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ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED MANAGEMENT (HORSES) VBS001

Duration (approx) 900 hours
Qualification Advanced Certificate
Work in the Equine Industry - Increase your knowledge, get a job or get a promotion!

A course designed to equip students with a range of necessary management and horse care skills. Students undertake core studies in marketing and business operations combined with three stream units in horse care, plus two elective units of study.

Topics covered include: horse psychology & handling, buying a horse, conformation, the digestive system, principles of feeding and watering, pasture management, grooming, shoeing, exercise and conditioning, stable design and general management. Coupled with a workplace project ensures that this comprehensive qualification is to a standard required in the horse industry.

Accredited by the International Accreditation and Recognition Council - IARC

This course provides a useful study option for people in the horse industry who wish to extend their knowledge base and gain an industry relevant qualification”  M. Cullen - (Tutor) Dip. Land Care and Natural Resources, A.D. Stock and Meat Inspection, B. Teaching, B. General Studies

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Many people dream of working in the equine industry.

DO YOU? Well here is your chance of improving your knowledge and skills in the equine industry!
  • Working with horses includes a wide range of activities, such as riding instructor, yard manager, groom, farrier, equine veterinary nurse, equine veterinarian, stable owner, equine writing, design and sale of equine products, equine marketing and more.
  • The opportunities for working within the equine industry are massive.
  • Working with horses can involve long hours of physically demanding work and sometimes for low pay.
  • BUT increasing your knowledge and training within the equine industry will improve your job opportunities, career opportunities and promotional opportunities.
  • This course is an excellent opportunity to increase your knowledge and training, whilst continuing to work.
  • Studying this course enables you to study flexibly in your own time WITH support from our excellent tutors!
  • Study 700 hours of theory that looks at management, communication, horse care, business operations and marketing.
  • You will also study 200 hours of workplace related studies by completing research, work experience or a problem based project. This will be based on the theory you have covered in the other modules and expand and develop that knowledge. This real world research and work experience also increases your training and practical experience, still in a flexible learning situation.
 
COURSE STRUCTURE
 
Core Modules These modules provide foundation knowledge for the Advanced Certificate in Applied Management (Horses).

Business Operations VBS006

Management VBS105

Marketing Foundations VBS109

Office Practices VBS102

Stream Modules Studied after the core modules, stream modules cover more specific or niche subjects.

Horse Care I BAG102

Horse Care II BAG204

Horse Care III BAG302

Elective Modules In addition to the core modules, students study any 2 of the following 4 modules.

Research Project I BGN102

Workshop I BGN103

Research Project II BGN201

Workshop II BGN203
EXAMS

* A separate exam must be completed for each of the seven core and stream modules.
* Exams can be sat anywhere in the world.
* The enrolment fee does not include exam fees. An exam fee is paid prior to sitting each exam.
 
 
 
Starting an Equine Career (or Business)
 
 
Some people start with experience, learning to ride or having a pony as a child. Others begin with studies; undertaking formal studies (eg. a certificate, diploma or higher qualification).
 
It does not matter a great deal which comes first - but to realize your full potential, you will eventually need both learning that comes through experience and a different type of learning that comes through study.
 
Experience may start very informally, perhaps caring for pets at home, taking up a hobby (e.g. bird watching), or having a family that is involved with animals (e.g. growing up on a farm). Alternatively, it may start with a job (e.g. working in a pet shop or farm), or volunteering (e.g. for an animal charity).
 
Study may start with anything from a short course or vocational certificate through to a university degree.

Whether you start with experience or study - the value of either is the same. The greatest benefit is “learning”, and the second greatest benefit is being seen to have learned. Every time you learn new things about animals, your capacity to work with them improves. When an employer or client sees an indication that you have relevant knowledge, they are more inclined to employ you.

Getting qualifications may be of value, but in the grand scheme of things, your career is likely to be far more affected by your learning than by your qualifications.
 
In reality, most graduates end up working in disciplines other than those they studied, partly because opportunities they anticipate do not arise at the time, or in the place, they hoped for - but also because their interests and motivations change.
 
This should not dissuade you from studying though, but it should make you understand that a “broad based course” which teaches general skills in your areas of interest, will be more useful in the long term, than what a highly specialised course would be.
 
Learning horse husbandry and biology is and important foundation; but alone not a ticket to a career with animals, but it is a foundation for being successful in all sorts of careers. Most people that start out on a career path will usually divert from their original goals as time moves on. This is because: 
  • The job they have in mind when they start may simply not exist by the time they are trained and experienced enough to do that job.
  • Their perception of what a job would be like changes from fantasy to reality, as they study, gain experience, learn, and hence develop a proper awareness of that job.
  • The opportunities they anticipated never present - but more attractive opportunities arise that were never anticipated.
  • Priorities change; when a person starts studying and gaining experience, for instance; earning money might change to be a higher or lower priority.
 
 
Why Study the Course?
This is a great course to choose, if you want to learn about the subject not only now; but keep
developing your knowledge, understanding and opportunities within the field of study, after you
complete the course. Studying should not only develop your intelligence and knowledge; but also:
  • Build networking (develop contacts within an industry)
  • Improve your ability to communicate with colleagues
  • Develop problem solving skills
  • Expand awareness and develop creativity
  • Develop attributes that set you apart from others in your industry
  • Motivate you, build confidence, and more

According to some authorities, success is actually only affected about 20% by your knowledge and intelligence.

Our school works at helping you in a holistic way, to develop all of the things
mentioned above, in a way that relates to the discipline you are studying; and
in this way, giving you the capacity to apply yourself to unanticipated problems,
to understand new information as it emerges, to see and seize on new opportunities
as they reveal themselves, and to continue to grow your abilities within your discipline
as you progress through life after study.

In a world that is changing faster all the time; it is difficult to even be certain how this industry
might change between the start of your course, and the time you finish studying.
With this in mind; any course that is to have long term value in today's world, must develop
broad generic skills (as above). This approach to education is not unique to ACS, but it is
an approach tested, proven and adopted in our courses; and an approach that is also used
by some of the most successful, cutting edge universities and colleges around the world.
 
  • Learn Equine Management
  • Increase your knowledge of horse care.
  • Beyond that increase your knowledge of management, business operations and marketing.
  • Improve your career and job prospects in the equine industry.
 
  

 

 

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Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

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Meet some of our academics

Alison Pearce (general)P.G.Cert. Ed., M.Ecotourism, S.Sc. (Hons). Alison has held many positions including: University Lecturer, Writer, Quality Assurance Manager, Research Technician, Vet Nurse and stockwoman. Over 30 years industry experience, mostly in Australia and the UK.. Alison originally graduated with an honors degree in science from university and beyond that has completed post graduate qualifications in education and eco-tourism. She has managed veterinary operating theatre, responsible for animal anaesthesia, instrument preparation, and assistance with surgical techniques and procedures.
Dr. Gareth PearceGraduated from the University of Nottingham in 1982 with a B.Sc.(Hons) in Animal Science. Between 82 and 85 worked as Research Assistant and Demonstator in Animal Science at the University of Leeds. Over more than 30 years he has furthered his studies, obtaining eight significant university qualifications including degrees in Veterinary Science, Wildlife Conservation and Animal Behaviour. Gareth has significant teaching experience around the world as a faculty member at eight different universities including Associate Professor at Murdoch University and Director of Studies in Veterinary Science at Cambridge University. He has over 100 prestigious research papers published, and enjoys an outstanding international reputation in the fields of animal and veterinary science.
Cheryl McLardyA scientist, teacher, writer and animal scientist, with more than 20 years experience including: Sports Horse Stud Groom, Stable Manager, Yard Manager, Equine industrial Training Manager, FE Distance Learning Manager. Cheryl has travelled widely, working in England, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand; and is now based in Scotland. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons), Higher National Diploma in Horse Management, and a City and Guilds Teaching Certificate.
Peter Douglas Over 50 years experience in Agriculture and wildlife management. Former university lecturer, Wildlife park manager, Animal breeder, Equestrian. Peter has both wide ranging experience in animal science, farming and tourism management, and continues to apply that knowledge both through his work with ACS, and beyond.


Check out our eBooks

Animal HealthUnderstand animal health issues, diseases and how identify and manage illnesses and injuries. Animals can become sick for many different reasons -diseases caused by infections, injuries, poisoning, genetic disorders, poor nutrition and other things.
Animal PsychologyExplore how animals think and comare how this differs between different animals (and humans)
Caring for DogsA book for both students and dog owners. This book has been designed to complement our dog care and pet care courses; but also to provide a sound foundation for choosing the right breed, and caring for a dog whether as a pet, or a working animal. Contents cover Breeds, Creating a healthy home for dogs, legal issues, dog biology, recognising poor health, parasites, illnesses, nutrition, reproduction, dog psychology, behavioural development, training tips, behaviour problems, grooming, working in the dog industry, and more.
Horse CareThis book is an accumulation of information from biology, agricultural science and veterinary medicine. It looks to explore and explain the fundamentals of appropriate horse care aims and techniques. In doing so it will consider horsemanship as a combination of art and science.