Thanks to Equine Guelph’s incredible racing industry education partners, TheHorsePortal.ca will host three racing-exclusive short courses in the winter of 2023 -- free for Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario licensees and Standardbred Canada members (valued at $95). 
 
“We are thrilled to once again offer these valuable short courses on the hot topics of lameness prevention, respiratory health and gut health to the racing industry,” said Gayle Ecker, director of Equine Guelph. “We are also thrilled to welcome back our wonderful industry ambassadors Ruleen Lilley and Renée Kierans.”
 
Trainers, grooms and owners will reap the benefits of learning the latest in equine healthcare through free access to three online courses developed by Equine Guelph to address industry-identified healthcare priorities in racehorses.
 
As Industry Ambassadors, Lilley and Kierans will represent the Standardbred and Thoroughbred sectors, respectively, as peer helpers in all three courses. They will be online to assist course participants, ask practical questions to industry experts on behalf of their sector and encourage lively, robust online discussions between students from the different racing sectors.

Lilley is a partner of Mac Lilley Farms, which boasts more than 50 years in the business of breeding and racing Standardbreds.

“This life has shown us struggles and thrills, and I wouldn’t have chosen any different path,” said Lilley. “What a great learning experience the online courses have been. "We are never too old to learn something new.  I look forward to being your Standardbred Ambassador again.” 

Kierans, Thoroughbred Ambassador, has been involved in the horse racing industry for close to 40 years. She has worn many caps such as exercise rider, pony rider, outrider, starting gate crew, groom school instructor, trainer and owner. She worked for 12 years as an on-air broadcaster and handicapper for Woodbine and Mohawk, covering both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing.

Kierans is excited for the second offerings on TheHorsePortal.ca and has this to say of her first experience: “The three online courses that I was involved in, as ambassador for the Thoroughbreds, were all filled with valuable information that is 'must have knowledge' if you’re dealing with racehorses.”
 
Free racing-exclusive courses in 2023 include:

• Racehorse Injury/Lameness Prevention & Care (Jan. 23 – Feb. 3) – sponsored by Standardbred Canada
• Racehorse Gut Health & Ulcer/Colic Prevention (Feb. 27 – March 10) – sponsored by Standardbred Canada
• Racehorse Respiratory Health (March 20 – 31) – sponsored by Central Ontario Standardbred Association

Sign-up instructions for Standardbred Canada members are available at TheHorsePortal.ca/SC.
 
Sign-up instructions for Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario licensees are available at TheHorsePortal.ca/OR.

Sign-up instructions for Central Ontario Standardbred Association members are available at TheHorsePortal.ca/COSA.
 
Students of the racing courses have shared their experiences:
 
“I could go at my own pace and work around my work schedule and schedule at home with kids."
 
“The language used in videos and articles was very accessible to a lay person, greatly aiding in my ability to understand what was intended to be taught. I also enjoyed having access to the more academically-geared material if I wanted to dig a little more deeply into the subject matter.”
 
“I valued the illustrations, videos and simulations included in the modules and the self-pacing of the course allowed me to spend as much time on a topic as I wanted to fully comprehend it. There were many interesting and useful links embedded in the lessons and the Extra Mile links were often very valuable.”
 
Sponsored by Ontario Racing, Central Ontario Standardbred Association and Standardbred Canada, the three free courses will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 100 to register for each course. For those who have never taken an online course before, no prior online learning experience is required.
 
Equine Guelph offers tuition awards for Ontario racing industry participants. Entries for 2023 tuition award submissions close Nov, 30, 2022.

(With files from Equine Guelph)