Advanced Certificate in Horsemanship and Stud Management
| Duration: | Two years |
|---|---|
| Awarding Body: | FETAC |
| Course Code: | CHTXX / CHBTS / CHBTE |
| Progression: | Higher Education Links Scheme to the Higher Certificate in Business Studies in Equine Studies |
| Location: | Kildalton College |
| Method of application: | Direct to Kildalton College |
| Maintenance Grant: | Teagasc Grant Scheme (not means tested) |
Course Aim
This two year course aims to provide students with:
- Knowledge and skills relating to the sport horse and adding value to young horses
- Qualification for employment opportunities in the industry including stud farms, training yards and equestrian centres
- Progression and articulation options to higher level courses.
Location
The course is offered at Kildalton College, Piltown, Co Kilkenny.
Entry Requirements and Application Procedures
There is no minimum educational entry requirements but students who have completed the Leaving Certificate are likely to benefit most from the course. Applicants must be over 17 years on 1 January following entry to the course. Applications should be made directly to Kildalton College by 1 June.
Year One
First year consists of 32 weeks of course work at Kildalton College. Students have the option of specialising in equitation or stud operations. During this time students develop knowledge and skills in:
- Young horses evaluation
- Riding horses
- Breeding foals of high genetic merit
- Managing mares and young horses
Students spend a considerable amount of time developing their riding skills. They also receive training in breeding, stud management, young horse management, equine nutrition, grassland management, horse health, business management and marketing.
On successful completion of the first year programme students are awarded the FETAC Level 5 Certificate in Horse Breeding and Training. (This does not meet the training requirements for Stamp Duty Exemption or for Installation Aid).
Students with this Level 5 award may apply, via the Higher Education Links Scheme, for the Higher Certificate in Equine Studies (AL025) at Athlone Institute of Technology.
Year Two
This is a follow on from the year one course. It is a one year programme designed to equip people to find employment in responsible positions in the sport horse industry or to start their own business. Students opt for one of the two specialisms - stud management or equitation.
Stud Management - September to January is spent at Kildalton College for course work on business management, horse nutrition and horse breeding. From January to May students spend 20 weeks on paid placement on approved stud farms to develop proficiency in stud management skills. Successful students are awarded the FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Stud Management.
Equitation - Students spend 30 weeks at Kildalton College developing their riding and horse management skills, breaking three and four year olds, training young horses for sales and competitions and learning to teach/coach. Students are encouraged to use this course as training towards the EFI and British Horse Society Instructors qualifications.
On successful completion of the year two programme students are awarded the FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horsemanship
Both the Stud and Horsemanship Awards meet the training requirement for Stamp Duty exemption and for Installatin Aid.
