Equine Guelph has announced that an unprecedented seven online short courses developed by Equine Guelph will be offered for free to Ontario racing industry members beginning in February this year.

AGCO license holders will be able to reap the benefits of learning the latest in equine healthcare from industry experts in a series of upcoming relevant online courses. Three of the seven courses have been specifically designed for and will be offered exclusively to members of the Ontario racing industry.

The short courses deliver common sense, practical approaches on hot topics identified by the three racing sectors. The topics for the courses for exclusive offer to the horse industry were listed as top priorities according to the 2016 Ontario Horse Racing Industry Survey – respiratory, lameness and gut health.

Gut Health & Colic Prevention will be offered in an exclusive course just for AGCO license holders, March 11 – 29, before the 2019 racing season gears up. Digestive issues can do more than hinder performance; they can be a real health threat, with colic being the number one killer of horses other than old age and over 70 per cent of racehorses suffering from ulcers. Past students of this course report changing their management strategies to optimize health, prevent colic and other digestive disturbances and support performance.

The next two industry-requested courses exclusive to the Ontario Racing industry will be rolled out in the winter of 2020: addressing racehorse respiratory health and injury/lameness.

“Students of The Horse Portal repeatedly comment on the ease of use and intuitive nature of the courses, even if they have never taken an online course before,” says Equine Guelph Director Gayle Ecker. “Those who have taken online learning in the past are impressed with the highly interactive components, lively discussion groups and access to top quality instructors and guest speakers available to answer their questions.”

The first three offerings in this amazing series free to the Ontario Racing Industry will be:

Equine First Aid
Feb 25 - Mar 4

Gut Health & Colic Prevention (EXCLUSIVE TO RACING)
Mar 11 - 29

Fire & Emergency Preparedness
Apr 8 – 15

The free offerings for the Ontario Racing Industry will be first-come-first-served to the first 100 to register for each course. Open to trainers, assistant trainers, grooms, jockeys, drivers and other current AGCO license holders.

Register at www.TheHorsePortal.ca/RacingPilot

Equine Guelph thanks the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for providing education, training and awareness project funding in support of AGCO licensees. Course partners include: Grand River Agricultural Society, Intercity Insurance, Meaford Fire Department Training Centre, Ontario Association of Equine Practitioners, Ontario Equestrian, Ontario Racing, Standardbred Canada and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services.

Sign up for Equine Guelph monthly e-communications and be the first to know when registrations open for each offering.

(Equine Guelph)