In corporate jobs professional development is expected. Most companies cover the cost of continuing education and give the appropriate time off to pursue additional training from a few hours to a full day or longer.
Boarding stable managers and professional trainers sometimes feel that they don’t have the luxury of time or finances to invest in themselves. However, clients look to you as an expert, both as a horse person and a businessperson.
Accessing education and advice has never been easier. Here are five ways you can access information online.
- Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): These online college classes focus on a specific topic and don’t require enrollment in a degree program. One example is the University of California Davis’ Equine Welfare and Management. The self-paced course is 100% online and provides a certificate of completion.
- Webinars: Live webinars offer an opportunity to interact with speakers and other attendees. This offers diverse perspectives on business best practices and trends in training or horse care.
- LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn has a massive video library—16,000+ expert-led courses—to choose from. Although not horse specific, many courses focus on skills any business owner needs.
- College courses: Increasingly, universities and colleges are offering access to online courses. It’s possible to earn a business degree in a format that is accessible at the barn during breaks.
- Coaching: Take your business to the next level by hiring a business coach. Having a third-party, objective coach can help you explore your future dreams and plans and digs into business challenges, including interacting with staff and clients.
As a bonus tip, don’t forget that the Certified Horsemanship Association has a large library of online courses for certification.
The horse industry is always changing and is competitive. Continued learning helps you set yourself apart from other stable owners and trainers. From staying on top of advancements in horse care to budgeting and marketing, there is always something to be learned that can make an equine business run more efficiently.
