Dear prospective Student,
Thank you for enquiring about the Advanced Horse Behaviour and Management Course.
Drs Frederique Hurly and Hannes Slabbert, assisted by equine professionals working in the field present this certificate course.
The Advanced Horse Behaviour Course is essentially done by correspondence with the compulsory attendance of a two-day seminar/workshop/practical in Gauteng.
Students enrolling for this course must have successfully completed the Basic Horse Behaviour Course. In addition: At the seminar, Students will be required to demonstrate their competence in horsemanship.
Most of the students who enrol for this course work full-time and the course is therefore designed to be done on a part-time basis. Being a private company Ethology Academy is very flexible - as long as students communicate with us we are usually able to accommodate them in various ways.
The content of the Advance Horse Behaviour course is divided into four modules: The modules include the following:
Module One: Training methods, temperament assessment and handling techniques.
• Introduction
• Training methods
• Temperament assessment test
• Welfare of horses
• Social behaviour (groups, relationships, factors influencing rank, social spaces and communication)
Module two: Analysis of case studies of equine behavioural problems
Module three: Behavioural practice management
• Human-animal interaction in practice
• Professionalism and ethics in practice
• Research practice
• Communications skills
Module four: Housing and socialisation:
• Breeding programmes
• Evaluation of stables
• Foal socialisation
It is essential to study the content of the prescribed book and the study material before attending the seminar / workshop. There is an evaluation during the seminar, and the mark will count towards the final mark. During the practical students will do identification of horses, ageing, tack (including basics of saddle fitting), conformation, horse nutrition, stable yard evaluation, and the clinical examination of the horse.
How the course is presented
After enrolling, the student receives all the study material via registered mail. The study material consists of the Ethology Academy study notes and the book ‘The Manual of Horsemanship’. The student Letter will give detailed information on every aspect of the course as well as the theoretical assignments. The assignments will be marked and returned to the students. Students submit assignments electronically. The marks obtained for the assignments constitute the year mark, which will give the student entrance to submit their final case study in November. The seminar is scheduled for 13 and 14 August 2020 in Gauteng and attendance is compulsory. During the year four webinars will be hosted, and students have to attend them. They will be held in the evenings on weekdays, which will enable students who work full time to attend them.
Registration and Course fee
The Course is presented from February to November each year. Registration for this course takes place from 2 January to 28 February 2020. Students may enrol earlier (in 2019). The study material will be posted once proof of payment has been received. The course fee for 2020 is R 10 100. This fee includes the study material, the assignments, webinar and seminar attendance and the final evaluation. Travel to and accommodation at the seminar is not included in the course fee. Students who successfully complete the course receive a certificate.
Distinctions are awarded to students who pass with a mark of 75% or higher.
Final evaluation
The final mark consists of two components.
• On the last day of the seminar the student’s practical knowledge of horses and horse related matters will be assessed by means of a written as well as an oral/practical examination. The assessments during the seminar will contribute 30% of the final mark.
• A final case study submitted by the student during November will contribute 70% of the final mark
To pass the final evaluation requires a fair amount of studying, research, insight and previous horse related experience. Students are therefore advised to start their preparation well in advance for the seminar and the final case study.
How to enrol for this course:
Go to the website www.ethology.co.za
• Click on ‘Enrol"
• Read the ‘Terms of Agreement’
• Complete and submit the enrolment form and financial agreement form
• Pay the appropriate fee
• Provide Dr Frederique Hurly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with confirmation of payment
Do not hesitate to get in touch should you need more information.
Best regards
Dr Frederique Hurly
BVSc, MPhil, MANZCVS
(Veterinary behaviour)
Course administrator, Ethology Academy.