Kersbrook Equestrian Centre

20/02/2026

Agistment available for a gelding. Full care, free and full use of all facilities (indoor included). Training packages available with Nicki Stuart - ESI accredited coach. Direct access to forest trails and a friendly community! Visit www.kersbrookequestian.com.au Message this page for details.

17/11/2025

Now available to book on Nominate!
https://nominate.com.au/equestdn/Event.aspx?e=D5CFC9F49EBA41C59D9D41271DC556CF&eventlist=2

04/11/2025

Congratulations Jamie Melham on your Cup win. From pony camps at Kersbrook Equestrian Centre to making history at Flemington. Brilliant!

03/11/2025

We have an agistment vacancy becoming available for a gelding. Full care, free and full use of all facilities, training available with Nicki Stuart ESI accredited coach, friendly community. Message this page for details.

23/09/2025

Helmets are just as important on the ground!

💡 Despite the high risk of head injury in equestrian activities, helmets are still under-utilised by adult riders - and the risks are many, including life altering eye injuries.

A retrospective study recently conducted at a major academic medical institution in the southeastern United States identified 73 horse-related ocular injuries from 50 patients, with a mean age of 37 years, between 2015 and 2023.

The most frequent cause of eye injury was being kicked by a horse, which accounted for 50% of the cases. Falls represented 28%.

The spectrum of injuries included orbital fractures, which appeared in 58% of incidents and constituted the most commonly encountered trauma.

Eyelid and periocular lacerations made up 16% of cases, while traumatic optic neuropathy and corneal abrasions each covered 5%.

Severe open globe injuries were the least common injury, and these usually resulted from horse kicks.

Due to the mechanism and severity of these injuries to the face, nearly one-third of affected patients required surgical intervention, and many experienced long-term complications, such as chronic pain and vision loss.

Despite the clear risk when working with horses, helmet use and compliance with protective gear in equestrian activities remains low, with only about 9% of adult riders (Stanfill et al., 2020) consistently reporting helmet use.

❓Has working with or handling horses ever resulted in an eye injury for you or someone you know? Would protective gear have helped prevent this injury? Share your experience in the comments below.

📑 Cullen Moran, Maya Harrington, Jonathan Barnett, Laura Wayman, John Bond.Horsing Around: A Retrospective Study of Equestrian Related Eye Injuries in the Emergency Department (2025).

20/08/2025

Have you applied for this year’s intake of the Diploma of Equitation Science, now freshly re-accredited and redesigned for the modern equine industry?

Starting in September, you can join a revised program that places greater emphasis on biomechanics alongside core equitation science, horse welfare, and training.

The updated curriculum now features seven units that reflect the latest scientific developments, including the groundbreaking new module ACMEQU415—authored by renowned veterinarian Dr. Lesley Hawson.

This unit provides in-depth exploration of musculoskeletal health, conformation, and movement, giving students the skills to critically assess movement and optimise welfare and performance.

Join us and become part of a new generation of equestrian professionals, equipped with advanced knowledge in training, risk management, biomechanics, and instruction.

Applications for the September intake are now open.

RTO: 41254
Course code: 11363NAT

Visit our website for enrolment details!

13/08/2025

We have 6 current ESI students in SA and a growing number of graduates. This qualification is universal to all horse training. SA students have access to ESI nominated coach, trainer and assessor, Nicki Stuart for additional support and occasional workshops.

🎓 The Diploma of Equitation Science - Five frequently Asked Questions

🐴1. Do I need my own horse?
You don’t need to own a horse, but you must have access to one so you can complete the practical assessments during the course.

🏇🏽2. Do I need to be a certain level rider?
No. As long as you can ride with a balanced seat at walk, trot, and canter, you have the necessary riding level to begin.

📚3. Can I study part-time?
Yes. You can choose a study load that suits your lifestyle — full‑time (around 15–20 hours a week), part‑time (about 10–15 hours a week), or semi‑part‑time (around 4 hours a week). You can even change your study load later if your circumstances change.

🦘4. Do I have to travel to Victoria, Australia, for the practical training?
No. Many distance students complete the course via distance education. While the theory is 100% online, you can choose from three options for practical training: travel to Victoria for workshops, train with an ESI‑Nominated Coach, or submit your assessments via video.

🤠5. Can I study this course if I am not an English‑style rider?
Absolutely. The course is designed for all riding styles. You’ll learn core training principles, problem‑solving methods, and how to develop key responses in your horse, no matter whether you ride in English, Western, working equitation, dressage, jumping, reining, or other discipline.

Visit our website to explore the full course details, discover information about our upcoming intake, and see how you can get started on your journey.

RTO: 41254
Course code: 11363NAT

https://esi-education.com/courses/diploma/

07/08/2025

South Australian shoppers please message to book a fitting. Full range of track work boots in stock as well as every day long and short boots. $20 off all purchases all August for Horses' Birthday.

Kersbrook Equestrian Products

29/07/2025

The new unit in this excellent diploma is a great addition. Such a useful piece of education for anyone interested in enhancing their knowledge. South Australia has a growing number of graduates and Nicki Stuart is an ESI trainer and assessor.

🗞️ We are excited to announce that the Diploma of Equitation Science has been successfully re-accredited, and now features a revised curriculum with innovative content specifically designed for the modern equine industry.

Starting September, enrolments are open for a refreshed course structure that places a stronger emphasis on biomechanics alongside core training and management units.

The Diploma now comprises seven units of competency that reflect current best practice and scientific developments in equitation and horse welfare:

⭐ NAT11363001: Develop a horse management and training plan based on equitation science principles

⭐ NAT11363002: Train horses in-hand using equitation science principles

⭐ NAT11363003: Train horses under-saddle using equitation science principles

⭐ NAT11363004: Develop advanced skills for horse training

⭐ SISOEQU010: Identify hazards, assess and control safety risks for horse handling and riding activities

⭐ SISOEQU008: Instruct fundamental horse riding skills

⭐ ACMEQU415: Relate musculoskeletal system to horse conformation and movement

A highlight of this new accreditation is the addition of ACMEQU415, authored by Dr. Lesley Hawson—a veterinarian and recognised authority in equitation science and biomechanics.

This unit offers a comprehensive exploration of equine musculoskeletal health, conformation, and movement, equipping students with the ability to critically assess how conformation influences performance and welfare outcomes.

With these updates, graduates will be exceptionally well prepared to contribute advanced knowledge and practical leadership in horse welfare, training science, risk management, and instruction within the equestrian sector.

Applications are now open for the September intake. Visit our website for details on how to apply.

RTO: 41254
Course code: 11363NAT

22/05/2025

It was a privilege to host and facilitate this event. Thank you, Equestrian South Australia - Vaulting

22/05/2025

When I grew up we kept our horses in herds. They seemed happy. In 1992, we opened Kersbrook Equestrian Centre and responded to market demand by building small paddocks and isolating horses. It never sat comfortably and we sadly had agisted horses (our school horses lived in a herd) suffer injuries playing or fighting over fences, as well as some problem behaviours and longing cries for company. When all our fences burned down in a bush fire a decade ago, I took the opportunity to turn what had been twelve paddocks into six and pivoted to only offering shared agistment. Barring one freak accident, in a post and rail fence, we have not had any more injuries and the first thing I noticed was how quiet horses are when they have friends. It's not like in the movies, where they vocalise all the time! Now, if I hear a horse call out I know something is wrong. Again and again, the horses that live and visit here demonstrate to me how important it is for us to provide for their need for friends with which they can freely touch, groom, play, sleep and run around (yes, horses need to run!), as well as providing 24/7 forage. It needs some creative thinking occasionally to manage small herds on limited space but the benefits are there on so many levels. If you're thinking of making a change to how you keep your horse(s) there are some really good resources out there and I am always very happy to speak to anyone personally about our experience here and share advice. Here is my number - 0407 559690. Thanks for reading, and I wish you and your horses all the best. Nicki Stuart - owner and manager - KEC.

Welfare Wednesday 🐴 Horses aren’t meant to live alone. From mutual grooming to forming lifelong bonds, social connection is essential to their well-being.

This week, we’re looking at herd behaviour and why your horse needs a social life — not just for happiness, but for health.

Read the full article via the link in the comments.