Conditioning the Racehorse – Winter ’26
- This course closed on March 6, 2026.
A Practical Short Course for Trainers in the Racing Sector
We warmly invite Ontario’s racing community to join us in a free educational journey on TheHorsePortal.ca. The “Racehorse Conditioning & Exercise Physiology” course offers a unique opportunity to explore evolving approaches to equine care and performance, grounded in both long-standing experience and emerging research.
This course builds on the foundational expertise of generations of horse trainers with practical, evidence-informed strategies that can support injury prevention and enhance performance while supporting the welfare of the horse. Through interviews with respected trainers who are successfully integrating welfare-focused methods into their programs, participants will gain insights into how thoughtful refinements can benefit both horses and training outcomes. As our understanding of the equine athlete continues to grow, so does our ability to support their longevity and wellbeing. We invite you to explore how these evolving principles can complement and strengthen your existing practices.
Never taken an online course before? No worries! This course takes a common sense, practical and flexible approach to training – no prior online learning experience required. Log in anytime – 24/7. Join in on conversations with instructors, guest experts and your peers in our Discussion Forum – a truly unique community approach in online learning.
FREE for AGCO Licensees & SC Members!
- Click “Enroll” in the “FREE for AGCO Licensees/SC Members” registration box below.
- On the Registration page, fill out the required fields, then under “Have a coupon?”, enter the code Exercise2026 and click “Apply”
- The cost of the course will now be free of charge. Agree to the Terms and Conditions and click “Submit.”
- You are now registered for the course!
SPECIAL OFFERS FOR RACING EDUCATION PARTNERS:
- HBPA of Ontario & COSA – Free for AGCO Licensees
- Standardbred Canada – Free for SC Members
- Horse Racing Alberta – 15% Discount for HRA Licensees
Certificate of Completion
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from Equine Guelph – the horse owner’s Centre at the University of Guelph.
Time Commitment:
- Occurs over a 2-week period
- 5-10 hour time commitment is required during this period
- No set times to be online! Log in at your own convenience and learn at your own pace.
- Recommended you visit the course site at least 5 times a week, preferably once or more each day
- Course is entirely online, so travel to the University of Guelph is NOT required
Materials:
- All materials are provided online within course site
Prerequisites:
- 16 years of age or older
- Valid AGCO licence holders only!
For more information, please email horseportal@uoguelph.ca
Renée Kierans
My involvement in the horse racing industry has spanned close to 40 years, and covers many facets of the industry. My involvement with horses in general has been life long.
Jobs throughout the years have been those of an exercise rider, pony rider, outrider, starting gate crew, trainer and owner. I worked for 12 years doing on air broadcasting and handicapping for Woodbine and Mohawk, covering both thoroughbred and standardbred racing. I have also been an instructor for the Woodbine presented groom school on several occasion.
Aside form working with race horses, I love the time I get to spend working with show hunters and, when my schedule allows, competing in a few horse shows throughout the season. My partner is a Hall of Fame standardbred trainer, so racing, and horses in general, are really my life not just my job, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Julie Walker
Born and raised in Owen Sound, I grew up in harness racing as part of a long family history with the trotter. I have trained horses since I was 19 years old and have been driving Standardbreds for 12 years. Now living in Guelph, I am managing a stable of 30 racehorses (over $4 million in purse earnings) and also have a rescue Standardbred.
Other involvement in the Standardbred racing includes participation in women driving challenges across Canada, acting as a Central Ontario Standardbred Association board member, organizer of Ontario’s first Racing Under Saddle (RUS) organization as well as sticking my toes in on the breeding side! I look forward to being your Standardbred Ambassador and, together, learning more about the equine athletes we are lucky enough to work with every day.
FREE for SC Members & AGCO Licensees!
FREE with Coupon Code!
