For the Love of Horses: Equine Business Management Certificate

For the Love of Horses Equine Business Management Certificate is designed to give participants the knowledge, experience and connections they need to become successful in the equine industry! It is taught LIVE online AND includes a hands-on, practicum at an established equestrian centre!

A unique aspect of this program is that once you are completed, you will have access to our private, online community of mentors and past participants where you can continue to ask questions, participate in meaningful discussions, and stay up to date on changes and regulations that affect the equestrian community. Continue your learning experience long after you've completed the course!

The program includes:

• 36-hrs of class time over LIVE Zoom sessions, so you can take this certificate from anywhere, meet your fellow classmates, ask questions and have meaningful discussions!
• 3-day Practicum component at one of Manitoba's largest equestrian facilities, Sagehill Stables, in Winnipeg!
• Membership in our private, online Equine Mentorship Community

This program is for those:

• Ages 14 and up with previous horse experience
• Love horses and looking to start or expand an equine business on your own property
• ​Looking to start your own boarding business, riding lesson program, therapy program or similar equine business
• Coaches and barn managers
• Already running your dream business but looking for more resources and information
• Looking to gain experience for your resume
• Not sure what direction to head with post-secondary education but know you want to work with horses
• Looking to connect with others in the industry in a professional and safe platform where you can ask questions, find mentors and get inspiration
• Tried other online courses but had trouble staying motivated to complete them or they haven't helped you start or get ahead in your business

The program is split into 4 online courses plus the in-person practicum You can register for classes and the practicum individually, and receive your certificate once all components are completed.

• Lesson horse welfare and care: It doesn't matter what discipline you are teaching or whether you are doing riding lessons or therapy, the horse is your number one asset and how you deal with these issues will set the structure of your entire business. Topics include handling common lameness, health and behavioral issues in schooling and therapy horses, lesson horse workloads, the latest science regarding training techniques and modern day horse welfare issues, pros and cons of indoor vs. outdoor board, horse sales and retirement of lesson horses
• Feeds and feeding: This has been separated from the horse welfare and care section so that participants can take this as a stand-alone class. It will cover nutrient requirements of the horse, body condition scoring, water and hay testing, purchasing hay, and feed and ration balancing.
• Property and facilities: Having a safe place for both people and horses to work and learn is paramount to your business and your bottom line. Understanding the requirements in the Animal Care Act for fencing, shelter, bedding, and space requirements, types of shelters, fencing, stalls and bedding, barn and property layouts, drainage, arena footing, manure management, paddock and pasture management, equipment requirements, biosecurity protocols, fire prevention, emergency and disaster management planning, zoning and municipal by-laws
• People, safety and business: Lets face it, every horse has an owner and having lesson or therapy horses means dealing with more than one person per horse! This section will focus on professionalism, safety and liability issues, insurance, communication and personality assessments, employees and contractors, and coach and facilitator certification options, developing contracts and other documentation, setting policies, accounting and tax prep, scheduling, social media and advertising, dealing with the unexpected and handling challenging situations, and mental health and wellbeing of barn owners and equestrians
• In-person, hands-on practicum: 3 days Will cover the hands-on aspects from all 4 classes including diagnosing lameness and behavioral issues, how to fix and maintain electric and high tensile fencing, tractor operation, safety and maintenance, equipment operation and maintenance, building maintenance, hands on safety training in handling horses and people, hands on program delivery during one of our programs, meet the vets and farriers. See more info below on the practicum.

Participants will receive class materials and handouts electronically and will receive copies of all presentations. These online classes will be fun to attend and will not be reading from a text-book or reading by yourself online! In-person discussions, interactive activities and various teaching techniques will keep the class interesting and fun! There will be a final test for those that have completed all the courses and practicum, and a 70% grade is required to receive your Certificate.

Practicum

A three-day structured, in person learning experience is offered as part of the course. Participants will get first-hand experience in a functioning equestrian center with 25 boarders, 25 lesson and therapy horses, 18 staff and over 150 lesson students per week. Participants will see the details and organization behind the scenes, programs and equipment used and facility maintenance required to keep a business like this running. Training will be provided on-site for all activities. This type of learning experience is something that is not offered by other online courses!

Practicum activities include:

• Daily in person class-room session
• Practical application of the horse welfare course including trouble shooting lameness or behavioral issues with our lesson horses
• Assisting and viewing components of camps or lessons, birthdays and public events
• Meeting the staff, vets and farriers
• Viewing and participating in various aspects of daily activities including chores, arena maintenance, pen maintenance and feeding
• Hands on fence repairs and maintenance
• Equipment overview, including operation of tractors, maintenance and safety training
• Building maintenance overview​

​Participants are required to find their own accommodations, transportation to and from the stable and bring a lunch each work day. Participants will need to bring their own helmet, and suitable footwear and clothing for the weather. Sagehill Stables is located at 4180 Waverley Street in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

If participants have a disability that may limit participation in some of the activities, activities can be modified to ensure that all participants can participate. Please notify the instructor upon registration for the course and feel free to ask us any questions.

Lesson Horse Welfare and Care:

Winter Session 2023: Tuesdays January 3rd, 10th and 17th 6 to 9pm

Spring Session 2023: Tuesdays April 4th, 11th, and 18th 6 to 9pm

Feeds and Feeding:

Winter Session 2023: Tuesdays January 24th and 31st 6 to 9pm

Spring Session 2023: Thursdays 25th, May 2nd 6 to 9pm

​Property and Facilities:

Winter Session 2023: Tuesdays February 7th, 14th, 21st 6 to 9pm

Spring Session 2023: Tuesdays May 9th, 16th, 23rd 6 to 9pm

People, Safety and Business:

Winter Session 2023: Tuesdays Feb 28th, March 7th, 14th and 21st 6 to 9pm

Spring Session 2023: Tuesdays May 30th, June 6th, 13th, and 20th 6 to 9pm

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Winter Practicum 2023: March 24th, 25th, 26th

Spring Practicum 2023: June 23rd, 24th, 25th

A detailed scheduled will be provided once registered.

For the Love of Horses is taught by a current professional in the equine industry, Dr. Gwendolyn Donohoe. Her goal for this course is to work with other equine enthusiasts to create a strong, professional and knowledgeable equine industry and community. We can create a stronger, more profitable industry by working together instead of against each other.​

Dr. Donohoe is the owner and manager at Sagehill Stables and also teaches at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Donohoe holds a PhD in Agriculture and also has multiple degrees and certificates including being a certified manure management planner and is a Certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator. Gwen has sat on multiple boards including the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association, Manitoba Rural Adaption Council and the Manitoba Horse Council. The experience gained from her education, running a business, teaching University level classes, along with handling multiple business challenges including COVID-19, fire, drought and floods, has given her a unique perspective and much to offer to participants. ​

Host or Publisher Sagehill Stables