Are you passionate about horses and their care? Looking to further your knowledge or focus on a career in the equine industry?
Our Horse Care Fundamentals course is presented in a unique online format for those looking to learn more about equine studies! A career working with horses is extremely rewarding and satisfying, and this online equine short course is a great way to make your dream become reality!
Study mode: OnlineÂ
Online study time: Self-paced
Application status: Enrol now
CPD Points: 10 Points
Prerequisite: No qualifications required
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Delivery & Assessments
100% online course: this course lets you learn when and where it suits you, no classroom attendance needed
Easy access:Â Access your studies anytime through our Online Learning Platform, featuring interactive resources, videos, and online assessments
Assessments: Include online quizzes
Completion Time
Completion time will depend on your individual schedule and study pace.
You’ll have up to 6 months to complete the course, allowing you to study flexibly around work, family, and other commitments.
As a general guide, students who study 4–6 hours per week usually finish in around 6 months.
Entry Requirements
The Horse Care Fundamentals short course is a great building block for those with an interest in horse care. There are no prerequisites for entry into this course, however, to enrol in this course you will need to:

You will complete 10 modules online, covering a broad range of equine topics relating to the principles of working in the animal care industry. You will be introduced to:
All of the skills and knowledge you will learn can be applied across a broad range of horse care facilities. For more information on jobs and careers in this industry, read our article Ten Rewarding Careers that Involve Working with Horses.

Our graduates go on to a wide range of roles across the equine and animal care industry. You can learn more about working with horses in our popular blog post “Ten Rewarding Careers that Involve Working with Horses” and below are potential outcomes for graduates of our horse care fundamentals course:
On completion of your training, potential career pathways include, but are not limited to:
As well as becoming confident in handling horses, here are some of the skills you will be able to apply once having completed this course:
On completion, the Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician (AVNAT) Regulatory Council will allocate 10 AVNAT CPD points to this continuing education activity.
Our training is comprised of 10 modules covering the principles of working in the equine and horse care industry. You will be required to study the topics listed below:
Module 1 – Working in the Horse Industry
Discover potential career paths within the horse industry. This module sheds light on topics such as animal welfare, biosecurity, and the transmission of zoonotic diseases in horse care facilities.
Module 2 – Understanding Horse Behaviour
Learn how horses’ innate behaviours, including the flight response, social structures within herds, special senses, and communication, shape their interactions. This module also delves into problem behaviours, often termed as ‘vices’.
Module 3 – Working Safely with Horses
Develop a comprehensive understanding of workplace health and safety, covering hazards, risks, and emergencies specific to horses and their care facilities. It includes safe handling techniques such as approaching, catching, leading, tying up, and releasing horses, as well as horse restraint and transportation.
Module 4 – Terminology, Characteristics, and Identification of Horses
Gain a foundation of knowledge on horse breeds and types, along with points, different gaits, and methods of identification based on sex, coat colour, and markings, both natural and acquired.
Module 5 – Housing of Horses
Explore various housing options like stables and paddocks, discussing appropriate bedding, stable routines, agistment, and Australian regulations pertaining to horsekeeping.
Module 6 – Routine Husbandry
Understand the importance of grooming, foot care (including the application of boots and bandages), hosing, clipping, rugging, exercising, and maintenance of tack and saddlery equipment in routine horse care.
Learn with confidence through expert-developed online videos and easy-to-follow study materials that help bring theory to life.
Access your course with low monthly payments, making it easier to invest in your future.
Enjoy the freedom to study at your own pace, from any location, at any time.
Add a recognised horse care course to your resume and increase your opportunities in the horse care and equine industry.
Approved under the AVNAT Registration Scheme, this course earns you 10 CPD points with the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia.


All course fees include:
Option 1
Full Payment UpfrontÂ
Total cost: $595
Option 2
Monthly Payment Plan
Total cost: $650
$150 upfront enrolment feeÂ
Plus 4 monthly payments of $125
*Fees, inclusions and payment plan amounts are subject to change. If you decide to withdraw from study for any reason, refunds are not issued. Please see our policies page for full details.
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This short course is non-accredited, which means it doesn’t form part of a nationally recognised qualification. However, it has been expertly developed by industry professionals to give you valuable knowledge and confidence in horse care.
While not accredited, this course is a great way to build your skills, explore your passion, and boost your resume in the animal care field.
As the Horse Care Fundamentals is a non-accredited short course, it does not meet the prerequisite for the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.
To apply for Veterinary Nursing, you must have any one of the following prerequisites:
The Horse Care Fundamentals short course is non-accredited, so it doesn’t meet the formal entry requirement for the Equine Veterinary Nursing course.
The Equine Veterinary Nursing course is an advanced program that builds on the skills and knowledge of qualified veterinary nurses who are ready to expand their skills into the equine field.
To enrol, you’ll need to have completed a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing or hold an equivalent qualification. This ensures students have the clinical background needed to successfully take on equine nursing responsibilities.
If you’re passionate about working with horses, this short course is a valuable way to develop your understanding of horse care. It’s a great addition to your resume, whether you’re preparing for further study or you’re a veterinary nurse or animal care professional looking to expand your knowledge in equine care.
The Horse Care Fundamentals short course has been designed for flexible online delivery allowing you to learn at your own pace. You’ll dive deep into the world of horses through interactive modules, real-life scenarios, and online experiences. It’s a flexible format that lets you learn at your own pace in your own time.
No work placement is required – this course is 100% online, making it a flexible and accessible option for anyone interested in learning more.
This format allows you to focus on building your knowledge in a way that suits your lifestyle.
This FAQ relates to the following short courses: Horse Care Fundamentals, Veterinary Workplace Mental Health Skills and the Australian Wildlife Care Short Course
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AVT has been delivering Vet Nursing and Animal Care related courses for over 25 years. It's safe to say there are no plumbing or hairdressing courses here!

A recent NCVER VET student outcomes report found 92% of AVT graduates were employed or enrolled in further study after training and 92% of graduates would recommend the training provided by AVT.

Our qualified teaching team have many years of experience as well as extensive backgrounds in the veterinary and animal care industry. They're approachable and dedicated to helping students succeed.
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About Equine Vet Nursing
The leader in delivery of Australian Nationally Recognised Qualifications including ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (formerly Animal Studies), ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services, ACM40818 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training.
Applied Vocational Training (AVT) delivers a range of qualifications and short courses for students wishing to pursue a career working with animals.Â
AVT is a Registered Training Organisation based in Perth, Western Australia, providing on-campus and online courses to students studying throughout Australia. More about us →
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land where our campus is based, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and we commit to walking alongside our indigenous brothers and sisters. We extend that respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in our community.
Applied Vocational Training (AVT) is proudly a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 5273).
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