The course content is both theoretical as well as practical to give our students a more comprehensive approach to the Equine Industry.  Students work towards an FET (Further Education and Training) certificate in Equine Practices (SAQA ID 71469 – Level 4) as well as SANEF Modules 1, 2, 3 and 4, and  Stud Management and Pasture Management.   Students have the option to further their studies in a second year during which they will be prepared for SANEF Module 5.

Students will attend lectures every day covering all the subjects within the SANEF syllabus, including basic stable management, show turnout, tack, veterinary care, business admin, yard construction etc. Students also attend lectures on Stud Management and also partake in seminars on Stud Management given by our leading local Vet. Pasture Management lectures are given throughout the course and students take part in various projects on this subject. Students also have various lectures with external lecturers on subjects such as farriery, conformation etc. Due to the increasing demand for different types of therapies and schooling methods, we have added some lectures and presentations into the curriculum to cover subjects such as acupuncture, magnotherapy etc, as well as some natural horsemanship methods that are popularly used today, for example Clicker Training, Monty Roberts, Parelli.

Students ride, groom and handle the stud farm horses on a daily basis, and will generally ride every day. They will take part in formal riding lessons which will cover the basic riding principles on the flat and over jumps, according to the student’s riding ability and to the SANEF riding standards. 

In addition students are taught to lunge, show in hand, long rein and work with young horses. They will also be taught to turn horses out for shows to an international level and will participate in shows during the course. Students will also learn about all day-to-day duties of running a stud farm, foal handling, stallion coverings, neo natal foal care etc.

Educational Requirements

Students who apply to the Equestrian Academy must have a National Senior Certificate pass (or the recognised equivalent). They need not have had a huge amount of riding or previous equestrian experience; however some previous riding experience would be advantageous.