ABOUT 60 horse-loving VCE students spent the day at NMIT’s Northern Lodge last Wednesday to learn about the TAFE’s equine courses.

In the picturesque setting of the Eden Park lodge, the students watched farriery demonstrations, rode real and mechanical horses, and were given a lecture in horse anatomy.

NMIT’s community liaison co-ordinator, Lois Carlton, said the day had been organised to promote the range of equine courses the TAFE had to offer, particularly the new equine degree course.

“The degree program is written with industry in mind. So it’s been well supported and encouraged by industry too,” Ms Carlton said.

Ms Carlton said the degree program, which operates from NMIT’s Epping campus and the Northern Lodge, had a strong emphasis on stud management and the breeding and caring for stock.

Students from around Victoria, including Lakes Entrance and Kyneton, attended the day, along with local students from Whittlesea Secondary College, Parade College, Ivanhoe Grammar’s Mernda campus and St Monica’s.

Although some students took an interest in looking at open horse limbs in the anatomy class, riding the mechanical horse seemed to be the most popular activity of the day. “The farriering bit was interesting too because I didn’t know much about that,” said Year 11 Whittlesea Secondary student Bianca Barnard.