Horse Careers: Empowering Horses As An Equine Behaviour Consultant
Have you ever thought about being an equine behaviour consultant?
Do you have a passion for horses and a knack for understanding their emotions and behaviours? If so, a career as an equine behaviour consultant could be the perfect blend of your interests and expertise! This guide will provide you with an overview of this growing, and important, profession. We hope it will also help you to decide if this is the right career path for you.
What Is An Equine Behaviour Consultant?
An equine behaviour consultant identifies, and helps owners and handlers understand, the root causes of behavioural problems in their horses. Using this knowledge, owners/handlers can then work to develop a positive relationship with their horse.
Significantly, a behaviourist’s knowledge of equine behaviour, psychology, and training techniques helps them identify the root causes of problems like fear, anxiety, aggression, and resistance. They then create individual plans to address these issues and build trust and understanding between horse and human.
So, essentially, equine behaviourists act as a bridge between the horse’s natural instincts and the expectations created by human interaction.
Equine Behaviour Consultant: Key Skills, Responsibilities, And Duties
As an equine behaviour consultant, you require several key skills in order to understand and carry out your duties.
Skill Requirements
Amongst the many skills that make an effective equine behaviour consultant, the key ones are…
Horse knowledge
Firstly, you should have a good working knowledge of horse anatomy, physiology, behaviour, and communication.
Problem-solving skills
Secondly, an ability to analyse situations, identify behavioural causes, and develop effective solutions is essential.
Observational skills
Thirdly, you will require a keen eye for subtle equine behavioural cues and patterns.
Communication skills
You also need excellent verbal and nonverbal communication to interact with horse owners and other professionals.
Empathy and patience
Additionally, you should understand and respect horses’ individual personalities and needs.
Physical fitness
Also, an ability to handle and work with horses in various settings is a must.
Business skills
This is optional, but will be helpful for managing your own practice.
Key Responsibilities
The responsibilities of an equine behaviour consultant are many and varied but as a minimum you should to be able to…
- Consult with horse owners in order to understand their concerns and the horse’s behaviour.
- Observe and assess the horse’s behaviour in different environments.
- Identify potential causes of behavioural problems, such as pain, stress, or lack of training.
- Develop personalised training plans to address identified issues.
- Guide horse owners and handlers on implementing training methods effectively.
- Monitor progress and adjust the training plan as needed.
- Importantly, provide ongoing support and education to horse owners.
Primary Duties
On the job as an equine behaviour consultant, your duties will include any or all of the following:
Behavioural consultations
Conducting initial assessments, developing training plans, and providing ongoing guidance.
Training demonstrations
Teaching horse owners and handlers safe and effective techniques for handling and training their horses.
Educational workshops and seminars
Sharing your knowledge and expertise on equine behaviour and training.
Collaboration with other professionals
Working with veterinarians, farriers, and other horse specialists.
Record-keeping and documentation
Maintaining detailed records of consultations and progress.
Equine Behaviour Consultant Certifications and Licenses
While formal certification is not mandatory in Australia, it can improve your credibility and attract clients. For this reason, several official organisations and many private enterprises offer certification programmes in equine behaviour consulting.
Additionally, some states may require specific licenses for operating a business. Therefore, check with your local authorities for relevant regulations. Also, don’t forget to check ASIC’s requirements for running a business too.
Government-run training
Bachelor of Equine Science
Provider: Charles Sturt University
Description: A comprehensive course that prepares you for a successful career in equine health, welfare, breeding, equitation science, training, and more.
Equine Behaviour & Performance
Provider: University of Queensland
Description: Focuses on the application of behavioural science as it relates to the horse and human-horse interaction.
Certificate III in Horse Care
Provider: TAFE NSW and various other approved RTOs
Description: Provides a solid understanding of horse behaviour and body language, which are essential for safe horse care and handling.
Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training
Provider: Various approved RTOs
Description: Trains you to interpret animal behaviour, apply learning theory, and also use effective conditioning and training techniques to meet animal welfare needs.
Certificate IV in Equine Care
Provider: Various approved RTOs
Description: Equips you with specialist technical skills in equine care, such as interpreting and addressing horse behaviour and also horse welfare.
Certificate III in Equine Studies
Provider: Various approved RTOs
Description: Offers skills required to join Australia’s horse industry, but with a focus on horse behaviour.
Private Training Organisations
Certificate of Horse Behaviour and Training
Provider: Australian Online Courses
Description: An online professional development program focused on understanding horse behaviour and applying effective training methods.
Equine Behaviour Course Online
Provider: Careerline Courses
Description: A 100-hour online course studying horse behaviour that offers self-paced learning and easy payment plans.
Horse & Equine Courses
Provider: Careerline Courses
Description: Offers various horse care, behaviour, and breeding courses with expert tutors.
Equine Behaviour – Horse Psychology
Provider: ACS Distance Education
Description: Provides a foundation for sensitive and informed care and training of horses, covering genetics, perception, and more.
Advanced Certificate in Applied Management (Horses)
Provider: ACS Distance Education
Description: Focuses on both equine industry knowledge and business practices for career or business success.
Online Equine Care and Behaviour Course
Provider: Courses4me
Description: A unique course covering both horse behaviour and care, providing a solid foundation for a career working with horses.
Equine Courses by Andrew McLean – ESI International
Provider: ESI International
Description: Equitation Science International offers online equine courses developed by Dr. Andrew McLean, a leader in Equine Science.
Certified Horse Behaviour Consultant (CHBC)
Provider: Avanti Dog Training
Description: Certification by examination through the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC).
Professional Equine Psychology Specialist Training
Provider: Equine Behaviour Affiliation
Description: Follows on from the Applied Equine Psychology Course for those wishing to practice as an Equine Behaviour Affiliation (EBA) professional.
Equine Behaviour Consulting Mentorship
Provider: Understand Horses
Description: Covers behaviour consulting business models, marketing, assessing equine body language, and also training using Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) principles.
**Always check the validity of an online course before enroling.
Career Paths for an Equine Behaviour Consultant
Start your own equine behaviour consulting business
As an equine behaviour consultants, you have a range of career paths to explore. For example, you can consider:
Working independently
Establish your own practice to serve individual clients and their horses.
Joining an established practice
Work as part of a team with other equine behaviour consultants or veterinarians.
Specialising in a specific area
Focus on areas like performance horses, rescue horses, or geriatric horses.
Teaching and research
Share your knowledge through workshops, seminars, or as a coach and instructor.
Work Environment of An Equine Behaviour Consultant
As an equine behaviour consultant you will find yourself enjoying the variety that comes from working in many different equestrian environments… From stables to muddy paddocks, pristine indoor arenas, and rough and ready round yards, in all kinds of inclement weather, across all 4 seasons… Moreover, this diversity of settings provides you with a unique set of challenges and rewards..
Variety
You will deal with much loved paddock ornaments, prima-donna pony club mounts, show horses with attitude, and also high performance athletes with performance-limiting peccadilloes. It’s your job to understand the whys and wherefores of their situation and help resolve them!
Travel
Equine behaviourist is a job that also requires a lot of travelling, as you’ll be meeting up with clients and their horses all over the place. You may also attend road shows, conferences, and community workshops either as an attendee or, as you work your way up the ladder, the instructor.
Office work
At various points during the day, or at either end, you may get to sit down and enjoy the peaceful ambience of your office. During this time, you may complete paperwork, update appointment schedules, study, or just reflect on the satisfaction that comes from knowing you’ve helped another horse and owner find their way through a maze of miscommunication and misunderstandings! Indeed, it’s all in day’s work for an equine behaviour consultant!
Salary Range for Equine Behaviour Consultant in Australia (2024):
The salary of an equine behaviour consultant in Australia varies depending on factors such as experience, location, specialisation, and business model. However, the average annual salary for experienced equine behaviour consultants is estimated to be around $80,000 – $100,000.
Job Outlook for Equine Behaviour Consultant in Australia
The demand for qualified equine behaviour consultants is steadily growing in Australia. It is driven by increasing awareness of animal welfare and the desire of owners for positive relationships with their horses. This trend is also expected to continue, making it a promising career choice for passionate and dedicated individuals.
Overview of a Career as an Equine Behaviour Consultant
A career as an equine behaviour consultant is a rewarding and challenging profession. Significantly, it allows you to make a positive impact on the lives of horses and their owners. However, it does require a blend of scientific knowledge, practical skills, and also empathy. But, if you have those, it’s a unique and fulfilling path for anyone who loves horses and wants to understand what motivates them to behave the way they do.
