Hands On Horse Care

Learn all about :

• Handling Horses
• Horse First Aid
• Dental care for horses
• Temperatures & Respiratory rates
• Vital signs
• Treatment of colic
• Understanding heart rates
• Mixing feed rations
• Understanding additives
• Horse massage (Equissage)
• Basic shoeing and hoof care
• Intramuscular injections
• Worm drenching
• Tacking up
• Participation in race meetings
• Grooming / skin diseases

Delivered by Accredited trainers, Veterinarians, Farriers, Equine Dentists, and Equine Nutritionists .

Gippsland Harness Training Centre

Established in 1997, the Gippsland Harness Training Centre located at Logan Park, Warragul Victoria, is a joint venture between the ECG McMillan Campus and the Warragul Light Harness Club.

The Gippsland Harness Training Centre is a fully operational racing stable as well as a training facility offering the following courses:

RGR20102 Certificate II in Racing (Stablehand)
A stable hand is a person who is employed in a thoroughbred or harness racing stable and whose prime function is to care for the animals and to meet their individual needs of feeding, grooming, exercising, treatments, transporting, and keeping the environment safe & clean. This course is a great opportunity to enter the world of horses covering the topics below.

RGR30302 Certificate III in Racing (Owner Trainer)
A Harness Owner Trainer is a person who trains harness horses for races, trials, and exercise workouts. This occupation requires the basic skills of a trainer and usually involves the care and training of a small number of horses owned by the trainer and prepared for racing. Topics covered are outlined below including; preparing horses for trials both Trotters and Pacers, interval training and heart rate meter training.

RGR30202 Certificate III in Racing (Advanced Stablehand)
An advanced stable hand (sometimes referred to as stable foreman) is a person who is in charge of daily operations, in a thoroughbred or harness racing stable. Topics covered will be the same as in Certificate II and in addition; Handling responsibility, Supervising staff and Communication skills .

RGR40302 Certificate IV in Racing (Advanced Harness Driver)
The Harness Driver is an independent professional sportsperson licensed by the industry authorities to compete in industry- regulated competition. A high degree of skill in handling race horses is required. Knowledge of rules and legal procedures is essential. The communication of performance and fitness of the horse to trainers and owners at the end of a race is a critical part of the harness driver's role. This requires a solid understanding of anatomy. Topics covered are outlined below including horse anatomy, health of the horse and sports psychology.
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RGR40402 Certificate IV in Racing (Harness Trainer)
The harness trainer trains for outside owners. A thorough knowledge of rules of racing and business practice is an essential requirement for trainers. A trainer at this level has developed a sound knowledge of all aspects of the industry and has acquired the required skills associated with running a racing establishment including management of staff, finances and equipment. Topics covered are outlined below including; learning how to train for outside owners, good communication skills, how to handle TV and media interviews and 2 weeks work experience with a leading trainer.
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Students will be given the opportunity to work with both trotters and pacers, developing skills in mobile and standing starts, horse husbandry and nutrition. Students will also become skilled in the use of modern training aids including heart rate monitors, massage therapy and ultrasound equipment.

Whether you are a novice with no horse experience or someone with industry experience you can upgrade your skills at the centre utilising all forms of industry input including visiting vets, chiropractors, nutritionists, farriers and countless other industry experts.

* ECG is now registered to deliver Certificate 4 Harness Trainer/Driver course to international enquiries. Promotion of our courses will now officially commence following registration with CRICOS.