Home >Careers & Qualifications >Agriculture & Rural Services >Horses
Overview
This includes farriery and horse breeding.
The horse breeding industry is about the care, mating, raising, marketing and management of horses. Horses are supplied for both harness and thoroughbred racing, equestrian and Olympic performance competition, the show ring, riding for pleasure, pony clubs, and working horse industries including stock horse, rodeo and campdrafting. Horse breeding is carried out in all states and territories of Australia
Do you want to work in an exciting, challenging industry that involves caring for and handling horses with extensive out-of-doors work? The horse breeding industry may be for you.
The Australian horse breeding industry is large by world standards and covers the racing, industry, equestrian sports, riding clubs, working horses and stock horses. The industry requires skilled workers to feed, water and care for horses, supervisors to oversee the operations of a stud, and managers to run business operations.
Because of the seasonal nature of work in the industry, exciting opportunities are rapidly expanding for workers in the northern hemisphere during the Australian off season.
The type of work carried out on a horse breeding property has been divided into 6 levels. These levels also relate to training and qualifications.
The titles for those who work at these levels are:
| Level | Job Role | Recommended qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | Stud H | Certificate II in Agriculture (Horse Breeding) |
| Level 3 | Stud Groom | Certificate III in Agriculture (Horse Breeding) |
| Level 4 | Stud Supervisor | Certificate IV in Agriculture (Horse Breeding) |
| Level 5 | Stud Manager | Diploma of Agriculture (Horse Breeding) |
Level 2 – Senior Stud Hand
A senior stud hand is likely to be involved in a wide range of tasks, working under only limited supervision.
Work undertaken as a senior stud hand includes:
- caring for young horses
- carrying out daily horse routines
- caring for foals
- operating ride-on property vehicles and tractors
- undertaking basic fencing operations
- maintaining farm improvements
There are a number of ways to get work as a senior stud hand. Many senior stud hands begin working on a property as stud hands. Once they develop their skills and knowledge, they can undertake the role of a senior stud hand.
With a horse breeding traineeship, you will start training as a stud hand before moving to work as a senior stud hand. Individuals with general agricultural experience are often able to obtain work as senior studs hand in the horse breeding industry on a casual basis.
The national qualification available for senior stud hands that have either undertaken formal training or learnt their skills on the job is the Certificate II in Agriculture (Horse Breeding).
Priority skills areas for working as a senior stud hand include workplace health and safety, caring for foals and young horses, property maintenance and machinery operation.
Level 3 – Stud Groom
A stud groom is an experienced farmhand and is likely to be involved in co-ordinating a wide range of horse breeding activities.
Work undertaken as a stud groom includes:
- caring for mares at foaling o carrying out mare mating procedures
- caring for broodmares
- handling and caring for stallions
- carrying out basic hoof care procedures and dentition
- selecting horses for breeding
- establishing and conserving pastures and crops
There are a number of ways to get work as a stud groom.
Many senior grooms begin working on a property as stud hands. Once they develop their skills and knowledge, they can undertake the role of a senior groom.
With a Level 3 horse breeding traineeship, you will start training as a stud hand before moving on to work as a stud groom. Individuals with extensive horse experience are also often able to work as stud grooms.
The national qualification available for a stud groom is the Certificate III in Agriculture (Horse Breeding).
Priority skills areas for working as a stud groom include workplace health and safety, caring for broodmares and mares at foaling, carrying out mare mating procedures, and handling and caring for stallions.
Level 4 – Stud Supervisor
A stud supervisor has responsibility for a number of workers and a range of horse breeding activities.
Work undertaken as a stud supervisor includes:
- carrying out stud stable management duties
- Msupporting artificial insemination procedures
- preventing and treating equine injury and disease
- supervising and training staff
- budgeting for farm production
There are a number of ways to get work as a stud supervisor.
Many stud supervisors begin working on a horse breeding property as stud hands. Others may have completed a horse breeding traineeship.
The promotion of a stud groom to a stud supervisor occurs when the person shows that they can take responsibility for breeding operations and supervise the activities of other staff.
The national qualification available for stud supervisors who have either undertaken formal training or learnt their skills on the job is the Certificate IV in Agriculture (Horse Breeding).
Priority skills areas for working as a stud supervisor include carrying out stud stable management duties, supporting artificial insemination procedures, preventing and treating equine injury and disease and supervising and training staff.
Level 5 – Stud Manager
A stud manager is likely to have significant responsibilities in managing horse breeding activities.
These responsibilities include:
- managing livestock production
- managing physical and natural resources
- selecting, maintaining and operating machinery
- monitoring and evaluating business performance
- rural business planning
- administering the business
- supporting the marketing of livestock
Stud managers achieve their position when they have shown that they can successfully manage horse breeding operations as a business. Often they have worked as stud hands, stud grooms and stud supervisors and have a good knowledge of and experience with horse breeding operations.
The national qualification available for stud managers who have either undertaken formal training or learnt their skills on the job is the Diploma in Agriculture (Horse Breeding).
Specialist rural business management training programs are available on a full-time or part-time basis in most states, or by open learning
Priority skills areas for working as a stud manager include business administration, specialist knowledge of plants, horticultural products and treatments, staff management and training, and preparing budgets and financial reports.