EQUUS EDUCATION

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Moving on...
2007-07-24 14:55:00
Hey guys! Just to let you know that I've moved my blog along to http://equus.thomases.org/ so come along and check things out and don't forget to update your bookmarks!Chris
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Some photos from South Africa
2007-07-19 11:55:00
A river we had to cross on the third day on trail. On Puzzle, I had to bring my feet out of the stirrups and rest them up on the pommel to not get wet!One of the three 3 month old cubs we got to play with at the Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve. This picture is huuuge if you click on it!The view I woke up to outside my room two mornings of the trail. I could have lived at Wavecrest!A photo of three of the boys used on trail; left to right - Suave, Puzzle and Dougal. Puzzle was my mount for the five days on trail - he is rising five, was one of the shortest on trail but boy could he move! Loved riding him."As the wind swept over the saddle, it turned to a mixture of bright colors and painted the world." - Ronan Warriors
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Calling All Volunteers
2007-07-18 05:42:00
So I've just been looking at the Equitana website and remember the fun a friend had as a volunteer a couple of years back. And through being a volunteer and getting a pass and therefore access to the likes of vet Ian Bidstrup, Andrew and Bettina Hoy, saddler Peter Horobin, Linda and Pat Parelli, Sandi and David Simons and many more, who wouldn't want to be involved?Equitana is run over the 15 - 18th of November 2007 at the EQUITANA Precinct, Melbourne Showgrounds, Victoria, Australia. If you're horse obsessed, and have that weekend free, consider checking it out! Better yet, volunteer and get yourself in amongst some of the best in the industry! Probably wouldn't look too bad on the resume, either ;)The site is http://www.equitana.com.au/ and while you're there, do yourself a favour and check out the photo competition!"An exhibitor went up to a horse show judge to complain about being placed below someone who made some sort of mistake, such as being on the wrong lead. The j...
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Acquiring Funds/Passive Income
2007-07-14 06:21:00
So I've just spent all my saved money on my trip to South Africa - and it was well worth it! But I'm now back to square one, saving up again. Sometimes it seems a silly task due to the fact that as soon as I've saved a decent sum, I spend it all at once!My mum is a big believer in building up a passive income and I'm starting to see the benefits. The general idea of a passive income is to have funds coming in without having to put in the work. Well that's not quite right. You put in the time and effort to start off with, but manage to build up a process by which eventually you're not working but still receiving money for the initial work. For example, you write a book and get it published and then put it as a product on Ebay. You've put in all the work and as the book gain's interest, you continue to sell it with no real continual effort from your behalf.Now it's to be a long time before I see this dream realised, but it's nice to be aware of ways to bring in funds ...
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Jumps Course Design
2007-07-14 03:41:00
Really enjoy jumping? Love riding and working out related distances, setting up different types of jumps with rollbacks and interesting changes of lead? Perhaps you should look into jumps course designing.http://www.aachen-course-design .com/ - Seems to be the place to go to learn about course design and get yourself known in the industry/gain certificates. Links to seminars on Course Design run through the Federation Equestre Internationale; upcoming seminars in Brazil, Russia, France, Australia and Germany.http://www.jumpdesign.net/ - website of Eduard Petrovic, International Course Designer.http://www.mudhotline.com/la/cou rsdes.htm - Longacres Course Designhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show_j umping - Show Jumping on Wikipediahttp://animal.discovery.com/conv ergence/horsesense/sporthorse/jump_design /interview.html - Interview with Richard Jeffrey, renowned course designer."Been There... Jumped That!"

Professional Riding: Polo
2007-07-13 13:57:00
Different types of the sport:Arena and outdoor polo. Read about the history of polo at http://www.hpa-polo.co.uk/about/history_p olo.asp.Horses needed ? number:As a beginner, 1-2 horses should do suffice to practice on and play matches. This can increase to 4 as your level progresses and even stables of 10+.Costs involved:Horse care ? tack, polo equipment ? helmut, boots kneeguards and mallets, shoeing regularly, vet bills, rugs, feeding and stabling. Game entries, tuition.Rules of game:Arena polo is made up of 4 chukkas (each 7 minutes in length) with teams swapping horses and goal ends at the end of each chukka. Indoor is played with 3 players per team on a field 300 x 150 feet.Outdoor polo is played on a field of 160 x 300 yards ? 10 times the size of an official arena. There are four players to each team and goal ends are changed each time a team scores a goal. There are six chukkas in outdoor polo. More horses are needed for outdoor as it is a faster, more demanding and l...
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Job Opportunity: Weatherbeeta
2007-07-08 13:56:00
Hi guys!Back from a week up in Sydney - have a post for you once I sort through all my stuff! Just thought I'd post a job possibility received through an email from Horseland.'Weatherbeeta are looking for a new Marketing Coordinator to join their vibrant Marketing team based in Nunawading, Victoria. If you have a passion for horses, a marketing degree, and at least 12 months marketing experience Weatherbeeta would love to hear from you!Send your resume to jobs@weatherbeeta.com.au by 11th July.'Weatherbeeta specialise in horse rugs and provide for the US/Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand."Horse people are stable people."
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The Joys the Wild Coast has to Offer.
2007-06-22 13:13:00
Well, I've less than a week left in South Africa and I've had an absolute ball. The current group of work riders plus one staff and the proprietor of Wild Coast Horse Trails have just been out on a trail for five days. The trip in a nutshell? We rode from Kei Mouth to Trennery's to Wavecrest, along the Eastern Coast of South Africa.Consequently, you see a lot of sand and surf! Two nights are spent at each place in gorgeous rooms on the beach. The trail involved around 3-5 hours in the saddle each day, long canters up hills and across the beach; a gorgeous gallop and lots of breath taking scenery - a ship wreck, sand dunes, rocks, hills and beach, cliffs and valleys and South African culture.Before the trail I had the time to ride 15 of the horses here - up roads working on fitness; on trails round the 400 hectare property and at the beach and school horses in flat and jumping - what a great riding experience!I also got to work with a foal that was born the night I arrived, w...
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Ask and You Will Receive
2007-06-12 17:22:00
One of the horse's I've ridden and watched closely while here in South Africa is a piebald mare rising four years old, who was backed (put under saddle) last November. Partly her temperament and breeding can be attributed to this responsive young animal. The other instigator? The backing method here is along the lines of Monty Robert's classic 'Join Up'.I was curious to hear this as for my next adventure, I want to be just above Australia; helping out at Tiwi College and helping with 2,000 or so wild horses on the islands. The man I know linked in with the Tiwi College plans has informed me they use the Monty Roberts' method for young people from broken homes so suddenly this way of doing things has my attention twofold.I commented how I was disappointed that I couldn't see this process carried out before I went home from South Africa and suddenly the proprietor was on the phone to friends and days later, we had two mares about 3 years of age, barely handled to practice J...

Calling All Bloodstock Wannabes
2007-05-31 17:52:00
So I've signed up to receive news from William Inglis, a rather large bloodstock setup here in Australia and thought I'd share one of the emails as it's regarding a 12 month position with the Inglis crew.So if you're interested in/wanna learn about "an excellent opportunity to gain an understanding of the workings of William Inglis & Son... spending 12 months gaining experience in all facets of the company," take a look at the William Inglis and Son Internship."Time will be predominantly spent within the bloodstock sector of the firm, while the opportunity to work within the company?s marketing, leasing and insurance divisions, will offer this person a succinct knowledge and thorough understanding of the runnings of a respected auctioneer/bloodstock agency."They have setups in Newmarket, New South Wales and at Oaklands Junction, Victoria, Australia and applications are due in by October 26, 2007."Whoever said that money cannot buy happiness didn't know where to buy a horse."
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A Place to Vent Online - SIM/Roleplaying
2007-05-28 18:11:00
...the 21st century way to excite kids about horses...My childhood horse loves were Jinny, Silver Brumby and Saddle club - the books, not the shows - and I'm sure previous generations fell in love with equines through Black Beauty and National Velvet.There are so many "places" online that now fuel a horse obsession in the form of simulation games and roleplaying. For many, this is an easy "fix" for the horse obsessed who are without a horse. On Horseland you can create, breed, train and show practically any breed of horse. Those successful in the game are filthy rich (since when was it so common to be handed $10,000 to start investing in horses and over a short time accumulate 10's or 100's of millions?) and have horses with a high number of "points" from wins or places in shows....and all I want is a lousy $3 Million and a half dozen of my own broodmares... and some hacks, and carriages... and, I'm getting carried away!http://www.equination.net - Equination.net (aka "EQ") is...
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What Could Be More Appealing?
2007-05-27 18:48:00
Three days in South Africa and I?ve been horseriding twice ? all day Friday (beach to town to bush) and 10kms Sunday morning up the road. Rhino were pointed out to me and warthog and there?s promise of many more rides and scenery to come. I had the joy of riding Top Deck ? a roan/grey arab gelding on Sunday morning and was riding with a young man who does endurance riding. The result: trotting 4kms or so before heading back at a walk (only cause my mount felt a bit sore, or I?m sure we would have continued at the same pace).To keep up with the horse in front, Top Deck extended his trot beautifully or broke into a rocking horse canter which I could have sat to all day. What a gorgeous feeling!Running a trail ride business is half of the package here. I?m learning a bit about the family?s real passion: endurance racing in South Africa.A horse will start around the age of four and a half or older. If only four, they can start in 30km rides, but no more than this distance. There ...
More About: Ealing , Appeal

Your Hands, Their Feet
2007-05-23 04:08:00
I always thought farriery was the way to go - variety, good money, physically active - and then concluded equine dentistry was even more appealing. Yes, it was the money that persuaded me, how did you guess? However, I see some pros for farriery in that this business is easier to run on a smaller client base - your horse's feet need doing every 2 months, unlike the teeth which are done annually, calling for more people to use you to be constantly in work.Spending the majority of my short working life on studs, I've viewed many foals born with the most interesting looking legs. Sometimes it's the vet's job to fix problems; others the farrier can fix in various ways.The legs are a focus over the first few months of a foal's life as at this age, things can be adjusted to "encourage" growth in a different direction (correcting/minimising the problem).For example - a foal that toes in - a farrier can rasp a little more off a particular side, encouraging extra growth on this side,...
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Off to South Africa!
2007-05-23 03:46:00
I'm heading off to the airport this afternoon so for those of you browsing through/reading this blog, there will be limited updates over the next month. I am not sure of how much internet access I'll have while over there, so probably won't be posting as often.However, I do have a few pieces half written so may be able to finish these or will get them up ASAP upon returning. They will cover the likes of farriery, polo, hopefully a piece on course designing and online horse games.Catchya!Chris"Here is one little girl who would rather clean a stall than her own room...Here is one little girl who would rather wear chaps than a party dress...Here is one little girl who would rather go to the barn than the mall..."
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Mixing Cattle and Horses
2007-05-14 07:53:00
I was at work last week and sometimes feel rather like a valet parking person... for horses. One of our clients had just finished his ride and I took his horse off him and started to untack while he got the trusty animal some snacks that he'd left in the car.Upon his return, I was amused to once again have someone comment on my age. For a 22 year old, rising 23, it's funny when people question "So, you got a day off school today and wanted to play with some horses, ey?" Where I instruct, some mothers don't consider me looking old enough to drive - I'm gonna having fun when running my property convincing people of my age and experience!I got chatting with the client and he mentioned how he was having a few lessons before heading off on a Cattle Drive coming up very shortly. Curious, I found out from him that it's an annual event that people can take part in for five days at a time.The drive starts in South Australia and works in around four parts, a certain number of people ...
More About: Horses , Horse , Xing

An Abundance of Horse Jobs
2007-05-12 14:43:00
So! I've added a random "quote" generator to the page, listing horse jobs, careers, possibilities working with or in relation to horses. There's 54 in total listed in the coding, so if you think of other job possibilities with horses that you think others should know about, feel free to let me know so I can add them to the coding!
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Invest in the Best
2007-05-11 16:21:00
5 Top Tips to further/establish your equine career.Invest in yourself:If you're looking to improve yourself for a particular field but struggle with the idea of a full time focus on acquiring skills or a piece of paper; consider work and study. For example, I was working on a horse stud and am interested in teaching, so took up a correspondence course for instructing while working. I could do it at my own pace and because it all relates to horses, things I was doing at work (although not directly related to teaching people to ride) were of benefit to me in this study.Many put off furthering their skills/starting in a new area until they can focus solely on this decision and consequently end up not doing anything at all.Invest in others:Make yourself known; get out there. Attend events related to an area you are working or wish to work. It is possible to do so through work, for example I attend horse sales with my job and have received other work through being seen at these sale...

The Value of Planning and Planting
2007-05-10 03:30:00
Many people that are strong influences in my life teach and agree on the value of planning and planting - my parents, pastors at church, people I work with - all of whom are successful people that I look up to.It is so important to (metaphorically speaking) plant a seed - discover your life's desire - and work (plan) on having this come to pass. For me, it's of course my property and reaching people through it and doing what I love.One of the beautiful men I work with up in the country when doing the whole stud thing works on a few different studs as well as running his own 50 acre property. He has commented often on how he wishes he'd planted trees on first purchasing the property over seven years ago. The time has quickly passed and he knows it would have been smart to take the time initially, to see the fruits now.In the middle of a strong drought for us here in Australia, the upkeep of horses is proving to be difficult and very expensive - especially for those utilising th...
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More of the Force
2007-05-05 01:29:00
So I got an email back yesterday from a Senior Sergeant at the New South Wales Mounted Police. Here are her replies to the questions I've sent out:Do you have to be a certain rank as a police officer to become a mounted police officer?To join the Mounted Police you need to have 3 years of general duties policing experience.Do you need horse skills or are these taught?You really need to have some basic horse knowledge and skills to be a successful applicant. And also a good level of fitness as it is quite a physical job riding all day and working with horses. Why did you join the Mounted Police?I joined the Mounted Police along with most of my collegues to combine a love of horses and riding with a worthwhile career in policing. It is a very unique job and I feel priviliged to be a part of this organisation and the continuance of such a historical institution.How much of the job is horse related?All of this occupation is revolved around horses being the riding of and management o...
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A Tooth Fairy Goldmine
2007-05-03 10:51:00
Admittedly, I am terrible with my horse's teeth - I've had him rising 10 years and not had his teeth done once. (Gasp, shock horror!). Initially, it was ignorance and quite possibly still could be, but I've figured as long as he's in good condition and having no problems keeping weight (he's always rather festively plump) that he's chewing and digesting everything alright.Well he had them done for the first time today, along with 23 other horses at one of the riding schools I work at. Apparently they get done this time each year and the same trusty equine dentist comes out with his helper and they get them done in a day.Now, between the two of them they managed 24 horses in 4 hours. For curiosity's sake I enquired about costs - if it's a special visit for just your horse, you're looking at around $110 to have their teeth done. For a number of horses, it's $50. So, in the four hours, they made $1,200.00 between the two of them and this was only from the one riding sch...
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Movies and Novels Igniting the Passion
2007-04-28 10:22:00
There’s nothing quite like a viewing of the Black Stallion or settling in a comfy chair on a rainy afternoon and delving into the likes of the Silver Brumby or the classic Black Beauty. And really, this is where the passion for horses starts for many.It’s been a very interesting week – working at one of the riding schools and ending up with new instructors and therefore learning even more while in the saddle. This has been topped off by a weekend of teaching today and a gymkhana tomorrow and Monday I’m going to another Thoroughbred Sale. And in less than four weeks time, South Africa! Guess I can’t complain about things being boring ;)I had some friends over last night and yesterday morning in anticipation of wanting to eat lots of junk, I drove down to the local IGA store to stock up on the essentials – chocolate, icecream and Pringles. Where could you go wrong? My mistake – parking right in front of the Opp Shop next door to the IGA.Now I keep telling myself th...
More About: Movies , Novels , Passion , Pass , Sion

Straight to the Source
2007-04-19 14:18:00
And my current source? This week, the force. Mounted Police if you want to get down to specifics.I've sent out a request to the London, Royal Canadian, New South Wales and Victoria Mounted Police to see if they'd answer a half dozen questions or so for me. I'm waiting on the answers from Canada as they agreed to answer my questions but as yet haven't heard back from London or NSW.A Victorian Sergeant was kind enough to answer them and promptly returned his replies:Do you have to be a certain rank as a police officer to become a mounted police officer?No a constable can apply but only after they have completed their probationary period of 2 yearsDo you need horse skills or are these taught?Yes you do require horse skills as the positions available are highly sought after and for safety reasons you have to be competent on a horse before attempting to become a member of the Mounted Police.Why did you join the Mounted Police?I grew up with horses and I wanted to use my experience...
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Equine Dentistry
2007-04-16 13:59:00
I have a mate who’s considered pursuing this career path with horses – in between stud work, polocrosse and farriery. He’s mentioned that to get into training in Australia can be difficult as not many are taken in each year to receive formal training. Still, I’d never really followed up possibilities or thought about this profession. Have found a few courses and listed information below.Anatomy has always interested me and suddenly a 3 month course in New Zealand seems a perfect way to focus on that interest and visit a country I really want to see.New Zealand:3 Month course, limited places.Based in Pukekohe in the Franklin District, 50kms south of Auckland City Centre, NZ., accommodation provided. Application form on site.Cost: NZ$20,000 (Aus$17,800 / USD$14,800 - converted at xe.com)http://www.equinedentistryschool.c o.nz/Idaho, USA:2 day – 2 week courses. Application form on site.Cost: USD$400 - $4,400http://www.equinedentalacademy.com/ The American School of Equine ...
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Educating Self with a First Class Teacher...
2007-04-16 07:28:00
...your horse.It's amazing all the different theories, exercises, recipes and discplines that are covered in horse-related books these days. You can learn a lot from them, granted; but it just doesn't beat the hands on experience of having your own horse.I had one of the girls at work asking me the other week about the costs of owning a horse and have concluded that in Victoria, Australia, $5000 would be a good amount to save up in order to be equipped for 12 months of horse related expenses.Farrier - the horse's feet need to be done every 6-8 weeks. Cost around $50; this can be cheaper (around $25) if done with other horses.Food - 25kg bag of oaten chaff, lucerne chaff and bag of pellets. Cost around $80; if the horse needed to be fed; this would last for 2 months, based on a pony being fed at least four times a weekAgistment - $50 weekly; can be more expensive than this or a lot cheaper, but a reasonable rate to expect - should come with somewhere decent to ride.Extras to c...
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Consider yourself a good horse person?
2007-04-13 13:24:00
...and have a heart for helping others?It's amazing how you end up in the right place at the right time for the important things. I meet up with some gorgeous friends Thursday mornings as part of a prayer group from 7-9am and this Thursday just passed (when I was more than happy to stay in bed rather than go out!) I dragged myself out of bed to catch up with these friends and spend some quality time.The partner of one of the girls' mum's was down for a visit from Darwin (Australia) and as he asked about what we each did with ourselves, talk quickly turned to horses as I mentioned what I do.Turns out the guy - Andy - is on the lookout for 'horsepeople' who also have a heart for helping others from troubled backgrounds. His passion in life is focused on Tiwi College.I'm still reading up on all this but from what I gather:- Bathurst and Melville Islands (the Tiwi Islands) were proclaimed an Aboriginal Reserve on the 4th of December 1912- The total land area is almost 780,000 he...
More About: Good , Side , Person , Cons , Horse

Unique Opportunity - Level One Instructing
2007-04-07 14:12:00
Got some mail from the Equestrian Federation of Australia the other day for those enrolled in their Level 1. Now I've been really slack and not read over it yet but thought I'd post an ad that came with it. This is the sort of situation that I'd take up if I wasn't doing seasonal work! Maybe those interested in competing/teaching should consider possibilities like this:Provided with shared accommodation and pool on 26 acre Equestrian based property; paddock agistment for 1 horse; 3 lessons a week; attendance at workshops for Introductory/Level One Coach trainees - conducted by resident Coach Educator - all for the price of a normal rental.Other possibilities include - transport to local competitions; educated horses to learn on; experience in coaching, grooming at shows, etc; help in work placement.ALL available on flexible part time basis (for those of you in full/part time employment or studying).Candidates NEED - no previous experience in industry; just keen to learn and a...
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Equine Photography
2007-04-03 05:05:00
When I think horse photos, the main name that comes to mind for me is Bob Langrish. Every year for the past decade or more I have been given a horse calendar as part of a Christmas present and every year, the photos have been by this photographer.Have just stumbled across another who has some brilliant works - Robert Vavra.*These pictures from the Robert Vavra site and copyright to him.Horse Photography is another avenue that could be explored as a possible career relating to horses. I'm not aware of a particular course relating to learning how to specifically photograph horses; but am sure there are many animal or live subject courses focusing on photographing moving creatures.If you're already taking shots, perhaps you haven't considered the possibility of having these published, and why not do so online? There are sites out there that take in people's photos and publish them in catalogs/books that are sold online. They can also be publicised on popular sites and possibly ...
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Time is Short, Use it.
2007-04-01 12:53:00
I was chatting with a few of the girls down at horseriding over the past week and realised a few things that could help those pursuing a lifetime of horses.Taking Advantage of Hemispheres:One is doing year twelve with the aim to become an Equine Vet. She commented on how the study is long (5 years) and the pay not so appealing initially. Looking at the midterm (say 10 years out of highschool - which moves quicker than you realise!) it is possible to make your input of 5 years at uni and the first few years out turn into a job you love, decent income and still some time to enjoy yourself!On the studs I frequent there's a vet that works the breeding season here in Australia. In their mid to late twenties they haven't been out of study all that long, but in a short time (because they KNOW where they want to specialise), they have taken advantage of the two hemispheres. Our breeding season (August 1 - December 31st) they spend in Australia before soaring over to Ireland for the st...
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Qualifications Needed to Own a Horse Stud
2007-03-31 08:42:00
So I don't believe there's any rule about this one... one of my bosses bought a stud after managing his own mechanic shop. Another grew up on the property and took over after his dad. I think anyone with the money or interest can manage this one; whether or not they have any pieces of paper to say they know a thing or two about horses.Just thought I'd put a piece up here cause it's a topic or phrase that was searched upon and resulted in someone visiting this blog.The above is exactly what I want to do with my life - own my own horse property and breed horses (plus lots of other things!). Currently I have three pieces of paper - all pretty much in the same area. Certificate II in Horse Studies (12 month course gained at 17 years of age); Diploma of Horse Studies (2 year course gained at 20 years of age) and a Certificate of Merit from the Irish National Stud (6 month course gained at 21 years of age).I don't believe any of these are NEEDED to own or run a horse stud. Howeve...
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Job available in North East Victoria on TB stud.
2007-03-19 08:47:00
Hello out there! Anyone interested in a job? Was chatting to a previous boss not too long ago who is looking for at least one person to fill in a permanent position at a Thoroughbred stud.Don't think TB experience is necessary, but definitely horse experience. In the middle of weaning foals currently, breeding season starts August 1 and Yearlings from December. Accomodation available on the property and about 5 mins from town.I worked here for nine months, learnt lots and gained lots of sale experience through many yearling preps. For the breeding enthusiast they are a decent sized stud with many mares going through the property to foal down and be bred and they have their own stallions.If interested get in contact with me via darquette_@hotmail.com or leave a comment with a way to contact you.Chris"You Know You're A Horse Person When... you try to get by someone in a restricted space and instead of saying "excuse me" to him/her, you cluck at them instead."
More About: East , North , Victoria , Tori , Victor