Specialist Facilities
Teaching Staff
Learning Environment
Course Overview
Duration
Entry Requirements
Recognition of Prior Learning
Bridging Courses
Tuition Fees
Employment Outcomes
Course Outline

Course Code: HEESEQST
CRICOS Code: 054078J

NMIT is the first Victorian TAFE institute to establish a full-time course in equine studies at bachelor degree level. Equine Studies is a specialised animal science - equine science, in combination with aspects of business management essential for the successful operation of an equine enterprise. Equine sciences provide the applied scientific knowledge for efficient management to achieve production and performance at the standard industry requires.

This course is for school leavers who wish to enter the equine industry, mature age applicants who wish to advance their knowledge and skills in equine and international students who wish to pursue a career in the national and international equine industry.

Course Location and Contact Information

Specialist Facilities

Northern Lodge is NMIT's major equine teaching, demonstration facility and operating stud farm. Northern Lodge provides the opportunity for students to become involved in all aspects of horse breeding and management and in all aspects of day-to-day operations and administration of a stud farm. Northern Lodge features:

Teaching Staff

The Bachelor of Equine Studies is taught by qualified academic staff supported by highly experienced industry practitioners.

The Learning Environment

• A supportive and active learning environment with small classes, an interactive teaching approach and supervised hands on experience.
• Practical involvement with industry through NMIT's equine facilities and through field trips and industry experience.
• A combination of theory and its application in industry scale facilities supported by academic staff and industry practitioners.

Course Overview

The Bachelor of Equine Studies is a multidisciplinary program that includes basic sciences, equine sciences, equine management and business management. In addition, the course provides an extensive knowledge of equine practices through all seasons of the equine industry calendar. The course prepares graduates for employment in the national and international equine industry.

The Bachelor of Equine Studies consists of 25 subjects including industry placement.

The degree provides broad knowledge of basic sciences and specialised knowledge of equine sciences together with a specialised knowledge of horse and stud management and equine business management. Specific subjects in the degree include equine anatomy, physiology, development, health, nutrition, conformation, genetics, behaviour, locomotion and reproduction as well as horse and stud management and equine business management.

The course provides a knowledge of farm business management principles, enterprise planning and analysis, accounting, financial management, business law and equine legislation and law. Students will learn to design, conduct, record, analyse and report valid and reliable scientific research as well as acquire an ability to critically examine and evaluate equine research studies.

The course provides a broad knowledge of the diverse sectors of the national and international equine industry and new developments and practices. Along with this knowledge, the course develops the ability to work professionally and productively in the equine industry.

Practical and high-level vocational skills will be developed through extensive training periods at the commercial-scale equine facilities managed by NMIT. Fieldwork is undertaken on placement at approved commercial farms and government agencies.

Duration

Full time: 3 years

Domestic students may undertake the course on a part-time basis.

Entry Requirements

• Successful completion of Year 12 VCE or recognised equivalent with English and preferably Mathematics and either Chemistry or Biology, or
• Successful completion of a TAFE Diploma course in Horse Studies, or
• Mature age entry where applicants can demonstrate capacity to undertake work at degree level.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants may seek recognition for prior learning where work of an advanced and related nature has been undertaken.

Bridging Courses

For students who do not have VCE Year 12 or equivalent in English or chemistry, mathematics or biology subjects, bridging programs are available.

Tuition Fees

Full time: AUD$12,000 per annum.

Part time: Part time fees are pro rata and determined by subject load.

FEE-HELP

Employment Outcomes

•  Equine enterprise managers/owners and/or operators - experience required

•  Equine education - may require a graduate diploma of education

•  Bloodstock agents

•  Equine consultants

•  Equine industry marketing, promotions and journalism

•  Working in a wide range of equine enterprises

•  Government advisors on equine industry/policy

Course Outline

Year 1 Semester 1

BES101 Introduction to Horse and Stud Management I
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
The purpose of this two semester subject is to provide students with an overview of the international and Australian horse industry, particularly the breeding industry and the different forms a breeding enterprise can take. The subject introduces students to the many aspects of running a breeding enterprise and involves them in the associated day to day activities of a breeding enterprise.

BES102 Chemical Concepts
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
The purpose of this subject is to develop knowledge of the chemical concepts that underpin the study of biochemistry and the chemical basis of life processes. Chemical Concepts is designed to ensure all students proceeding in the course have the basic knowledge of chemistry and biochemistry required for the biological sciences that follow.

BES103 Biology
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
The purpose of this subject is to develop knowledge of fundamental biological concepts pertinent to animal production and a broad understanding of the biological environment. To this end the structure and function of the cell is introduced as the basic unit of life, the mechanisms that generated today's variety of life are examined and the interaction of life forms in an ecosystem analysed. Biology also develops core knowledge of botany, particularly the angiosperm plants that are fundamental to land based agriculture.

BES104 Equine Behaviour
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
The purpose of this subject is to provide students with knowledge of horse behaviour and handling. Horses interact and communicate with human beings in a complex and intense way. For this reason, it must be recognised that horse husbandry is unique when compared to other animal husbandries, and an understanding of horse behaviour and the ability to handle horses are critical to their safe and effective management. This subject recognises this unique aspect of the industry and aims to ensure students embarking on a course and career that requires them to physically work with horses can do so safely and effectively.

Year 1 Semester 2

BES101 Introduction to Horse and Stud Management II (continued from Semester 1)
(*EFTSL Value 0.11)
(Subject Fees: $1320)

BES105 Equine Anatomy and Conformation
(*EFTSL Value 0.11)
(Subject Fees: $1320)
This subject is designed to provide students with an overall understanding of the gross anatomy of a horse. This understanding forms a conceptual "whole horse" framework for the detailed anatomy in equine physiology, and the specialised equine subjects in which relevant anatomy is detailed and the knowledge immediately utilised.

In contrast to an anatomy course designed for veterinary students who proceed to surgery and diagnosis, this subject concentrates on the overall, functional aspects of anatomy and does not require the excessive learning of terminology. The subject introduces students to conformation evaluation in a manner that allows the student to recognise conformational faults and to understand their structural significance and soundness implications.

BES107 Microbiology
(*EFTSL Value 0.11)
(Subject Fees: $1320)
This subject is one of four basic science subjects that aim to develop a broad scientific base of knowledge about the biological world and a scientific approach to the analysis and interpretation of the environment. These subjects also develop the knowledge of core scientific concepts that are fundamental to the development of a scientific understanding of the horse and its management.

BESIE209 Industry Experience
(*EFTSL Value: 0.06)
(Subject Fees: $720)
The purpose of the industry experience subjects is to develop knowledge that can only be learned through experience. For the equine industry, it is the combination of experience and the insight that comes through scientific knowledge that provides the best foundation for competent, flexible, adaptive management.

Industry experience provides students with the opportunity to see the commercial application of the theoretical knowledge they learn as part of the course. This gives value and meaning to their past and future studies and develops the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations.

Year 2 Semester 1

BES201 Locomotion and Foot Care
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
The purpose of this subject is to develop knowledge of the mechanics of movement in a horse and the ability to apply this knowledge to the analysis of a horse's gait for characteristics that may affect performance and those that may indicate or lead to unsoundness. The subject also develops knowledge of the relationship between conformation and both performance and gait and develops the ability to analyse the effects of various shoeing practices on gait and the occurrence of training injuries.

BES203 Equine Nutrition
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
The purpose of this subject is to provide students with an understanding of digestive physiology and the biochemical principles of nutrition that is required for good, progressive, nutritional management of horses. In doing this it provides the theoretical base for the companion management subject, Management of Feeds and Feeding, and the nutritional components of the specialised management subjects.

Year 2 Semester 2

BES205 Equine Business Management 1
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
The aim of the two business subjects in this course is to develop knowledge of the business management principles required for the management of horse operations and personnel. The subjects aim to develop a knowledge of financial and accounting practices, operational and business systems management, resource management and employment relations and marketing practices in a global business context as well as the ability to apply this knowledge through the development of business management skills.

BES206 Feeds and Feeding
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
The purpose of this subject is to develop knowledge of feeds and the ability to apply this knowledge to the development of feeding regimes that effectively meet the needs of the different classes of horse. The value of this subject is that it takes the theory learned in Equine Nutrition and assists students to build on this with the most current and advanced knowledge of equine nutrition, and then develops the ability to use the information as they will have to in the industry. That is, to formulate and evaluate diets for a wide range of circumstances and to recognise, analyse and solve nutritional problems. The subject is designed to require the practice that ensures students feel comfortable performing these tasks and provides the opportunity to accumulate a record of a range of appropriate rations to suit a wide range of situations.

BES207 Genetics and Horse Breeding
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
This subject provides knowledge of qualitative and quantitative genetics so that students can make knowledgeable and informed decisions and predictions regarding the breeding of horses.

The study of qualitative genetics provides the physiological basis for understanding inheritance and is applied to the inheritance of simple characteristics and coat colour in the horse. The latter is particularly important for those involved with colour breeds.

BES208 Equine Reproduction
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
The purpose of this subject is to provide students with a thorough knowledge of the science of equine reproduction.

The subject covers the physiology of reproduction in the mare and stallion and relates this to basic reproductive management procedures sufficiently for students to value the scientific information and to understand how the knowledge assists in the practical management of reproductive procedures. In so doing, this subject provides the theoretical platform for the more advanced subject that focuses on reproductive management.

Year 3 Semester 1

BES301 The Developing Horse
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
The purpose of this subject is to develop knowledge of the management of young horses from birth to maturity, with a particular emphasis on those areas of management that assist in the production of sound performance horses. The newborn foal is treated individually as it has unique problems associated with making the transition from a parasitic to independent life.

The subject is a specialised equine management subject that provides students with information specific to this class of animal and assists them to develop the ability to combine this with the body of knowledge they have gained from prerequisite subjects in order to manage young horses effectively.

BES302 Herd Health
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
This subject aims to develop the knowledge and understanding required to manage the health of a group of horses in a "whole farm", sustainable manner. Herd Health is the second of two equine health subjects. The first developed knowledge of the fundamentals of equine health and the application of that knowledge to the health management of individual horses. This subject builds on this established knowledge in the area of epidemiology and then applies it to the health management of a group of horses.

BES303 Equine Exercise Physiology
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
The purpose of this subject is to develop knowledge of the physiology and biochemistry of exercise and athletic conditioning. Such knowledge is fundamental to the progressive and scientific management of performance horses and provides the foundation for the critical analysis and development of management strategies in the companion subject, Managing the Equine Athlete.

Equine Exercise Physiology examines the biochemical and physiological aspects of exercise in the short and long term. Knowledge of the immediate effects of exercise on the horse provides the basis for the development of management strategies to assist the horse meet the immediate needs of exercise while an understanding of the effects of repeated exercise over time on tissues and organ systems is fundamental to the development of training regimes to improve fitness and performance.

BES304 Pastures Management
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
The purpose of this subject is to provide students with the knowledge of pasture species, establishment and management needed to manage pastures for maximum production and to manage the land in a sustainable way. It develops the ability to integrate this knowledge with knowledge of equine management, towards the efficient management of a horse enterprise and develops the capacity for critical assessment of pasture management practices and the ability to adapt knowledge to specific pasture management contexts. In addition, the safe handling of associated agricultural chemicals is examined.

Year 3 Semester 2

BES305 Equine Business Management 2
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
The purpose of this subject is to further develop the principles and practices involved in managing the business aspects of a horse breeding enterprise. The subject will develop knowledge of economic theory for business decision making and knowledge of accounting practices, the taxation system, insurance and syndication, human resource management theories and practices, marketing.

BES306 Equine Reproductive Management
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
This subject expands on the knowledge of equine reproduction developed in the companion subject, Equine Reproduction, and develops the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to the more sophisticated aspects of reproductive management.

For each management area, a range of alternative strategies are discussed and evaluated, rather than one being selected and taught to students as the best approach. For each approach the physiological rationale and background research, including conflicting results, are presented and discussed. This approach develops the depth of understanding required for adaptable, progressive and innovative management rather than the, often dangerous, repetition of a learned approach without the ability to recognise when it is no longer the best or even an appropriate management strategy.

BES307 Managing the Equine Athlete
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
The purpose of this subject is to further develop knowledge of the physiology of exercise and apply this knowledge to the development and critical analysis of basic training regimes, for the different classes of performance horse, and to the management of performance horses in general. While the knowledge and analytical skills developed in this subject form a strong foundation for those wishing to pursue a professional training career the subject also develops a strong appreciation of the need for extensive experience to realise this career objective.

For those interested in the breeding industry this subject provides the knowledge and experience needed to select and interact with a trainer, should any young horses be retained by a breeding enterprise, and assist in the management of spelling, injured, retired and future performers as well as the selection of young stock.

BES308 Equine Enterprise Management
(*EFTSL Value 0.125)
(Subject Fees: $1500)
Introduction to Horse and Stud Management provided an introduction to what is involved in running an equine enterprise, particularly a breeding enterprise. This introduction provided the framework, or context, for the specialised equine, business and pasture subjects that followed. In contrast, Equine Enterprise Management assists students to apply the information they have learned in the specialised subjects to whole farm and whole industry aspects of running an equine enterprise. As a final semester subject, this subject also further develops the students understanding of the equine industry, domestic and international, to assist them take their place in the industry and make a contribution to it.

In the area of enterprise management this subject examines personnel management and the non-financial aspects of farm or enterprise management. In this regard it develops the ability to apply knowledge developed in preceding subjects to the development and critical evaluation of farm layouts, analysis of animal welfare issues and the assessment of management performance, in all its facets.

*EFTSL: Equivalent Full Time Student Load

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