Equine Careers including steps to develop more diversity and inclusivity in the equine industry; free online CPD training

DEVELOPING MORE

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY

The Royal College of better understand barriers to better recruitment practices and Veterinary Surgeons veterinary professions; and encourage people to call out (RCVS) has published its working with organisations that poor examples. Diversity & Inclusion Group support applications from Retention and support within (DIG) Strategy, setting out individuals of diverse the professions: strengthening how it will work to help create backgrounds. standards regarding staff veterinary professions where Retention and support within support within the Practice everyone can flourish and vet and VN education: updating Standards Scheme; encouraging which have no place for veterinary school standards to members of the veterinary team discrimination. reflect diversity and inclusion to attend diversity and inclusion The Strategy takes a holistic aspirations; implementing training; producing materials approach and its six work- suggestions made during recent that support difficult streams consider how the RCVS the RCVS and Veterinary Schools conversations; and, and other organisations that Council Roundtable for Black, strengthening the RCVS Code of form the membership of the DIG Asian and Minority Ethnic Professional Conduct to enable can work to improve diversity (BAME) veterinary students and more confident reporting of and inclusion holding a poor behaviours. within the similar event for Organisational policies and veterinary “...If we are losing BAME student procedures: RCVS and other professions at colleagues to veterinary organisations within the DIG all stages –from school-age discrimination or just nurses; and developing clear ensuring their policies promote and support diversity and children who not attracting people reporting inclusion; developing a toolkit may be from diverse systems and to better support in-house considering a career in the backgrounds in the first support for those who conversations around diversity; and encouraging veterinary veterinary place because they suffer from organisations to have regular professions, to think it’s ‘not for people discrimination discussions around diversity and engendering positive culture like them’, then we are during extramural studies inclusion and visible statements of intent. change for losing out as a (EMS). Culture change: improving the those already in profession...” Recruitment diversity of governance/ the professions. within the leadership within the veterinary The six strategic profession: professions; ensuring diversity work-streams, with examples of encouraging veterinary and inclusion is included in associated activities within each, organisations and workplaces to agendas at events, within CPD are: take up recruitment awards/ programmes etc; and enabling Recruitment to veterinary/ standards eg Stonewall, Race at organisations to have, via the veterinary nurse education and Work, and Disability Confident; RCVS Diversity and Inclusion training: developing case helping employers understand Group, a safe space to discuss studies, ambassadors and the business, moral and societal progress and identify where they careers materials for school-age case for diversity and inclusion; may need further help and children from all backgrounds; and, working with employers to guidance. commissioning research to develop a toolkit to support The RCVS Diversity and Inclusion Group includes representation from the Association of Veterinary Students (AVS), British Veterinary Association (BVA), the British Veterinary Ethnicity & Diversity Society (BVEDS), the British Veterinary LGBT+ Society, the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), the Major Employers Group, the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) and the Veterinary Schools Council (VSC) and will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating progress within the six workstreams on an ongoing basis. Dr Niall Connell, Senior VicePresident of the RCVS and Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Group, said: “I’ve always been of the opinion that making the veterinary professions more diverse and reflective of British society at large, as well as protecting fellow professionals from discrimination, isn’t just a moral issue, but one that actually improves the quality of the profession and the outcomes we are delivering for our clients and patients. “If we are losing colleagues to discrimination or just not attracting people from diverse backgrounds in the first place because they think it’s ‘not for people like them’, then we are losing out as a profession, and if we aren’t drawing on a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and attitudes in our work, then we are also potentially doing a disservice to our patients and clients.”

www.rcvs.org.uk/diversity

PROMOTING DIVERSITY IN EQUESTRIAN INDUSTRY

Linda Greening, Head of Inclusivity at Hartpury, has accepted an invitation to join a new focus group aimed at championing equality and diversity within the equestrian industry.

The BAME Equine and Rural Activities Focus Group (BERF) is committed to driving forward positive ideas and solutions to support members of the BAME community across a range of disciplines at all levels. The group, which has 200 members, was represented by founder and chairperson Sandra Murphy at a recent meeting held by the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) looking at increasing representation and fairness within the industry. Linda Greening aims to contribute to the activity of BERF by ensuring that all members of the group are aware of the opportunities to study subjects linked to equine and rural affairs at degree level. “It is imperative that we empower a generation of BAME equestrians and graduates who can positively contribute to the industry, and beyond, in the future,” said Linda.

LINCOLNSHIRE-BASED SANDRA MURPHY

WINS BLACK BRITISH BUSINESS AWARD

For the seventh year in a row, the BBBAwards celebrated the outstanding achievements of Black British professionals and entrepreneurs, highlighting the community’s commercial contribution to the UK economy and identifying formidable role models and mentors across several sectors.

Sandra Murphy, Founder and Managing Director of Lincolnshire-based Equidiet UK Ltd, was crowned the Consumer and Luxury Senior Leader Winner. With over fifty years of experience in the equine industry, Sandra spotted a gap in the market for a natural fibre liquid feed that nourishes and hydrates horses. Seeking to gain the scientific knowledge to bring this product to life, she decided to undertake an Equine Sports Science degree in 2010 at the University of Lincoln. Sandra has successfully grown her revolutionary equine nutrition business into a global brand. “I’m so excited and humbled to have won the Black British Business Award for Senior Leader Consumer & Luxury 2020, especially during these unprecedented times. I am also the Chairperson for the Bame Equine and Rural Activities Focus group (BERF) and a member of the British Equestrian Federation Equality Engagement group and hope to use this platform to become a role model not only for black equestrians within the equine industry but also for black women and businesses in general. I want to encourage and inspire people to believe they can be successful with a good idea and the right support.”

DIVERISTY, INCLUSIVITY AND HOPE...

DVR Equestrian are inclusive of everyone; from age, body shape and size, ethnicity, ability/disability, and gender. They promote diversity through all their platforms, hoping to improve and encourage inclusivity within the equestrian industry.

International equestrian for Team Jamaica, producer and regular guest teacher at Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, Lydia Heywood, shares DVR Equestrian’s vision for change and a very exciting t-shirt collaboration between DVR and Lydia’s Revolution foundation ‘Cool Ridings’ has been born. The dynamic duo has Tee. RRP: £25 designed and launched the ‘Revolution Tee’, which is made from Certified Fair Wear 100% Organic Cotton. This unisex tee has a centre front print reading ‘Riding the Revolution’, and a powerful paragraph of text on the back with statements like ‘We are here for change’, and ‘Let’s positively push each other to be our whole true selves and nothing but the best.’ Part of the profits from every sale will be going to the Ebony Horse Club and the Cool Ridings Foundation.

www.dvrequestrian.com

BRAND-NEW TRAINING WEBSITE CREATED BY A COLLABORATION OF EQUINE EXPERTS AND SUPPORTED BY BRITISH EQUESTRIAN TRADE ASSOCIATION (BETA) FREE ONLINE CPD TRAINING

Anew online training website tailor-made for the equestrian industry has launched recently. EquiToolz is suitable for anyone involved with horses to boost their skills and give them accredited CPD.

The online training offers a great opportunity to gain confidence, and the free courses include CPD approved training which is highly valued by employers. Not only can employees take charge of their own development, but organisations can use it to train staff, volunteers and members in a more cost-effective way. The content is delivered through videos, audio, interactive questions and attachments. The best bit is you can study at your own pace; elements can be revisited and, if you need to leave mid-way through a section, you can simply pick up where you left off. The flexibility makes it easy to fit into your busy routine and train from your home, college or workplace. When the course is completed, you can print off a certificate as evidence of your newly acquired skills. EquiToolz has been proudly developed by Kirsty Collinson from TrainingToolz, specialising in simple but effective online training toolkits. Kirsty said, “Equine businesses and organisations, including sporting bodies and charities, can access key CPD approved courses for free via EquiToolz which usually they’d have to pay for. This means they can allocate budget to other areas at a time when so many in the sector are struggling financially.” Catherine Morgan, Associate Director, Howden Insurance Ltd said: "It is more important than ever that all businesses have robust health and safety procedures in place, and they are even more vital for equestrian businesses given the high-risk nature of the industry. EquiToolz helps with this by bringing relevant and specific content and training courses to riders and equestrian businesses and organisations." With more courses in the pipeline, Kirsty envisages that EquiToolz will soon be able to offer further training opportunities for everyone, including employers looking for courses on legal compliance, employees looking for professional development, leisure riders, those just starting out with horses, and people in need of a subject refresher. Courses currently available free of charge are: · An Introduction to Parasite Control for Horses · Level 2 Safeguarding Awareness in the Equestrian World · An Introduction to Health and Safety (including Covid-19) for Employers in the Equestrian Industry · Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering in the Equestrian Industry · BETA Body Protectors Awareness Course Also available is training in essential coronavirus precautions. Courses covering riding hat fitting and road safety are to be added soon.

www.EquiToolz.com

Hartpury has announced a new partnership with Racing Welfare to carry out industry-driven research into stable staff injuries and recommend strategies to support injured stable staff to the UK horseracing industry.

Emma Davies, Programme Manager for BSc Equestrian Sports Science at Hartpury University, is leading the project in collaboration with the national horseracing charity to investigate the psychological effects of injuries sustained while working in the UK racing industry. The collaboration will seek to identify employment and psychosocial risk factors of injuries to stable staff working in racing, identify the psychological effects of injuries, and allow the design and implementation of preventative strategies, education and interventions to support staff.

FIVE MINUTES WITH...Hannah Huntsman

Everyone has their own story as to how they fell in love with horses and their entrance into the industry. For me, it was when I was 18-months-old. I sat on my next door neighbour’s horse and I was hooked! Riding around with a bicycle helmet on and one parent on each side. Nothing has come close to my obsession with horses since.

“Growing up I went to various different riding schools and had the opportunity to ride a wide variety of different horses. I am sure many parents can relate to driving their children to and from riding lessons each week, watching them ride around for hours. To me, that lesson was the most exciting event of the week. Having never had my own horse, being able to ride all of these horses was an absolute joy. Horses of all different temperaments, sizes, ages and abilities. That experience is invaluable and I cannot stress enough how much each of those horses taught me. “If I could give anyone one piece of advice it would be this - take every opportunity you can get. As I reached my teenage years, I was offered work experience at multiple different yards, and people offered to let me ride their horses. When I was younger I would turn certain opportunities down due to lack of self-confidence, but now that I am older I take every chance I am offered. I go out there and ask. I’ve had work experience at different yards, dressage studs and public events. Each of these different environments helped me build confidence, taught me valuable skills and are experiences I will never regret. “I am currently studying Equine Performance and Business Management at Writtle University College. A course that has such a variety of modules, preparing you for many sections of the equine industry. Choosing an equine degree, for me, was difficult to begin with. There are so many choices, so many different universities and so many different careers. “I’ve always known that I wanted to do an equine degree and work in the industry but I didn’t know what job exactly. The course I am studying gives me the skills and knowledge to work in a variety of sectors, with the freedom to make that choice for myself. If I decide I want to change my path in the future, this degree allows me to do so. “It has taken me a long time to decide what I want to do as a career. I am still not 100% set on it, but I have multiple ideas in mind. Something I have always enjoyed is the training aspect of horse production, and so the prospect of working in that area

WE MEET HANNAH HUNTSMAN, AN EQUINE STUDENT AT WRITTLE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE IN ESSEX.

is something I look forward to. During the second year of my degree, I worked with a World Horse Welfare 2-year-old gelding, bringing him on in his training and education. The time I spent with this young gelding opened my eyes to the skills and work involved in training. “Another area I am interested in is equine journalism. A contrast to training, I know! Studying a variety of subjects at A-level also allows me skills to fall back on. English A-level was one of my passions, as is writing. The idea of linking equine and English really interests me. Who knows what the future might bring.”

ONLINE PLATFORM: SUPPORTING WOMEN

The Ladies Countryside Community has launched to support, connect and inspire women who live in

the countryside or love a rural way of life. The new social space is designed to help members find friendships, information and inspiration from fellow country-loving ladies. Having missed the camaraderie and inspiration from events in 2020 and unable to find a dedicated online community, Lindsey McDean, an equestrian, was inspired to create one. Lindsey said, “This past year has been tough on us all and I’ve realised how important it is to have a safe space to connect with like-minded women, especially when you live in isolated rural areas.” www.ladiescountrysidecommunity.co.uk

INSPIRED BY BLM: APT CAVALIER RAISES £2,000

Sarah Johnstone, founder of equestrian performance brand Apt Cavalier, completed a challenge of running 117 miles in less than ten weeks, raising £2,115 for Ebony Horse Club.

Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, Sarah selected Ebony Horse Club as the focus of Apt Cavalier’s fundraiser. Ebony Horse Club is located in one of the poorest areas in London, Brixton and believes that young people’s opportunities shouldn’t be limited by the postcode they grew up in or the colour of their skin.

www.aptcavalier.com

Our columnist, Rhea Freeman, has been named as one of Britain’s Top 50 Business Advisers! Well done Rhea!

WORKING WITH HORSES... Best move I ever made!

I’m Christine Wonnacott and I’m an equine sheath cleaner. My path to this career has been a varied one. After leaving school I went to Writtle College and completed a National Diploma in Horse Studies, followed by a BSc Hons in Animal Science. I loved my time at college; the best days of my life (until now!).

“While I studied I had a few part-time jobs which gave me customer service and administration skills that would prove useful in future roles. “My first proper job out of college was as a trainee embryologist in an IVF clinic. This was a fascinating job and I learnt a lot, but after a few years I moved on to pastures new, this time into the education sector, working for a national awarding organisation as a registrations and awards officer. “This was a great company to work for, and over time my role evolved into an IT support role as I am generally an inquisitive person and like to know how and why things work as they do, and more importantly how to fix them when they break - ending up in the IT team was inevitable really. So, fourteen years later I decided that it was time to look for a new challenge, however being sent to work from home for the first lockdown last year, after only three weeks in the new role was very challenging, but ultimately the best thing that could have happened. “I had been thinking about sheath cleaning as a business for some time, but never had the incentive to take the plunge and do it. But there I was; sitting at home all day every day, on my own, struggling. And then it just happened! Before I knew it, I had set up and launched my business, East Anglian Equine Sheath Cleaning, and I’ve never looked back.. “There are stresses with being self-employed; not having the security of a fixed, regular salary coming in is a big one; worrying about times when it seems quiet. But ultimately, I have found working for myself absolutely liberating! For the first time in my life I feel in charge of my own life, not beholden to anyone, not having to ask permission for days off, farrier visits, car repair appointments....the list goes on. And I am working with horses! The one thing I always said I wouldn’t do as horses are my hobby, and I wanted to keep them just that. But now I don’t feel like horses are my work; I just get to spend time doing what I love and that is my fulltime occupation. I now understand the phrase, "Do what you love and you’ll never work another day in your life.” I didn’t believe it before, but now I have found my niche, my passion. If you can find a way to do what you love, go for it, you won’t regret it!”

www.facebook.com/East AnglianEquineSheathCleaning

EDUCATIONS SESSIONS FOR YARD OWNERS

Since its launch in 2010, UK livery yard directory LiveryList has developed to also become

one of the UK’s largest resources for yard owners. At these current times, it is more important than ever to ensure equestrian businesses are viable, credible and sustainable, and LiveryList is offering yards a way to review and change the way their yards are run, and to improve on these factors, by the launch of their not-for-profit Yard Owner Learning Sessions. The sessions are held twice monthly via Zoom, and yard owners can just attend those that are of interest. With uncertainty still on the horizon, many yard owners can take this time to review and reflect on the way they run their yards, ways they can become more streamline, improve the management of their yards and thus help to improve the industry as a whole.

www.liverylist.co.uk