Study with us
Get real life experience and qualified to work in the equestrian industry
Learn how to handle and work with horses to meet industry standards for qualifications
One horse riding lesson per day (private or group depending on level of education)
One groundwork training session per day (clicker training, natural horsemanship, liberty and emotional agility work)
Online training portal to review what they are learning in their free time
Learn from our guest industry professionals a wide range of additional skills from Our body worker teaches massage and muscles, equine podiatrist teaches hoof anatomy and shaping, farrier teaches hoof trimming and demonstrations in black smithing, equine dentist teaches about teeth and much more.
Horse husbandry and barn management skills are done daily including washing, grooming, tacking up, feeding, fencing, tack cleaning and any array of jobs that come up on the barn
Intro and Level 1 certificates in horse management and horse riding through Equestrian Australia and certificates through to a diploma available with horse science international.
The equestrian spirit ethos
Horses have a unique way of teaching personal responsibility and a great work ethic that makes learning and working with them feel enjoyable and less like a chore. Horses also require us to have a broad scope of emotional agility and self regulation skills to engage safely with them. If we’re lucky they also have a beautiful way of coregulating and calming as well. When our students learn how much is involved in the daily care and well being of our four legged furry friends they continue to learn the deep respect and work ethic required to care for these animals. As we learn how to train and communicate with our horses the students start to build relationships with the horses that brings out an empathy and personal responsibility for their upkeep and needs that translates in to other areas of their life, study and careers.
getting outside
We love being outside, we get dirty, we work and we play. When I say immersion, I mean it. There is mud, we do camp fires, we build. We create hands on practical, learning experiences in all aspects of barn life activities from building fences to obstacles for our obstacle course, contributing to the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills. Part of building a positive work ethic is making work fun and having an immense sense of accomplishment and task achievement. Whether its rolling round bales, feeding horses or property maintenance our students get stuck in to the work needed and enjoy it! Whilst developing long term life skills.
job readiness skills
We have a strong focus on fostering confidence in sense of self, contribution and independence. We discuss different personal attributes that allow us to work successfully together and build trust in each other.
Topics we cover:
Time management
Taking initiative
Critical thinking
Psychological safety
Personal responsibility
Community and support
Being each others cheer leaders
Positive mindset and reflection skills
Integrity and authenticity
Self compassion
Some extra details
Ideal for children and teens interested in having their own horses, joining the industry as a professional or just obsessed with horses and wanting to learn how to ride. We take students from age 10 (open to conversation about children from age 8)
Every Friday of term 8am - 4pm
Lunch, snacks, sunscreen and water provided
Report cards can be given at the end of the term for home schooling certification
Industry and Education Queensland certificates are available for students from the age of 14.
What our students have to say
My son starting riding lessons with Katie Boniface in early October 2020. He had a number of riding instructors that year and we were searching for an instructor who could build his understanding of the nature of horses, how he could be more responsive and intuitive as a rider and how to care for horses.
My son Wolf just wanted to own and ride horses and develop good horsemanship skills and was unable to find an instructor who would take the time to explain and develop horsemanship skills, not just basic riding technique.
Katie not only built upon Wolf’s love of horses and riding, but fostered a deeper understanding of connecting with horses, riding skills to suit the horse‘s disposition, experience and terrain, as well as caring for and working with a horse on the ground.
Katie guided us with the selection of Wolf’s own horse he now owns and has developed a great relationship with his horse and mastered many riding skills. Katie accepted Wolf’s love of horses and has caringly guided him in his journey ensuring success at every turn.Wendy
My daughter absolutely loves mastery with Katie! She come home every afternoon with a full report on how her day was (certainly not an average school day).
Mastery at Equestrian Spirit provides my daughter with lessons from a great coach plus time spent learning all about horses and how to care for them. Some lessons incorporate demonstrations of vet care and therapies by leading professionals. This allows the kids to learn every aspect and provides them with real knowledge that will prepare them for a profession in the equine industry.
Katie works with the kids to manage goals and encourages them to do homework just like a real school subject.
I cannot recommend Katie’s mastery program enough!Jess
My children love attending mastery for the small group atmosphere, the one on one encouragement and guidance. It has been great for them to learn ‘farm’ skills that will make them responsible landowners in the future.
They are excited to learn more about horses, their behaviour, their anatomy and have loved the visits from specialised horse people. From the farriers to the dentist and remedial massage. They are getting real hands on skills and confidence that they are putting into their everyday interaction with their own horse at home. I love that the focus of all of Katie’s training is around the horse learning to trust the rider and vice versa, through many training techniques – not just simply jumping on and riding.
At the end of the term, Katie provides a ‘report card’, which depicts the child’s progress for the year – it has been so encouraging to see and hear about their improvements through this program.
Katie is a superstar and being able to speak to each of the children with kindness and great leadership – the kids look forward to their weekly, exhausting day at mastery.
El
Our daughter has been a part of the Mastery Program for the past 8 months. We could not be more grateful for the experiences that she has each and every week and are very thankful for finding a wonderful program for her.
From our daughters’ words ( 13 years old) “Not only do you ride the horse, but kids also actually get to take the responsibility of tacking up the horse, grooming, picking out their feet, feeding them all by themselves with supplements, which develops skills in the horse world that they will take on in life. They also do amazing things like horseback archery, practicing horse massage, riding in the dam bareback, experience a farrier, dentist, and vet work, (even getting a turn of that too!). There are so many options open to you in Equestrian Spirit that could take the kids far in life. If you want to learn every little detailabout horses, come here. “
Our daughter comes home every week telling us all about how much you should feed a horse, the types of diseases they can get, all the anatomy of the horse, how to read the horse and what it’s telling you, plus Katie offers a Horse management assessment booklet for you to do to cover all this information and get a certificate.
And finally she says “When you come here you feel so connected with the horses and work as a team”.
Jen