Hands-on courses for hands-on people

Whether you have grown up around horses or you are looking to get into the industry, there are many practical courses on offer all over Ireland. Each course has its own unique focus so it is worth researching what each course has to offer to find the best fit for you.

The following list gives a brief overview of some practical equine courses in Ireland.

The Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) offer a number of different courses from their campus at the Curragh. Their exercise rider course is the only dedicated training available to aspiring exercise riders in Ireland.

The trainee jockey course is a fully funded 42-week residential programme. Successful students receive a QQI Level 4 major award. This course prepares riders for a full-time job as an exercise rider or a career as a jockey.

RACE also offer courses in equine transport, horsemanship and rider improvement.

The Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding course aims to educate young people for a career in the thoroughbred industry. Many graduates now have prominent positions in stud farms throughout the world, racehorse training and bloodstock sales.

The training received is of a practical nature and is designed to provide students with a hands-on approach to every aspect of horse breeding. The course begins in January each year and runs for six months. Applications for the 2021 course close 2 October 2020.

Kildalton College offers QQI Level 5 and 6 equine courses in horsemanship and stud management. With some 50 horses available for practical work, equine students get excellent training in stable management, handling, care of horses, and horse riding.

Grennan College Equestrian Centre offer students the opportunity to gain hands-on practical experience while getting a level 5 or 6 horsemanship qualification.

The college affords students the opportunity to complete their British Horse Society (BHS) exams Stages 1, 2 and 3, Foundation Coach and Stage 3 Teach, which then leads on to the Coach in Complete Horsemanship, a QQI Level 5 award in horsemanship.

The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) offer a range of equine courses from their campus in Enniskillen. Courses include farrier upskilling, Level 2 in equine care right up to a BSc (Hons) degree in equine management.

The new QQI Level 6 equestrian stable manager traineeship is a full-time, one-year programme, offered by MCLETB Training Centre Ballina, in partnership with Gill Equestrian. Trainees will learn skills in riding, stable and yard supervision, equine nutrition, anatomy and physiology, horse conformation and HGV driving.