no practical experience at all. The yard also has an arena to teach students to lunge and long-rein safely, there is also a horse walker at the yard.

New Year, New Career… “Working as a McTimoney Animal Practitioner gives me immense pleasure helping animals and their owners, the freedom to decide my own hours and financial control over my life…. and no day is the same as the one before!” says Nikki Routledge who has been working in the equine therapy industry using animal chiropractic techniques for over 15 years. “Clients range from large warmblood competition horses to small pony club ponies, well trained police horses to veteran hacking horses, and they all enjoy treatment with the McTimoney technique.” As a member of the McTimoney Animal Association, the professional organisation for all qualified therapists using the McTimoney animal chiropractic techniques, Nikki has continued to develop her knowledge, skills and is fully insured to work on her animal clients, “I never stop learning and I find that keeps every day interesting and fun.” The McTimoney animal chiropractic technique was developed by the late John McTimoney and there are now McTimoney Animal Practitioners in every county across the UK as well as abroad in Denmark, Holland, Ireland and Dubai, to name but a few. This simple, effective and gentle chiropractic treatment rebalances the spine and relaxes the soft tissues of the neck, back and pelvis, restoring the animal’s comfort and performance which explains the popularity of this treatment amongst horse owners today. As a newly qualified practitioner, Gemma

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Students are assessed through various methods including; practical, written assignments or presentations. The College lecturers offer a vast experience within the industry and across various sectors, including racing and eventing. The College also has highly qualified technicians to support their progress throughout their time at college. The Horse Management course consistently gains excellent results ranking us within the top 2% in the country (ALPS 1 grading for value added). Horse Management students in the past have had some fantastic opportunities including a behind the scenes tour of Newbury Racecourse and the Horse of the Year Show. Former Horse Management students of Cirencester Sixth Form College have gone onto a wide range of further studies, including equine science degrees and qualifications in equine massage and physiotherapy. For those who are more interested in working on a yard, some former students have become grooms in both competition and racing yards as well as continued training to become riding instructors. Careers in equine business are endless but some students have been working in marketing and business for national companies. Cirencester College also offers courses in Animal Management and Countryside Management. For more information regarding courses at Cirencester Sixth Form College come along to our Open Evening on Thursday 17 January from 5pm to 8pm or please take a look at our website www.cirencester.ac.uk or email student.journeyteam@cirencester.ac.uk.

Pomp is excited about going into practice. Previously a driving instructor, Gemma, (40), initially felt she was too old to retrain for a new career but then realised she had always wanted to work with animals. “I knew a local McTimoney Animal Practitioner, had seen her work and how effective the treatment was, and knew I wanted to be able to do the same,” Gemma states. “I had studied equine massage years before but wanted to extend this skill set. Now I am able to identify each animal’s individual needs and provide a tailored and comprehensive McTimoney treatment plan for my clients.” Gemma studied at the McTimoney College of Chiropractic in Abingdon, with training days also held at Warwickshire College and at practical venues across the UK. The MSc Animal Manipulation programme includes animal sciences, biomechanics and research as well as practical skills training to teach students the treatment process itself. Chiropractors, physiotherapists and osteopaths can apply for direct entry to the MSc. For those without a qualification in these areas, the McTimoney College provides the Graduate Certificate in Animal Therapy which encompasses an animal massage qualification too, and students then progress to the MSc in Animal Manipulation. “Although there was a lot to learn, I enjoyed the course,” says Gemma, “and most of the

training was at weekends once a month, which meant I could keep up my day job too.” As a graduate Gemma has now become a member of professional organisation the McTimoney Animal Association, which requires practitioners to undertake continued professional development, (CPD), ensuring continued excellence and high standards of service to animals and their owners. “I have seen a huge increase in the awareness of animal therapies in the years I have been Working with animals, and McTimoney Animal Practitioners are amongst the most highly trained and competent, thanks to the level of training offered by the McTimoney College,” explains Nikki Routledge.

For more information on how to train to be a McTimoney Animal Practitioner go to www.mctimoney-college.ac.uk/postgraduatestudies/msc-animal-manipulation/ or call 01235 523336 You can find your local practitioner on the McTimoney Animal Association website; go to www.mctimoneyanimal.co.uk

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A Career in the Thoroughbred Breeding & Racing Industry

e caught up with Adriana Blond to chat about why she gave up a career in teaching to join the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Entry to Stud Employment Course at The National Stud in Newmarket and embark on a career in the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. I was a teacher for 18 years and I taught English and Drama to secondary school students. I have always had a love of horses and over the years attended several courses during my holidays to gain experience in horse care and breeding. In more recent years I developed an interest in racing in particular so when I saw the Entry to Stud Employment Course, I decided to make the leap and apply for the course. I was delighted to be accepted, I started the course in October 2018 and haven’t looked back. We completed 9 weeks of training at The National Stud before going into the workplace in January for 6-9 months and continued to work towards the Level 2 Diploma in Racehorse Care. The training included yard duties and horse handling during the morning; mucking out, cleaning the yard, turning out and bringing in mares, mares and foals and weaned foals, putting horses on the walker and assisting with sales preparation of mares and foals. The practical work with the horses and vets is invaluable. Yard Supervisors taught us so much too. The afternoons were dedicated to industry visits, lectures, practical workshops, assessments and online tests. There were a wide variety of outside tours, and social activities including a tour of Newsells Park Stud, a guided tour of Palace House and a tour of Tattersalls Sales Complex. The lectures and practical training sessions from staff and guests were outstanding - so many topics! I would highly recommend the course; the training is excellent and covers all aspects of breeding, horse care and handling and even tractor driving. The training and stud staff are knowledgeable and extremely supportive. The accommodation is superb - we were so well looked after. I’d like to travel after completing my placement and gaining the Level 2 qualification. I’m particularly interested in a season in the southern hemisphere and would love to experience time in the USA. The National Stud Diploma Course is also an ambition. Longer term I’d hope to be a foaling manager and work towards being a Stud Groom. These options are flexible, as I have so much yet to experience.

HAVE A PASSION FOR THE THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY? KICK START YOUR CAREER AT THE NATIONAL STUD WE PROVIDE COURSES FOR: • Those taking their ﬁrst step into the industry • Experienced industry participants looking to further their skill set • Anybody over the age of 18 aiming to forge a career in the thoroughbred industry THE TRAINING: • Gain practical commercial experience on a stud farm • Lectures given by staff and guest speakers • Recognised qualiﬁcations • Visits to industry events and organisations THE BENEFITS: • Guaranteed employment • Career progression • Opportunities to work abroad • Industry contacts

FULL-TIME COURSES | SHORT COURSES For further details contact: E: students@nationalstud.co.uk T: 01638 663464 nationalstud.co.uk

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DRESSAGE | JUMPING | THERAPY

Moulton College equestrian students make the most of the facilities and expert tutoring provided

s the end of term approaches, the equine students at Moulton College reflect on what has been a busy few months! The Equine department at Moulton College offers a range of courses from Level 1 Diplomas to Level 3 Extended Diplomas, with streams available at Level 3 that give learners the opportunity to experience the full range of facilities available at our purpose built Equestrian Centre. The Moulton College Equestrian Centre consists of the main yard with capacity for 28 horses, some of which are owned by students, commercial clients and by the college. These horses are available for the teaching of students at all levels, and for all subject areas, including riding, practical handling and rehabilitation techniques. The College Equestrian Centre also has a 60 x 40-metre covered riding arena with spectator seating, as well as two additional outdoor arenas (60 x 25metres and 40 x 20-metres), a cross-course and a schooling field for novice horses and riders, plus various hacking routes throughout the college’s estate. These facilities are regularly used by students who attend the Equine Academy course at Level 3.

Take the Reins Whether you are just ﬁnishing school, looking for a change or to develop new skills, our hands-on, post-16 and university-level courses can set you on the way to your dream career.

Open Events

This term, the Equine Academy students have been fortunate enough to have had a training day with Olivia Towers. Olivia is a young dressage rider who works tirelessly to help people see their full potential and focus on a positive mindset. The Equine Academy students all received tuition from Olivia in early December, and the focus was on improving not only their riding but self-belief and self-confidence. Students on the Level 3 stream focused on rehabilitation have regular access to the college’s state-of-the-art hydrotherapy centre, which boasts an aqua treadmill, a swimming land, a cold water spa and a solarium, expertly run by Dr Jessica York, who completed her PhD in hydrotherapy using the aqua treadmill at Moulton College. The students work with Jessica and their tutor, Louise Fletcher to design bespoke plans for the horses to improve and maintain their flexibility. The projects involve the use of the facilities in the Therapy Centre, as well as massage and stretching techniques. These students also have trips planned for the New Year to yards that specialise in rehabilitation of horses,

Saturday 12 February, 8.30am – 12 noon Wednesday 13 March, 5 – 7pm Pre-register or apply for courses: www.moulton.ac.uk Get in touch: enquiries@moulton.ac.uk or 01604 491131 Moulton College, Northampton, NN3 7SY

such a HEROES charity and the Redwings Horse Sanctuary for rescue horses. All of our students take part in large scale events, such as the Christmas Show, which took place on Friday 14th December. The students were able to showcase some of their skills that they have learnt over the first term at Moulton College, such as plaiting and preparing horses for public presentation. All of our students are looking forward to what the new term brings. To find out more visit www.moulton.ac.uk

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Ever considered a career in Racing? citizen aged 16 – 22 years old and are physically fit then you will be invited to the School for an interview. If you prove you have what it takes you will be accepted onto a 14 week pre-apprenticeship programme. Successful completion, at the required standard, of the pre-apprenticeship course leads to a full- time paid job in the horseracing industry where you are supported in completing your Apprenticeship.

ou love horses, but have you ever considered making them your career? Imagine if your job was to look after and ride horses every day… it’s the perfect job in an exciting industry which also comes with a qualification ladder, a structured pay scheme and opportunities to travel the world.

The Apprenticeship can be just the start of your journey in racing, the multi million pound industry offers an array of career options, including Stable Staff, Jockey, Travelling Head Person, Trainer or perhaps

branch out into Bloodstock sales. Whichever option appeals there are training courses and qualifications to assist you in making your job your career and your career your dream job!

For more information on what the BRS could offer you visit www.brs.org.uk where you can find details on all the courses on offer and the Open Day dates or email careers@brs.org.uk

Now you just need to know how you access the Horseracing world, well it’s much easier than most people think. You don’t need any experience, you don’t need to find your job but you do need to investigate the courses on offer at The British Racing School (BRS). The BRS runs an Apprenticeship programme in Racehorse Care which is open to absolute beginners! What’s the catch? There isn’t one, as long as you are an EU

LEVEL 2 DIPLOMA APPRENTICESHIP • Available for 16-22 year olds • Residential course followed by an 18 month work placement • Learn to ride and care for racehorses • First step to becoming a jockey • Guaranteed work! • Exciting industry with opportunities to travel

CONTACT CAREERS@BRS.ORG.UK OR CALL 01638 665103 WWW.BRS.ORG.UK

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