Marcus Oldham blames a decline in interest for cutting the equine program

Students wishing to learn more about the billion-dollar Australian equine business are set to be shut-out of higher education from next year. Here is why.

Australia’s only business-focused tertiary level equine business management course will not be available from next year in a major shake up of the offerings at Victoria’s Marcus Oldham College.

In an email sent today to old collegians, principal Andrew Baker said the college recently made the “major decision to strengthen our focus on agribusiness and agriculture courses in response to growing demand from prospective students”.

“After careful review, the college has also decided to discontinue the equine course (Advanced Diploma of Equine Business Management) at the end of the 2025 academic year,” he said.

“This decision was not made lightly.

“Earlier this year, the college engaged an independent consultant to work with council and staff to evaluate all our programs and provide various options for the future.

“After thorough consideration, the Marcus Oldham Council decided that, given the steady increase in interest and optimism around the agribusiness and agriculture sectors, and the long-term decline in equine course enrolments, the best path forward is to concentrate our resources where we see the most demand and opportunity.”

Mr Baker said the achievements of the equine graduates in the 45 years it had been offered, had brought “great pride to the college and built a legacy that will not be forgotten”.

In agribusiness, he said Marcus was “excited about the potential to expand into smaller, more focused classes which will allow us to provide a better educational experience”, transferable to a multiple of industries.

The news has been met with sadness by former students, who say there are now fewer options for young people wanting to work in the equine industries.

Lisa Sheen graduated in 2006 from the Equine Business Management course and went on to ride for Warmblood studs, and now works in a management position on a station near Hillston, NSW.

“It is really sad because in a lot of jobs you need that higher education now,” she said.

Ms Sheen said the Marcus course opened doors to diverse parts of the equine and agricultural industries, as well as a raft of contacts and networks that she still benefits from.

“There really isn’t much else out there specialising in this area,” she said.

According to Equestrian Australia, the horse sector contributes about $1 billion to the nation’s economy annually.

The Australian Equine Institute, based at Tuggerah in NSW, offers solely online certificate level courses, catering for around 200 students, according to spokeswoman Tory Forsyth.

She said the Certificate II and III level courses in horse care were “foundational” and offered a stepping stone for students, including school aged participants, who may go on to university studies, or work in the equine industry.

Science-based equine courses are offered by the University of Queensland and Charles Sturt.