FREE Equine Business 101 Course for a Limited Time!

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New Equine Facility Management Certificate offered by Equine Guelph

Horses and riders on trail ride
The new Equine Facility Management Certificate, by Equine Guelph is ready to help horse professionals begin their journey toward running a successful business. Photo credit: Robyn Freer, Foxwood Farm

Nothing compares to being greeted with nickers every morning, watching the herd peacefully graze, and sharing the strong horse/human bond with your customers.  Equine industry pros are a passionate and hard-working bunch, who consider themselves lucky to earn a living doing what they love.  Sadly, passion can quickly turn into despair for entrepreneurs attempting to start up their stable if business acumen is lacking.  Equine Guelph is pleased to announce the Equine Facility Management Certificate, comprised of three short online courses on TheHorsePortal.ca including the new Equine Business 101 course which will be offered FREE for three months (June 21 – Sept 20, 2021)!

Equine Business 101 offers a starting point for those looking into the possibility of running their own facility or taking your business to the next level.  It provides tips on developing business and marketing plans and explains how to avoid some of the common pitfalls horse business operators face.  Inspirational and cautionary tales will be shared by pathfinders relaying their true life stories of the trials and tribulations of starting their equine businesses.  They will describe choices that were key to their success and decisions they would reconsider with the benefit of hindsight.

Students will be part of a community, sharing ideas and helpful tips with peers through  discussion boards. Continued access to discussion boards will be available even after students complete the course!

“This new on-demand offering arose out of an abundance of interest to better understand the business of managing and/or starting an equine facility,” says Equine Guelph director, Gayle Ecker.  “The objective is to provide some guidance for those that are interested in getting into the business or are looking to improve their existing businesses.  Equine Guelph has been providing online educational pathways for horse industry professionals since 2003.”

Statistically, a high number of equine businesses do not succeed beyond their first few years.  The goal of the Equine Business 101 course is to put you on a path to beat those odds.  Throughout the course, you will be provided with some basic information to guide you in the creation of your plan to run a successful equine facility. 

Those who are contemplating opening a horse business for lessons, boarding or training will benefit greatly from the information provided in the Equine Business 101 course including: risk management, value propositions and creating that all important business plan!  Current facility owners and managers looking to rebrand and grow the business will also pick up some great marketing and event planning tips.

Coach gives student high five
Photo credit: Theresa Rondeau Vuk

Students completing the following three courses short courses will be eligible for the new Equine Facility Management Certificate:

  • Horse Care & Welfare (2 wks.) 
  • Sickness Prevention in Horses (2 wks.) 
  • Equine Business 101 (self-paced, 20- 30 hours)

Future stable workers applying for jobs in the equine industry will stand out amongst other candidates if they have acquired the Equine Facility Management Certificate.  They will enter the industry armed with evidenced-based knowledge on biosecurity and stable management practices that support optimal horse health and welfare.

This program is funded in part through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Program (the Partnership), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Ontario Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Rural Affairs assists in the delivery of the Partnership in Ontario.

Collaborating partners include Grand River Agricultural Society, The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario, Ontario Racing, Ontario Equestrian and Standardbred Canada. Other industry partners include: AgCareers, Central Ontario Standardbred Association, Ontario Harness Horse Association and Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc.

Get started on your Equine Facility Management Certificate.  Sign up for the new Equine Business 101 FREE online short course today!  Register at TheHorsePortal.ca.