Equine
The equine industry is truly international with a wide range of job opportunities enabling graduates to travel around the world and enjoy challenging careers.
Despite the recent economic challenges, the equine industry continues to be a significant employer. Ireland is one of the top nations in the world’s equine industry and Irish horses, riders, jockeys, trainers and owners regularly succeed at the highest international levels. Data provided by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Horse Racing Ireland and Horse Sport Ireland (2008-10) indicate that together the TB and Sports Horse sectors and ancillary businesses employ approximately 35,000 people on a full-time and part-time basis. The Irish Thoroughbred industry is worth €902 million each year and there are over 9,500 registered Thoroughbredbreeders. On the Sport horse side there are over 12,000 breeders.
In the UK it is estimated that over £2500 million is spent on equine services and products annually. There are over 1 million horses and ponies, 18,000 equine businesses and approximately 250,000 jobs in the UK equine sector. In addition 5 million people who go racing, 4.3 million ride horses and 11 million who have some interest in horses.
The latest study in NI indicates that there were 35,600 horses and ponies, with an estimated £110 million spent on goods and services, creating 5,660 full-time job equivalents, excluding those jobs in the ancillary sector.
Enniskillen Campus aims to produce students with the ability to succeed in a wide range of careers within the equine industry. Our courses develop both academic and practical skills thus ensuring greater versatility and increased employment opportunities.
We currently provide the widest range of courses in Equine Studies in Ireland; courses which have been developed through balancing the needs of the industry with the career aspirations of students. Our aim is to assist the development of a competitive equine industry and give the students an insight into the many different local and international equine related opportunities available.
Enniskillen Campus facilities
Equine courses offered at Enniskillen Campus include a strong practical dimension availing of the excellent equestrian resources and facilities. The Campus owns a number of Thoroughbred and Sport Horse mares and young stock which provide students with hands-on experience in the routine care and management of breeding stock.
The campus racing unit enables students to care for racehorses on a daily basis and participate in point-to-point racing. Facilities include stabling for 14 horses, a horse walker, a racehorse simulator, an indoor arena, an all-weather turnout, gallops and a race training track.
The equitation unit at Necarne Castle provides students with the opportunity to develop practical riding skills and experience “best practice” management of a sport horse enterprise. The 160 hectare estate comprises a cross-country and steeplechase course as well as stabling facilities for 80 horses, a horse walker, all-weather turnout facilities, indoor and outdoor arenas, grass arenas and a point-to-point course.
