Free Equine Behavior and Safety Online Course Offered to Kids Around the World
By: Jackie Bellamy-Zions for Equine Guelph
Equine Guelph, the horse center at the University of Guelph in Canada, has announced it is setting up a free virtual classroom for English-speaking youth around the world. Horse-crazy teenagers (ages 13-17) will have the opportunity to take an online Equine Behavior and Safety course with access open until February 6, 2021 on www.TheHorsePortal.com.
With no specific time to be online, the self-paced on-demand format was developed to be super flexible and user-friendly, a perfect way for youth to fuel their passion and learn more about their favorite animal over the coming COVID-19 second wave months. There is approximately two-week’s worth of material and activities, but with this special free offering, kids can keep coming back as often as they like during the three month period.
Join over 350 students, from around the globe, that have already signed up in November to learn about:
- Horse Behavior – Wild vs Stabled
- How Horses See and Hear
- Herd Behavior – How Horses Interact with Each Other
- Horse Handling – Basic Safety Around Horses
- Rider/Helmet Safety
- Safe Trailering – Basics
- Fire Safety
- Safety around the Barn and Paddocks
- Returning from an Injury
There will be many more points to ponder as students go through a multitude of videos from industry professionals including guest expert: Dr. Rebecca Husted-Gimenez from the United States. As a world-renowned instructor on technical large animal emergency rescue, Gimenez has a wealth of experience when it comes to horse behaviour and safe handling. For more information on Dr. Gimenez please visit the TLAER website.
Valued at $100, this offering will be a game changer for youth learning to speak horse! As such, Equine Guelph asks youth around the world to pass it on! Tell your friends, tell your barn, tell your ‘Ag’ group!
Equine Guelph is also offering a version for adults. The upcoming two-week, online short course is scheduled for November 30 – December 11. One of Equine Guelph’s students from Uganda was recognized by her country’s Olympic committee for the knowledge she gained from taking a previous Horse Behavior & Safety course offering, which could be applied in their equine community. Check out her story!
Equine Guelph thanks its generous sponsors in Canada for making this international youth initiative possible: ESSO, Kubota Canada, Ontario Equestrian, SSG Gloves, System Fencing and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services.
Get all your barn buddies together and sign up today for this awesome opportunity to stay safe and pursue your passion for horses online! Go to www.TheHorsePortal.com for more info.
Equine Guelph is the horse owners’ and care givers’ Centre at the University of Guelph in Canada. It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and well-being of horses, supported and overseen by equine industry groups. Equine Guelph is the epicentre for academia, industry and government – for the good of the equine industry as a whole. For further information, visit www.equineguelph.ca.
