My Horse University is reminding horse lovers of all ages and interests that summer school is starting now with My Horse University and eXtension HorseQuest FREE Online Certificate Courses.
Free online courses for horse-oriented people
Funded through USDA grants and Cooperative Extension, My Horse University and eXtension HorseQuest offer FREE online certificate courses for youth, professionals, volunteers and prospective horse owners.
"When taking a break from your summer fun, consider expanding your equestrian knowledge. Funded through USDA grants and Cooperative Extension, My Horse University and eXtension HorseQuest offer FREE online certificate courses for the equestrian. There are courses that specifically target youth, professionals, volunteers and even prospective horse owners" and include the following:
- Horse Sense — For youth, employers, and anyone interested in learning more about safety working on a horse farm
- Equine Business Network — For professionals in the horse industry
- HALTER — For volunteers, professionals and parents working with youth and their horses
- Horse Selection and Ownership 101 — For horse crazy kids of all ages that want to own a horse or just learn more about them
Horse Sense
Horse Sense is a horse safety course developed for youth working with horses as well as their employers. However, this course is great for anyone that wants to learn more about horse safety. There are eleven self-paced short courses, which include videos, links and activities. Students will receive a certificate for each successfully completed short course.
You can select from the following courses (take just one or take all 11—you decide!):
- Horse Behavior
- Horse Handling
- Horse Manners
- Grooming
- Horse Keeping - Daily Care and Management of Horses
- Training & Exercising
- Machine & Chemical Safety
- Traveling with Horses
- Biosecurity on Horse Farms
- Horse Health
- Employer/Employee Relations
Equine Business Network:
Many equine professionals seek continued education for professional development. The Equine Business Network offers a free online short course series that connects horse business professionals with land grant universities, equine business experts, networking opportunities, and other helpful resources.
Five FREE online short courses are offered with a focus on contract/employee labor law, liability issues, working with youth and volunteers, immigration documentation, and farm safety practices. Each course consists of a webinar, interactive quiz, a decision tool, and online resources. Webinar speakers include experts from the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State University and an expert on worker safety from Michigan State University. Upon completion of each course participants will receive a certificate of completion.
Equine industry professionals are also encouraged to join the Equine Business Network (EBN) community through Facebook and Twitter.
Halter:
The Horse Adult Leader Training and Educational Resource (HALTER) Program is a great resource for volunteers of youth horse clubs like 4-H, FFA and Pony Club. This progressive series of lessons offers equine science information, student activities, and techniques to foster positive youth development. This course places emphasis on fostering safe horsemanship skills and sportsmanship in our youth, making it a must for parents with horse crazy kids.
Once you have successfully completed each level, and their associated requirements, you will receive a certificate of completion.
- HALTER Level One
- HALTER Level Two
- HALTER Level Three
- HALTER Level Four
Purchasing and Owning a Horse
My Horse University offers a freeâ¨self-paced, online short course for horse owner newbies or wannabes. This is also a great course for horse crazy kids, parents of horse crazy kids, and horse crazy adults. While most of the topics are geared towards first time horse owners, all can benefit from the refresher course in horse buying and selling, and daily management.
Topics in the short course include:
- Matching horse and rider
- Shopping for a horse
- Behavioral problems to avoid
- Sales contracts
- Pre-Purchase exams
- Facility management
- Basic equine nutrition
- Basic equine health
- Equipment selection
Register now for the FREE Certificate Online Course that best fits your equestrian needs!