More products

New Zealand Certificate in Equine Skills (Level 2)

ENROL NOW
If you want to kickstart your career with horses or upskill to take better care of your own, the NZ Certificate in Equine Skills L2 course is for you.

Over 13 weeks of fulltime study you will learn how to safely and confidently handle and care for horses via a combination of classroom learning, practical lessons, guest speakers and field trips.

The 160 hours of work placement across two settings (thoroughbred stud farm and racing stable) gives you the experience necessary to gain an entry level role in a commercial equine operation.

Run out of the beautiful Byerley Park campus in Kingseat, South Auckland, this course has you right in the heart of the northern thoroughbred industry. The exceptional facilities, dedicated teaching horses and professional staff give you the horse handling abilities and the life skills to pursue a successful career with horses.

It’s fun, it opens you to the opportunities out there and it provides a pathway to pursue your passion.


No horse experience required and onsite rental accommodation available via Byerley Park.
  • Location: Kingseat, South Auckland
  • Intakes: March & September 2026
  • Study duration: 13 weeks, full time, Monday - Friday

Total credits: 50


Eligibility:

  • New Zealand Resident or citizen
  • No academic requirements. Open entry
  • Must has a reasonable level of fitness
  • No horse experience required

Career opportunities:

Stud hand, stable hand, riding school assistant, groom.


Further study opportunities:

Graduates from this course have gone on to complete the NZ Certificate in Equine Skills L3 (raceday strapper and trackwork rider strands), NZ Jockey Apprenticeship, Large Animal Vet Tech, NZ Certificate in Equine Breeding (L3 & L4).


The topics covered are:

  • Signs of good and poor health in horses
  • Skills for employment in the equine industry
  • Routine care of horses in stables and yards
  • Preparing horses for travel, loading and unloading
  • Preparing thoroughbred racehorses for exercise and providing aftercare
  • Routine, minor or temporary maintenance of equine facilities