the Horse in Sweden – more important than you think

Around fifty veterinarians have successfully completed
the three-year horse-specialist training programme run
by ATG Horse Clinics.
Educational opportunities For the horse industry to
continue developing and for Sweden to retain its international
competitiveness and high standard of animal welfare,
a continued supply of well-educated and competent
personnel will be required.
Courses at SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)
Veterinarian
A 5 1/2 year long vocational training must be undertaken
to become a certified vet. The Swedish Society
of Veterinary Medicine has developed a three-year
educational programme specialising in the horse.
Studies can be carried out at the ATG Horse Clinics,
for example.
Domestic animal agronomist
The domestic animal agronomist programme is a 4 1/2
year long programme at SLU. Domestic animal agronomists
ensure that animals (amongst them the horse)
used in food-production and sport and those kept as
domestic animals are tended satisfactorily.
Equine study programme
The Equine study programme is a two-year programme
with three lines: Riding teacher, Stable manager
and trotting and horse racing. The courses run at
state facilities in Wången, Flyinge and Strömsholm.
Animal carer
The animal carer programme is a two-year course
mixing the theoretical and the practical. The animal
carer works under a veterinarian or independently
with domestic animals and horses.
Some educational paths to working with horses
Farriery training
Farriery training is a two-year course mixing the
theoretical and the practical. The programme meets
the certification standard set by the Swedish Board
of Agriculture.
Övriga
Upper secondary schools
There are 40 or so agricultural colleges providing basic
horse studies. All pupils are prepared towards passing
the entry test for a diploma in horse managment.
Private education
There are a great variety of private courses and
training programmes, covering everything from individually
tailored riding programmes to horse-massage,
chiropractic, farriery etc.
Further education
Hästsportens Folkhögskola (Folk High School for
Horse Sports) in Strömsholm offers vocational training
courses and Kom Vux (Municipal Adult Education)
amongst others, offer supplementary adult education
courses. SLU offer further education courses in subjects
such as breeding, feeding, health, constructionwork
and more.
The horse in Sweden – more important than you think 23