Equine Behaviour Career Course   About the course   The career course, run by the internationally recognised equine behaviour expert Dr Debbie Marsden, author of “How Horses Learn”, aims to train successful applicants to run their own business as professional Equine Behaviour Consultants.   Combining the latest science with the best of traditional and modern equine training techniques, this course offers trainees the benefit of Dr Marsden’s practical and professional experience; having lived and worked with horses all her life and developed her own highly respected equine behaviour practice over the past 20 years.   The course covers key elements of horse behaviour, the practical application of this knowledge to solving equine behaviour problems and good business practice. Teaching comprises lectures, workshops, and practical exercises using slides, videotape/DVD, horses and ‘guinea pig’ clients. Trainees will be given every opportunity to participate in discussion and contribute to ‘role play’ exercises, to consolidate their knowledge and help develop the ‘people’ and other skills required for this kind of work. The emphasis of all teaching throughout the course is on the practical and how to successfully solve equine behaviour problems in the ‘real’ world of today’s horse industry, using problem-based learning.   The schedule is organised into 10 week-end modules, allowing trainees to join the annual programme at any time, although maximum benefit will be gained by taking these in order, starting in October each year.   After each module trainees have three weeks to complete a short written project and those who reach the required standard in all projects will be entitled to sit the final exam which comprises a short answer written paper, oral examination and a practical exam based on a series of mock client situations.  Further details no requirements and assessment standards will be given to trainees with each project.    Each module must be completed within 3 years to be eligible for examination ie trainees can miss the same module twice but must take it in the third year if they wish to proceed to examination.   The usual allowances regarding extensions and assistance will be made for illness, personal and family problems, and people with particular needs such as dyslexia etc.

Equine Behaviour Career Course   Venues   Courses will be held at Oatridge College, a member of the Scottish Equestrian Association, a BHS Training and Exam Centre and popular equestrian competition venue and Warwickshire College, also a BHS Training and Exam centre reknowned for its equestrian facilities and equine courses   Oatridge The College is near Edinburgh, beside the small village of Ecclesmachan just outside Broxburn in West Lothian.  It is very well served by road (M8/M9 just west of the Edinburgh City Bypass A720) and rail and is only a short taxi ride from Edinburgh Airport. For directions and travel details please contact the College directly on 01506 864 800 (ask for Lynn Oliver) or email info@oatridge.ac.uk . The college website is at www.oatridge.ac.uk . The College also offers B&B on campus, ranging from £26 - £36 per night depending on whether en-suite, full or half board is required. Contact the College directly and ask for the Accommodation Officer. Alternatively there is a wide range of Hotels and Scottish Tourist Board Approved accommodation nearby and the College is easy to get to from Edinburgh.   Warwickshire   The College's equestrian facilites are at the renowned Moreton Morrell Centre, just south of Coventry near Royal Leamington Spa and Warwick within easy reach of the M40, easily accessible via the M5, M1 and M6.  Accommodation may be available on campus and there is a wide selection of Hotels, B &B etc nearby.  For information on accommodation call 01926 318295 or email kfiggit@warkscol.ac.uk .  For general enquiries contact the College directly on 0800 783 6767 or email enquiries@warkscol.ac.uk or visit http://www.warkscol.ac.uk .

Equine Behaviour Career Course   Timetable   There are 10 modules and each module will be taught at approximately monthly intervals usually in the middle weekend of each month at Oatridge and the last weekend of each month at Warwickshire ;   Dates for 2008/09     Oatridge   Module 1 History Taking                                                             10 – 12 October 2008 Module 2 Reading Equine Body Language                               14– 16 November 2008 (Christmas break)                                         Module 3 Understanding Equine Social Behaviour                  16 -18 January 2009 Module 4 Recognising Learned Behaviour Problems              13 - 15 February 2009 Module 5 Practical Retraining Techniques                                13 –15 March  2009 Module 6 Evaluation of Alternative Training Systems               10 – 12 April 2009 Module 7 Husbandry, Handling and Travel Problems                  15 – 17 May 2009 Module 8 Saddlery, Tack and associated Problems                  12 -14 June 2009 (Summer Break) Module 9   Ridden Problems                                                       14 – 16 August 2009 Module 10 Professional Ethics and Business Practice              11 – 13 September 2009       Warwickshire (to be confirmed)   Module 1 History Taking                                                             24 – 26 October 2008 Module 2 Reading Equine Body Language                               28 – 30 November 2008 (Christmas break)                                         Module 3 Understanding Equine Social Behaviour                  29 January – 01 February 2009 Module 4 Recognising Learned Behaviour Problems               27 February  – 01 Mar 2009 Module 5 Practical Retraining Techniques                                27 – 29 March  2009 Module 6 Evaluation of Alternative Training Systems               24 – 26 April 2009 Module 7 Husbandry, Handling and Travel Problems             29 – 31 May 2009 Module 8 Saddlery, Tack and associated Problems                  26 June - 28 June 2009 (Summer Break) Module 9   Ridden Problems                                                      28 – 30 August 2009 Module 10 Professional Ethics and Business Practice              25 – 27 September 2009   Classes run from 7-9pm on Friday evening, 10am - 5pm Saturdays and 10am - 12 noon on Sundays.   The course is taught by Dr Marsden and other tutors who are experts in each of the other relevant fields such as a SMS qualified saddle fitter, Tax inspector, advocate/barrister, small business advisor, chartered physiotherapist etc.

Equine Behaviour Career Course   Refreshments   Tea, coffee, biscuits and fruit are provided at regular intervals throughout, with a buffet lunch served on Saturdays.   An excellent vegetarian selection is offered and other special dietary requirements can be catered for on request. Please do let us know your preferences when registering.

Equine Behaviour Career Course   Module Content   1.       History Taking                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    This module covers case history taking, from first contact with potential clients to procedures for assessment visits. Teaching includes key facts required, cross presentation of handling, ridden and other problems,  interview technique, assessment of information from clients,  safety do’s and don’ts, procedure and methods of note taking and record keeping. Trainees will have the opportunity to interview clients under Dr Marsden’s guidance and observe and discuss each other's performance.                                                                                                                                           2.       Reading Equine Body Language   This is one of the most important elements of horse behaviour to understand and become proficient in for any equine behaviourist. Unconscious awareness of this is the main way in which experienced equestrian professionals become ‘good with horses’ and how many ‘horse whisperers’ impress clients. Being able to read, understand and explain this to clients is an important clinical ‘tool’ for behaviour consultants. In particular trainees will be taught how to distinguish physiological ‘misbehaviour’ (eg that due to pain/fear/pathology) from psychological  ‘misbehaviour’ (eg that due to ‘naughtiness’ or learned ‘misbehaviour’). Teaching uses slides and videotape before progressing to horses.   3.       Equine Social Behaviour                                                                                                       An in depth knowledge and thorough understanding of equine social behaviour is also particularly important for the successful behaviour consultant. Misunderstandings between horses and people here are a common cause of serious problems. Trainees will be taught to see things from the horse’s point of view and how to explain this to clients. Equine social systems will be explained as well as how to distinguish between play, defensive aggression, proactive aggression, social dominance related behaviour and other types of normal equine social behaviour, including gender–related and reproductive behaviour, all of which can lead to problems for clients.   4.       Recognising Learned Behaviour Problems                                                               This module teaches trainees how to recognise learned ‘misbehaviour’ and distinguish this from ‘misbehaviour’ due to physical problems. This skill is not only vital to choosing appropriate treatment techniques but also particularly useful when working for a vet or insurance company. The benefits of ruling out  ‘learned misbehaviour’ or early positive diagnosis of this and related safety and welfare issues are discussed.   5.       Practical Retraining Techniques                                                                               The most useful practical re-training techniques are explained, along with how to select which techniques are most appropriate for individual clients, depending on their attitude, ability and the facilities available to them.  This module also covers safety issues, assessing and teaching clients as well as the pros and cons of taking horses in for ‘re-schooling’ . Trainees will have the opportunity to practise a little ‘re-training’ themselves, and with clients and horses, to help understand common pitfalls and develop the required training and teaching skills.   6.       Evaluation of Alternative Training Systems   Opinions vary on the benefits or otherwise of alternative training systems, but these are increasingly popular today, especially amongst those relatively new to horses. Many clients experiencing behaviour problems with their horse will have ‘had a go’ and will ask about these. Trainees will be taught how some of the most popular of these systems actually work (ie not always as promoted), how they can lead to problems and how some elements of some systems can be useful when dealing with some kinds of behaviour problems. The safety and welfare issues involved will be discussed. Trainees are welcome to bring promotional material, videotapes or DVDs of any system they are particularly keen on or interested in for class discussion.   7.       Husbandry, Handling and Travel Problems   Trainees will be taught how common practices here affect behaviour, can lead to problems and how to diagnose and solve these kinds of problems. Safety and welfare issues will be discussed. Be prepared to discuss your own practice and experiences!                                                                                                                                           8.       Saddlery, Tack and associated Problems                                                                                                      Incorrectly fitted or inappropriate tack is the most common cause of fear and pain related equine behaviour problems. Trainees will be taught how to assess saddle fit in particular and procedures for recognising and dealing with these kinds of problems.                                                                                                                         9.       Ridden Problems         This module covers procedures for assessing, diagnosing and solving ridden behaviour problems. Safety and welfare issues will be discussed.  A wide variety of the most common ridden problems will be explained, including rearing, bucking, bolting, napping, spook and spin, difficulties mounting or cantering, various head and bit-related evasions as well as common jumping and other performance problems.                                                                                                                                              10.      Professional Conduct and Business Practice                                                          Business practice teaching will include book-keeping, tax, marketing, public and employee liability and other insurance matters, as well as the pro’s and con’s of running your own business and how to avoid some common pitfalls. Trainees will also be taught about professional conduct, including veterinary referrals and liaison with other professionals within the equestrian industry as well as report writing, customer service and dealing with difficult customers including bad payers. Safety and welfare issues will be discussed. This module also covers relevant aspects of equine law and legislation relating to Duty of Care and Trading Standards.    Trainees are welcome to bring in video/DVD clips of their own or friends’ horses for class discussion in any module.

Equine Behaviour Career Course   Application Procedure   The course is designed for people with both practical experience of working with horses and degree level qualifications. These should be in an appropriate animal science based subject such as equine studies, agriculture science, veterinary medicine, and other animal sciences such as biology, physiology, genetics, psychology and so on.   Applicants with other degrees, without degrees and/or combinations of professional expertise and personal experience, eg a qualified instructor, nurse, veterinary nurse, saddler or yard manager with considerable practical experience with horses, will also be considered. Applicants should complete and return the  application form (link below) to the address on the form. Please fill in each section as fully as possible and add C.V. or sheet with further information if necessary. The more information you provide, the more likely you are to be successful. Two references will be required.   You are advised to keep a copy and send by registered post.  If you do not receive notification of receipt within 2 weeks please call. click here to download application form

Equine Behaviour Career Course   Registration   Successful applicants will be invited to register for their place on the course and asked to enclose evidence of qualifications (eg copy of degree and BHS or other instructing certificates etc) with full payment of fees to secure their place.   Unsuccessful applicants will be advised of the reasons why they were not offered a place on the course at this point and, where appropriate, advised on the further qualifications or experience required before re-application is likely to be successful.

Equine Behaviour Career Course   Fees   Fees include all tuition over 10 modules, course notes with reading list, project assessment, examination fee, all refreshments and lunches, guidance and on-going telephone support with course work and in first year of practising professionally.   Fees for 2007/8 are £2,495.00   Please do not send fees with application. Successful applicants will be advised on how to pay when registering.   Fees will be refunded in full should unforeseen events result in the course being cancelled.