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In September 1992, the University of Limerick opened its doors to a new and unique degree programme in Equine Science. This is the only Equine Science degree programme outside of USA, offering an in-depth focus on Equine Science combined with a delayed choice option in one of the two professional areas of Equitation or Equine Business Management. This course of study, aimed at those students who wish to follow a professional career in the horse industry, has been developed because of the strategic economic importance of the horse and related industries and the consequential need to produce highly qualified personnel with the specialised knowledge to exploit the potential of these industries.
The Irish Horse features in history from time immemorial. Excavations at the Boyne Valley prehistoric site have revealed not only human remains but also evidence of the important role played by horses in Ireland's earliest civilisation.
In Irish history the horse features in the heroic deeds of the Red Branch Knights, through the period of the Celtic Twilight and into modern times. The Celts, who came from continental Europe, were skilled horsemen and introduced to the Irish the pastime of horseracing. This enjoyed huge popularity and led to the eventual emergence of the Thoroughbred. It is significant that 'Byerly Turk', one of the three progenitors of the entire Thoroughbred breed, was ridden as a charger at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 before finally being retired to stud in Ireland.[1]
In Ireland, love of horses and interest in their performance in racing, show jumping and all other forms of equestrian sport, reaches levels unequalled elsewhere in the world. For reasons which have their roots in climate, geology and the millennia of emphasis on agricultural livestock rather than crops, Ireland has reached a quite extraordinary level in the quality of its horses. This is all the more remarkable considering the small scale of the industry in international terms.
Ireland did have a large horse population but it has significantly declined. This was caused mostly by the decline in the population of the "working horses and ponies" category resulting from increased mechanisation of farm work [2]
More recently, there is some evidence of recovery in horse population numbers (Table 2).[3]
The Government has set up The Irish Horse Board to promote and advise on the development of the non-thoroughbred sector. It is now envisaged that this will be structured in the form of an association or co-operative where the breeders and horse owners will work in partnership with Government to re-orientate and revitalise the industry.
There are enormous possibilities for the further development of the Equine Industry in terms of its breeding and export potential, leisure, recreation and tourism opportunities, the establishment of spin-off industries, employment creation and "information and training knowledge transfer to countries developing a racing industry".[4]
The reputation of the Irish Horse derives from a long tradition of natural expertise and innate qualities in the production of horses. These horses are renowned for their great resilience and ability to succeed in international competition which probably derives from the commitment shown by Irish Breeders to steeplechasing, hunting and showjumping. The basic advantages of Ireland are also complemented by a sensible tax regime which has attracted internationally mobile assets (stallions) to Ireland at little or no real cost to the Exchequer.
Irish horses are exported to over 35 countries. Practically all of the world's top races have been won by Irish bred horses and in 1991 alone, the Gold Seal Oaks champion, Jet Ski Lady and the dual Curragh/Epson Derby winner Generous, added to our list of successes. At Chelteham, between 1981 and 1991, Irish Bred horses were among 120 of the 198 winners
In the production of the highest quality of thoroughbred horses, Ireland is consistently able to equal the vastly larger and richer economies of the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Japan. In 1992, thoroughbred export sales accounted for IR£45 million and National Hunt horse export sales netted IR£6 million approx. Some 80% of Irish thoroughbred yearlings are sold to the export market annually. In 1992, Irish horse production comprised 29% (up 7% on 1991) of all thoroughbreds sold at public auctions in Europe.These figures may under-represent the true value of exports as some originating in the Republic of Ireland and exported via Northern Ireland are not recorded as such. A more realistic value might be closer to £90 million.
The thoroughbred sector currently does not obtain the maximum added value possible. One example is that the equivalent sales value to that sold in Ireland, namely £22 million (1992), is sold in the UK by Irish vendors. Ireland could position itself, not only to breed horses, but also to break and ride them before they are actually taken by their owners to countries where they will race or engage in other forms of equine activity. This activity is labour intensive with a high added value content . Ireland produces the Rolls Royce of horses, but unassembled. The horse industry employs approximately 40,000 people. The development of the horse and related industries (most aspects of which are labour intensive), could greatly increase the rate of job creation.
Around 50,000 visitors per annum attend Irish race meetings with about 6,000 who visit explicity for attendance at races or bloodstock sales. In 1989, there were 262 race meetings in Ireland with a total of 1734 races with a total winnings of IR£11,186,500 and 4371 horses. Total attendance at races for 1992 was 1,053,451 (an increase of aggregate attendance of 27,471 on 1991), despite fewer racemeetings (245).
The betting industry in Ireland makes a very important contribution to the National Economy. In 1987, off-course betting tax represented a contribution of IR£19.48 million. In 1991 and in 1992, the figures were IR£30.21 and £32.4 million respectively. During 1992, racegoers wagered a total of £101.25 million. Most commentators on the Racing industry agree on the potential that exists for its development. Killanin [4], believed that "Irish racing is weak in terms of finance and facilities, and that its prospects of developing are poor unless changes are made." A fundamental problem is the generally low standard of education throughout the industry[5].It is essential that the Racing Industry (the display window of thoroughbred breeding) has the highest level of organisation to sustain top-class competitive performance. The new Racing Authority will be addressing this issue. The University of Limerick will contribute significantly to this revival through its undergraduate and post graduate programmes by providing personnel to enter the racing and related industries at managerial levels.
There are 140 listed riding and equestrian centres in Ireland, offering a variety of Equine - related products including equitation, livery, instruction, hunting, etc.[6] The interest in equestrian sports follows increased prosperity. In USA, all American horse breed registration numbers have increased from 62,683 in 1960 to 270,091 in 1985. In Europe, there has also been a dramatic increase with 500,000 or more active riding participants. In 1988, in W. Germany alone there were 2,800 registered riding clubs. Over 1 million people ride horses in Britain. In Switzerland, equestrianism is the third most popular sport nationally.
In 1991, 50,000 overseas holidaymakers participated in Equestrian activities.[7]This resulted in revenue earned on upwards of IR£20 million. The potential to develop this sector of the industry is enormous. Less than 3 in every 100 overseas holiday makers take part in equestrian activities during their stay in Ireland"(ibid). Ireland's universally recognised excellence however is threatened. In the production of thoroughbred horses, with an estimated capital investment of £1000 million[5] , we have held our own, but in the rapidly developing markets for the production of sport and pleasure horses, we have not. There has been a marked decline in exports of half-bred horses from approximately 10,000 in early 1970's to circa 1,500 in 1985. The figure of 1,791 for 1992 with a value of £6 million approximately shows only a slight recovery. Likewise we have not exploited sufficiently the range of opportunities for added-value, tourism and equitation sports generally which would derive from a development of the sport and pleasure horse industry. This situation must be assessed against an increasing rider population averaging 15% per annum in Europe generally. Irish half-bred horse producers have not been able to supply this market. Our major competitors (Holland, France and Germany ) in Sport-Horse production are producing horses at lower costs, higher volumes and levels of sophistication in presentation. The relative sophistication of their selection and breeding programmes also contributes significantly to this situation.
This sector of the industry can be greatly improved on with increased investment in facilities; a significant upgrading in the standards of education and training for personnel employed in the Equine Industry; agressive marketing; and higher and more challenging levels of instruction in Equitation to attract the specialist participant. The new degree programme at the University of Limerick aims, through its graduates, to satisfy this sector of the industry.
As the modern horse industry develops, the level and quality of human expertise required to keep pace with that development becomes critical. Increasingly, higher standards of education and training to enable survival in the competitive world of the horse industry and to satisfy a wider variety of career opportunities, now becomes not only necessary, but essential. Such education and training must blend the very best of tradition, experience and practice with modern science and technology and be subject to internationally recognised validation structures to ensure the highest standards.
The BSc Degree is designed to reflect the identified needs of the horse industry in balance with the necessity for academic rigour and credibility. It is of four years duration and incorporates a major option at the start of year three. The overall aim of the programme is to equip students with degree level competence in the disciplines of Equine Sciences and a choice of professional studies in either the disciplines of Equitation or Equine Business Management. Graduates of the programme are expected to contribute to the continued development of the equine industry through their expertise in research, development and the application of their particular professional skills.
All students undertake common modules for the first three terms providing a strong base in Science (including Equine Science), Equitation and Equine Business Management. This is followed by a period of Co-operative Education in an Equine enterprise which provides the opportunity to exploit and develop the skills that have already been acquired. In years three and four, all students continue to study a range of Equine Science modules and a language elective ( presently French, German, Spanish or Japanese) It is also at this point that students select one of the major options ie., Equine Business Management or Equitation. In addition to the academic programme, a further period of industrial experience (Co-operative Education) spanning years three and four gives the student additional professional experience, either at home or abroad, in their chosen major specialism prior to graduation.
Throughout the programme, students will be brought into contact with the industry. This will be enabled through visits to centres of excellence, through participation in seminars open to all persons from the industry and through "hands-on " experience of handling and riding horses.
Graduates from this programme may choose from a wide variety of career possibilities in areas such as the following:
References:
1. O'Cinneide, B. 1993, The Irish Horse. University of Limerick Case Study Paper.Mr Frank McGourty is Senior Lecturer and Course Director in Equine Sciences. He has research interests in environmental and science education and computer applications in the biological sciences.
2. Beecher, J., 1989 The Irish Horse Industry - unpublished paper. Department of Agriculture and Food Dublin.
3. Agricultural Statistics. CSO, Dublin.
4. Mitchell, M. 1993 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, Dublin.
5. Report to the Minister for Agriculture and Food (1986) on The Irish Thoroughbred Industry (Killanin Report).
McGourty, F.J. 1986, Survey of Educational Needs of the Equine Industry.
6. Irish Field Directory , 1991
7. Bord Failte, Dublin, 1992