Treasa

I am currently completing a course in Munster Technological University Kerry, BSc in Veterinary Bioscience. This course is a relatively new course but ties into a lot of my interests of my every day life which is equine related.

Working as a stud hand mainly required me to show good physical abilities and have excellent stamina and strength, but more importantly hold great communication skills, work well as a team and use exceptional initiative when the opportunity arises.

I started working in Coolmore Stud in February 2022 just when the season was beginning where mares were prepped for stallion coverings and foals were introduced to the busy stud farm enviroment. I was part of a team of 3 people where we cared for 30+ mares and foals every day. Although every day was very busy and physically demanding, staying professional and efficient was essential. This ethiquette continued when the mare and foal season ended and I was introduced into the yearling season. Caring and looking after the yearlings was challenging along with the breaking and training of them daily, yet it was a very rewarding experience. The professional aspect of these enviroments continued even when visiting other yards across Ireland that I came across when, for example, I was transporting a mare to a stallion covering or transporting a yearling to its next stage in training in a racing yard.

*Worked with mares and foals, predominantly during foaling and covering seasons. *Worked with weanlings. *Worked with stallions. *Worked with yearlings, including the breaking of the yearlings. *Worked as part of a team of 3 people at a large scale yard with 30 mares and foals cohabiting it during the season, ensuring working as a team was essential. *Completing basic tasks in a yard such as mucking out quickly yet thorughly and keeping the yard tidy and accessible at all times.

I have lots of experience riding horses as I have owned and ridden horses from a very young age. My main interest at the begining was showjumping and eventing with young horses. This branched into hunting with local harriers on the weekends, again with young, inexperienced horses. I then broadened my interests when i began to work with thoroughbreds and started riding as a yard jockey in a racing yard. This involved riding on gallops and doing flat work with yearlings and two-year olds.

I have never really been involved in organising competitions in the equine environment as this does not really come up much in the racehorse industry where my interest is predominantly. Even though the previous statement is the case in my situation, working as a competition groom could perhaps be seen to be similar to preping racehorses for sales or racedays. This I do have experience in and although it can be very challenging and time sensitive, the results can be very rewarding.