This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification describes the skills and knowledge required to work safely in a range of skilled roles in industries involving horses, including stable hand, stud hand, groom, farm hand and rider. These workers may perform ridden and non-ridden horse exercise and prepare horses for events.
Individuals in these roles perform a range of horse care tasks under broad direction which involve discretion and judgement in handling, housing, feeding, routine health care and exercising horses. They take responsibility for their own work, carry out assigned tasks, coordinate processes and tasks, work to schedules, solve problems and comply with animal welfare requirements. Workplaces may include agistment centres, horse yards, stables, event venues, breeding studs, riding centres, livestock sites, equine veterinary facilities and horse education facilities.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Government funding is not available for this course.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
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On-the-job training
- Apprenticeships and traineeships are not available for this course.
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Qualification only:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Handle horses safely | Core |
| Implement a horse health program | Core |
| Load and unload horses | Core |
| Manage personal health and fitness for working with horses | Core |
| Prepare horses for presentation at an event | Core |
| Provide first aid and emergency care for horses or other equines | Core |
| Provide routine care for horses | Core |
| Work safely in equine workplaces | Core |
| Advise on horse nutritional needs | Elective |
| Apply environmentally sustainable work practices | Elective |
| Apply knowledge of horse behaviour | Elective |
| Assess suitability of horses for specific uses | Elective |
| Assess the welfare status of an animal | Elective |
| Carry out basic hoof care procedures | Elective |
| Carry out natural mare mating procedures | Elective |
| Carry out procedures for foaling down mares | Elective |
| Communicate effectively with clients and team members | Elective |
| Contribute to safety at incidents involving large animals | Elective |
| Coordinate business resources | Elective |
| Determine nutritional requirements for sport or recreational horses | Elective |
| Develop riding skills for exercising horses | Elective |
| Educate horses in initial handling | Elective |
| Establish pastures and crops for livestock production | Elective |
| Exercise and school horses | Elective |
| Follow equine biosecurity and infection control procedures | Elective |
| Handle horses safely | Elective |
| Handle young horses | Elective |
| Implement property improvement, construction and repair | Elective |
| Interpret and address horse behaviour and welfare | Elective |
| Introduce horses to lunge exercise | Elective |
| Lead team effectiveness | Elective |
| Lunge educated horses | Elective |
| Maintain and monitor horse health | Elective |
| Manage horses for stock work | Elective |
| Manage horses to meet sport event requirements | Elective |
| Manage selection of horse for handler, rider or driver | Elective |
| Manage selection of horse for new or inexperienced handler, rider or driver | Elective |
| Operate quad bikes | Elective |
| Operate side by side utility vehicles | Elective |
| Operate tractors | Elective |
| Participate in an incident involving large animals | Elective |
| Perform basic driving tasks | Elective |
| Perform horse riding skills at walk, trot and canter | Elective |
| Perform horse riding skills at walk, trot and canter | Elective |
| Perform technical large animal rescue | Elective |
| Plan and construct an electric fence | Elective |
| Plan and construct conventional fencing | Elective |
| Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases | Elective |
| Prepare and care for horses to perform at events | Elective |
| Process and maintain workplace information | Elective |
| Provide First Aid | Elective |
| Provide non-riding exercise to horses | Elective |
| Provide service to customers | Elective |
| Provide work skill instruction | Elective |
| Relate musculoskeletal system to horse conformation and movement | Elective |
| Replace equine shoes as an emergency measure | Elective |
| Ride educated horses to carry out basic stock work | Elective |
| Train, care for and ride horses for stock work | Elective |
| Transport and store chemicals | Elective |
| Transport horses using a road vehicle | Elective |
| Use manual techniques to safely move large animals | Elective |
| Work in a team | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Horse Care sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Horse Trainer
ANZSCO 361112
Horse Trainers prepare horses for riding, breeding, racing, work, show or competitions.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Other Animal Attendant and Trainer
ANZSCO 361199
Other Animal Attendants and Trainers includes jobs like Crutching Contractor, and Muleser.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Stablehand
ANZSCO 841516
Stablehands assist with handling of horses and maintaining and cleaning stables.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education
Training providers delivering Certificate III in Horse Care
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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Australian Equine Institute (RTO code 90719)
Contact this provider
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Brisbane College of Australia (RTO code 31315)
Contact this provider
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Clifton State High School (RTO code 30265)
Contact this provider
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Halo Nation Training Pty Ltd (RTO code 32485)
Contact this provider
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Tocal College (RTO code 91166)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.