Equine

Horse Racing Alberta and Olds College introduce the new “Professional Racetrack Groom” Course!  The Professional Racetrack Groom Course is a “Learn and Earn” concept program that will give you the confidence and skill to become a professional licensed Groom at Alberta Horse Racing Tracks! This unique program has a blended approach that will allow you to study online, learn from and practice your skill with industry professional instructors, all while allowing you to earn a wage working in the industry! You will acquire the skills you need to provide intensive professional care to elite race horses. With support from Horse Racing Alberta and industry professionals you will receive your hands on training at the new Century Mile Racetrack in Nisku Alberta.

This course is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to obtain practical knowledge and acquire some of the hands-on skills necessary to successfully use artificial insemination and transported cooled semen to breed horses on their farms.

There will be classroom theory components, demonstrations, and hands-on learning sessions where students will gain exposure to the most current “best practices” of artificial insemination and transported cooled semen.

This course will benefit the new horse breeder, those looking for ideas to update and improve their breeding practices, and those who wish to utilize artificial insemination and transported cooled semen in their breeding program. Semen collection will be demonstrated and students will acquire knowledge required to appropriately handle semen for artificial insemination and for transported cooled semen. This course is taught by Dr. Marion Anderson of Olds College.

Horse owners know how important hoof care is. You also know it can be expensive and time consuming. This course will help save you time and money.

During this 2 1/2 day hands-on course, you will learn:

• Hoof anatomy
• The basics of hoof care
• How to treat minor hoof problems
• When to call the farrier

You will practice trimming in a supervised setting. If you would like to put your newly acquired knowledge to use immediately, you have the opportunity to bring your own horses on the last day of the course; this way you can trim your horses for the first time with assistance & guidance from your instructor.

If you have taken the Horse Hoof Care and Trimming course and you are looking for a more experience getting under the live horse then this could be the ideal course for you.  We are limiting the number of spots in this class that will maximize your trimming time and coaching.

This online comprehensive equine course will delve into several aspects of the horse. Activities and forums will allow you to network with others and will introduce you to different breeds, insight into horse behaviors, nutrition, health care and much more.   

This very popular and practical course will increase your confidence when caring for the health & well being of your horse. Topics include:

• The why, when, and where to provide vaccinations
• Parasite control options to maintain a healthy horse
• Identifying the difference between a healthy horse and a sick horse
• First aid materials and application
• What to do until the vet arrives
• Basic stages of wound care
• Medications
• Managing the injured horse
• Principles of applying bandages

The workshop is taught by Sherry Quintillo and utilizes both theory-based knowledge training and hands-on massage for your horse. This course will give horse owners the ability to:

• Better understand what the body language of your horse is telling you about their comfort level
• Recognize muscle soreness or dysfunction
• Provide comfort for sore/stiff muscles and related soft tissue stress
• Improve the ability of your horse to return to work sooner after injury or exertion
• Recognize when it is time to contact your equine health professional

Some prior knowledge of equine anatomy will assist learners to gain the maximum knowledge & benefit from this course, however it is not required.

This dynamic and interactive program is unique to Canada, and will take your horsemanship to the next level if you are interested in a career in the racing industry. We provide hands on learning using race horses as your text books. You will be taught to prepare and manage yourself as an entrepreneur with race horses as your business. The course uses standardized racing industry equipment, procedures, and on-site practical experience to give you the additional riding skills and knowledge you require to become a certified Exercise Rider.

No horse experience necessary. If a career with horses in an exciting, fast paced and high profile industry sounds appealing, then the Race Horse Groom Training Certificate might be right for you. The relationship between the horse and groom is by far the closest in the industry because grooms provide the daily care and attention to these prized equine athletes. Keeping their charges both physically and mentally happy provides unlimited job satisfaction.

Offering full-time studies in Equine Science, including: