Abbeygale
Well-Known Member
Charem I was there as a student doing an HND in addition to the other quals. I just did a lot of volunteering lol 
What do they teach them at collage.
- Thread starter LauraWheeler
- Start date
Moomin1
Well-Known Member
I have a BSc Equine Science and Management from a large agricultural college and it's not worth the paper it's written on!! There were some people there who had never mucked out before they started the course!
The science part was in line with the University which it was linked with, and many of our lectures were held with students doing biochem, microbiol, pharmacology etc so that wasn't too bad, but even so the degree was rubbish!!
I had a great time though partying and would fully recommend it!
The science part was in line with the University which it was linked with, and many of our lectures were held with students doing biochem, microbiol, pharmacology etc so that wasn't too bad, but even so the degree was rubbish!!
I had a great time though partying and would fully recommend it!
Sparkles
Well-Known Member
Hey I was at college
I got VERY good at shots and mixers I'll have you know!!! AND taking riding examinations whilst under the influence still and a few nights of no sleep [rather that than with a hangover....]
I got VERY good at shots and mixers I'll have you know!!! AND taking riding examinations whilst under the influence still and a few nights of no sleep [rather that than with a hangover....]
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
We are looking for a new member of staff at the yard I work at and we've had a couple of people come for a trial day who have been to a nearby equine collage.
But they can't muck outI have to go round and redo the stables
I never went to collage and lurnt on the job and judging by the examples of students i'm seeing I'm glad I did my training on the job
Don't get me wrong they are lovely girls who have been coming up and i'm shore they could do the job (It's only mucking out and sweeping) But I don't have time to teach them. I show them how to do one stable but they just don't get it.
But it's left me wondering. What do they actualy teach you at collage?
Or maybe it's just the one near us
Ok, so what is the hourly wage?
And what qualifications and experience did you ask for in the job description and person specification?
S
littlemisslauren
Well-Known Member
I am quite experienced in this field
Equine Colleges can be a brilliant start to the equine industry for the students who are genuinely interested.
For those who aren't it is just an opportunity to doss about, do their hair and smoke.
The times students are given to do simple tasks is FAR longer than expected in the industry, but they have to learn somewhere. Some students start not knowing how to muck out at all, so they need adequate time to learn and develop the skills needed to speed up.
I think it is important that prospective employers look at the level of course any 'future college employees' have completed, I would only expect a decent groom to be the product of the higher level courses.
Colleges have their hands tied with red tape and health and safety these days.... remember that!
Equine Colleges can be a brilliant start to the equine industry for the students who are genuinely interested.
For those who aren't it is just an opportunity to doss about, do their hair and smoke.
The times students are given to do simple tasks is FAR longer than expected in the industry, but they have to learn somewhere. Some students start not knowing how to muck out at all, so they need adequate time to learn and develop the skills needed to speed up.
I think it is important that prospective employers look at the level of course any 'future college employees' have completed, I would only expect a decent groom to be the product of the higher level courses.
Colleges have their hands tied with red tape and health and safety these days.... remember that!
Littlelegs
Well-Known Member
Charem- so agree on the h&s. So much time is spent with 'first secure the horse in a safe & suitable manner' when in rl it just doesn't work like that. Bhs & nvq's are the same tho. My exam worries were based on remembering the h&s stuff!
Ealana
Well-Known Member
Hi there,
I can't speak for all colleges, however at Oatridge (where I'm doing the HNC) every equine students from all the courses has to do a weeks 'duties' every 6 weeks or so. It is basically yard working including mucking out feeding etc etc supposed to give students the chance of working in a 'work-like' place. However, they're are always some better, or more efficient, than others. It is especially found in those that do not have previous horsey experience where they are not taught or monitored in their work.
It is really quite irritating when you have someone doing a course, let alone going into work, that cannot muck out properly.
x
I can't speak for all colleges, however at Oatridge (where I'm doing the HNC) every equine students from all the courses has to do a weeks 'duties' every 6 weeks or so. It is basically yard working including mucking out feeding etc etc supposed to give students the chance of working in a 'work-like' place. However, they're are always some better, or more efficient, than others. It is especially found in those that do not have previous horsey experience where they are not taught or monitored in their work.
It is really quite irritating when you have someone doing a course, let alone going into work, that cannot muck out properly.
x
Elf On A Shelf
...
What do they teach them? From the ones we get on work experience I have garnered the following opinion:
They are arrogant, self-centered, pompous, self-assured of their own greatness, riding ability and intelligence - and in actual fact they are the most useless, bone idle eejits I have ever come across.
Some believe that because they are at college that they are better than everyone else. Eh naw! We break them down, reshape them and send them back new people in the space of a week.
I never went to college and from what I have seen I am so incredibly glad I didn't! Though if I were to go I wouldn't chose a horse course. Give me experience over qualifications any day!
Oh! And see the amount of colleges that teach the Left and Right hand side of a horse rather than Near or Off - How the hell did they get to teach anyone anything?!?!?!?!?!
They are arrogant, self-centered, pompous, self-assured of their own greatness, riding ability and intelligence - and in actual fact they are the most useless, bone idle eejits I have ever come across.
Some believe that because they are at college that they are better than everyone else. Eh naw! We break them down, reshape them and send them back new people in the space of a week.
I never went to college and from what I have seen I am so incredibly glad I didn't! Though if I were to go I wouldn't chose a horse course. Give me experience over qualifications any day!
Oh! And see the amount of colleges that teach the Left and Right hand side of a horse rather than Near or Off - How the hell did they get to teach anyone anything?!?!?!?!?!
Ibblebibble
Well-Known Member
Hey I was at college
I got VERY good at shots and mixers I'll have you know!!! AND taking riding examinations whilst under the influence still and a few nights of no sleep [rather that than with a hangover....]
hahaha sounds similar to when i went to college, grassland management lessons were usually spent snoozing and just waking up and saying 'Timothy' to any grass related questions
oh the wonderful fuzzy memories i have of collegein all honesty i think so many of the courses these days, and not just equine ones, have been 'dumbed down' to ensure that no one can fail, makes a mockery of those who do work hard and want to succeed
Sparkles
Well-Known Member
hahaha sounds similar to when i went to college, grassland management lessons were usually spent snoozing and just waking up and saying 'Timothy' to any grass related questions
in all honesty i think so many of the courses these days, and not just equine ones, have been 'dumbed down' to ensure that no one can fail, makes a mockery of those who do work hard and want to succeed
I did work hard in all fairness, I just didn't find it 'hard', just more common sense really. I did my stage 3 plus various other extras on top too - not essential, but some were handy extras to have for legislation anyway such as the new travelling one. Only really things which I did feel improved drastically, were the riding side of it, as I got to take part in a lot competing, teams, a couple of lessons a day plus extra riding on the green or problem ones in spare time, and academy with some top dressage coaches etc. I'll admit my riding has gone downhill if anything since leaving!
madgeymoo
Well-Known Member
absolutley nothing how to not be practical
been to college found people don't no how to put a rug on, muck out, lead a horse let alone brush one properly? now at uni and they still dont no how to muck out or sweep properly.... unless you need qualifications it a load of rubbish rather work and learn on the job as what taught at college is not how you do it on a succesful competition yard.
how to not be practical been to college found people don't no how to put a rug on, muck out, lead a horse let alone brush one properly? now at uni and they still dont no how to muck out or sweep properly.... unless you need qualifications it a load of rubbish rather work and learn on the job as what taught at college is not how you do it on a succesful competition yard.
Ella19
Well-Known Member
I've seen both sides. I was a student at Moreton Morrell. A science degree student, we didn't have to do yards which was probably a blessing as many on my course would have never mucked out before, but they didn't need to as this was a science degree. I had worked as head girl on a showing yard for 4 years previously (part time during school term and full time in holidays). I had the practical experience, but it used to fustrate me that the horses standard of care was not up to my standards.
It gradually got worse over the time I was there, when I first started we were expected to turn banks and full muck out, had rigourous inspections and everything was hayed, watered and mucked out in an hour (granted we only had 2-3 horses!). By my second year they changed to flax or straw and we no longer turned the banks (I had a pony on loan and used to watch the students and staff in daily battles). The thrid year I was yard staff, as my placement fell through the day before I was due to start. Well, this year we swapped to deep litter, no choice of bedding but flax so that is all they know how to "skip" out. No beds were checked after yards were supposedly done, let alone rugs, hay and waters. I think the kids I looked after thought I was awful compared to the other staff as I would go and check, it was a hopeless battle though as by this stage we, as staff, were not allowed to fine students or keep them later as they HAD to attend classes. I even had one girl come up and ask me what she was meant to sweep the yard with, when I sarcastically answered ( I know I shouldn't have!) a body brush off she toddled with one to start (I did put her right in the end). 4th year was even worse, now they had one group in the morning to hay and water and then another group in to skip out at 10am. There was winging and complaining that this was too much work. So yes Laura I do feel for you. Good luck in finding your equine student!
It gradually got worse over the time I was there, when I first started we were expected to turn banks and full muck out, had rigourous inspections and everything was hayed, watered and mucked out in an hour (granted we only had 2-3 horses!). By my second year they changed to flax or straw and we no longer turned the banks (I had a pony on loan and used to watch the students and staff in daily battles). The thrid year I was yard staff, as my placement fell through the day before I was due to start. Well, this year we swapped to deep litter, no choice of bedding but flax so that is all they know how to "skip" out. No beds were checked after yards were supposedly done, let alone rugs, hay and waters. I think the kids I looked after thought I was awful compared to the other staff as I would go and check, it was a hopeless battle though as by this stage we, as staff, were not allowed to fine students or keep them later as they HAD to attend classes. I even had one girl come up and ask me what she was meant to sweep the yard with, when I sarcastically answered ( I know I shouldn't have!) a body brush off she toddled with one to start
(I did put her right in the end). 4th year was even worse, now they had one group in the morning to hay and water and then another group in to skip out at 10am. There was winging and complaining that this was too much work. So yes Laura I do feel for you. Good luck in finding your equine student!
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LauraWheeler
Well-Known Member
Ella19 thats shocking No wonder the poor girls we've had up are like they are if thats what goes on at there collage.
I wouldn't call the girls who came up lazy. They just didn't have a clue how to do even the simplest task. I even had to sugest to one that it would be easyer to muck out a straw box with a pitchfolk rather than a shavings folk
I'm shore they would lurn how to do the job if they were on a yard who had time to train them but I have 2 1/2 hours to get everything done. It's just a shame they leave college with these qualifications which in truth mean nothing It must be a shock for them to enter the real world. I wonder how many end up giving up and getting a diffrent job as they had no idea how hard it realy is out here
No wonder the poor girls we've had up are like they are if thats what goes on at there collage. I wouldn't call the girls who came up lazy. They just didn't have a clue how to do even the simplest task. I even had to sugest to one that it would be easyer to muck out a straw box with a pitchfolk rather than a shavings folk
I'm shore they would lurn how to do the job if they were on a yard who had time to train them but I have 2 1/2 hours to get everything done. It's just a shame they leave college with these qualifications which in truth mean nothing It must be a shock for them to enter the real world. I wonder how many end up giving up and getting a diffrent job as they had no idea how hard it realy is out here 
Tnavas
Well-Known Member
Don't think you'll ever get better than the good old working pupil from a good competition/exam yard.
Ella19
Well-Known Member
The same for turnout for both equine and human. 1st year immaculate, if your top button was undone on your shirt or your tie not pulled tight then you were sent out of the lesson. Same for the horse, any stable stains or dirty tack you were thrown out to put it right. God forbid if you didn't skip your stable out, you would have been dragged off your horse and humiliated.
By final year they lost the shirt and tie in favour of polo shirts and you could have any colour jods as long as they weren't patterned, this meant pink and purple. Horses were entering lessons with huge stable stains on them, not brushed, feet full of bedding and tails and manes not brushed. Tack had a cursory wipe but was no longer inspected after use. Stables were still mentioned but you didn't have to think about doing it until after your lesson.
By final year they lost the shirt and tie in favour of polo shirts and you could have any colour jods as long as they weren't patterned, this meant pink and purple
. Horses were entering lessons with huge stable stains on them, not brushed, feet full of bedding and tails and manes not brushed. Tack had a cursory wipe but was no longer inspected after use. Stables were still mentioned but you didn't have to think about doing it until after your lesson. ThePony
Well-Known Member
If the ones I stable with and experience through work are anything to go by, then they are bloomin' useless! Wether they went to college more useless and the college actually did well, or if that is how they teach them I don't know!! Not just an inability to understand basic equine principles and do basic tasks to a beginner level, but this is coupled with an absolutly shocking 'know it all' attitude. They don't do their colleges any good going about like that. In all fairness though, some are well spoken and present themselves well, but that just isn't good enough if an animals welfare is left in their hands! I'm sure there are those that work hard and have high standards that also attend these learning institutions, sadly I've not yet met one! (these aren't little new colleges that might be finding their feet, they are two of the most well known and regarded colleges in the UK lol!)
Piglet
Well-Known Member
Call me old fashioned, but, I do think that some of the Colleges do not really prepare their students for how hard graft working with horses really is. A friend of mine went as a Working Pupil about 26 years or so ago to a stud, she stayed in a leaky caravan, survived on pot noodles and toasted sandwiches, shovelled s**t all day, worked herself until she was half dead was riding several really ropey, dangerous freaky horses every day and her parents PAID for the privilege
Fast forward and now days students go to lovely Colleges, central heating, running water, showers, comfy beds and good well cooked meals, well schooled horses in a controlled sterile environment, luxury stables all under cover etc etc. As a result, some of the students do not come out with a realistic view on how gritty, time consuming etc of been a groom can be. Due to Health and Safety, there don't seem to be any tricky and sometimes lethal horses to ride so when they come out into the outside world and placed on mega fit competition/hunting TBs etc they are unable to cope. Admittedly I never went to Equine College, but I know of several people who did and they don't really fathom how blinkin' hard working with horses really is, also I know several horses which have at some point been expelled from the College 'cos they were not suitable ie. were sharp or quirky but nothing that the students would not come across when they go to their yards.
Admittedly there are always going to be exceptions to the rules in both Colleges and students.
Fast forward and now days students go to lovely Colleges, central heating, running water, showers, comfy beds and good well cooked meals, well schooled horses in a controlled sterile environment, luxury stables all under cover etc etc. As a result, some of the students do not come out with a realistic view on how gritty, time consuming etc of been a groom can be. Due to Health and Safety, there don't seem to be any tricky and sometimes lethal horses to ride so when they come out into the outside world and placed on mega fit competition/hunting TBs etc they are unable to cope. Admittedly I never went to Equine College, but I know of several people who did and they don't really fathom how blinkin' hard working with horses really is, also I know several horses which have at some point been expelled from the College 'cos they were not suitable ie. were sharp or quirky but nothing that the students would not come across when they go to their yards.
Admittedly there are always going to be exceptions to the rules in both Colleges and students.
PandorasJar
Well-Known Member
I've seen both sides. I was a student at Moreton Morrell. A science degree student, we didn't have to do yards which was probably a blessing as many on my course would have never mucked out before, but they didn't need to as this was a science degree. I had worked as head girl on a showing yard for 4 years previously (part time during school term and full time in holidays). I had the practical experience, but it used to fustrate me that the horses standard of care was not up to my standards.
It gradually got worse over the time I was there, when I first started we were expected to turn banks and full muck out, had rigourous inspections and everything was hayed, watered and mucked out in an hour (granted we only had 2-3 horses!). By my second year they changed to flax or straw and we no longer turned the banks (I had a pony on loan and used to watch the students and staff in daily battles). The thrid year I was yard staff, as my placement fell through the day before I was due to start. Well, this year we swapped to deep litter, no choice of bedding but flax so that is all they know how to "skip" out. No beds were checked after yards were supposedly done, let alone rugs, hay and waters. I think the kids I looked after thought I was awful compared to the other staff as I would go and check, it was a hopeless battle though as by this stage we, as staff, were not allowed to fine students or keep them later as they HAD to attend classes. I even had one girl come up and ask me what she was meant to sweep the yard with, when I sarcastically answered ( I know I shouldn't have!) a body brush off she toddled with one to start
I went to an animal college for welfare and behavioural studies. Theory lessons were good, and some practicals however we ended up having a mass protest with the principal as our welfare standards didn't match what we were learning.
Staf at animal centre were appalling and conditions awful.
Pan
noodle_
Well-Known Member
i can muck out, do waters, fill 2 (double) haynets, do feeds in 20 mins flat... (proper bed no matting)!
20 mins - not 2 hours......
I dont mess about chatting - get my jobs done and spend time with my horse.
I personally would take experience over qualifications anyday.
20 mins - not 2 hours......
I dont mess about chatting - get my jobs done and spend time with my horse.
I personally would take experience over qualifications anyday.