Equine Care in Dunedin
What you'll learn
The course is the same online course wherever you study from. Its modules:
- 1. Module 1 – Horse Care 1
- 2. Module 2 – Horse Care 2
Animal & wildlife near Dunedin
Places in and around Dunedin where you can see this field in action.
Orokonui Ecosanctuary (opens in a new tab)
A 307-hectare block of coastal Otago forest near Waitati, enclosed by a 1.9-metre predator-proof fence. South Island kākā, Haast tokoeka kiwi, South Island robins and takahē have been reintroduced, and tuatara and jewelled geckos also live there.
Visitors can observe reintroduced native birds and reptiles in a fenced mainland island, and the sanctuary relies heavily on volunteers for tasks such as lizard monitoring and supplementary feeding.
Pukekura/Taiaroa Head and the Royal Albatross Centre (opens in a new tab)
The headland at the tip of the Otago Peninsula is a nature reserve with the only mainland royal albatross breeding colony, around 10,000 seabirds, a little penguin stronghold and a fur seal breeding site. The Royal Albatross Centre is run by the Otago Peninsula Trust, founded in 1967 as New Zealand's first charitable conservation trust.
A place to watch seabird breeding behaviour and see how a sensitive colony is managed alongside public visits, keeping the required distance from wildlife.
Dunedin Wildlife Hospital (opens in a new tab)
A hospital for sick and injured native wildlife that opened in January 2018 at the Otago Polytechnic School of Veterinary Nursing. Hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins) are its main patients, and it also treats other native birds, seals and sea lions.
Shows what clinical care for native wildlife looks like in practice; the trust behind it lists volunteer roles through Volunteer South.
Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust (opens in a new tab)
A Dunedin-based not-for-profit that works to protect hoiho, one of the world's rarest penguins, by protecting nesting reserves and reforesting coastline.
A source of current information on hoiho decline and on-the-ground habitat work for anyone studying seabird or wildlife conservation.
Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group and Predator Free Dunedin (opens in a new tab)
After about 15 years of community work led by these two groups, the Otago Peninsula was declared possum-free in early March 2026.
A local, recent example of community pest eradication; DOC notes that groups like these always need volunteers.
NZ Marine Studies Centre, Portobello (opens in a new tab)
The University of Otago's marine education centre at 185 Hatchery Road, Portobello, with touch tanks and displays of local sea life. It is open to pre-booked schools and groups only.
Groups can book to see local marine species up close and learn about marine research carried out at Portobello.
What our students say
Beyond happy with my experience
I’ve loved my journey. I’ve learnt so much. I love how the tutors are there when you need you need them. Even if they don’t or can’t respond straight away I’m confident they can get back to me as soon as they can. I would recommend these guys to anyone who wants to study a course.
Certificate of Equine Care
I love the flexibility of the course and how well your enquires are answered and how quickly once you enquire about the course you hear back from the team. I work full time and often have to work on weekends so I love how no matter what someone’s always happy to help. Would recommend this service to anyone who doesn’t have a lot of spare time
100% would recommend
100% would recommend if you work full time and find it hard to find time to study. Study at your own pace with amazing tutoring staff, extremely helpful and an awesome attitude!
More for Dunedin
- Equine Care: full course page
- Everything for students in Dunedin
- Compare all courses from Dunedin
- Equine Care in Christchurch
- Equine Care in Wellington
Sources for the local information on this page
- orokonui.nz/
- predatorfreenz.org/stories/volunteers-vital-orokonui/
- sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1383-orokonui-ecosanctuary-a-mainland-island
- doc.govt.nz/taiaroa-head
- albatross.org.nz/about/
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunedin_Wildlife_Hospital
- volunteersouth.org.nz/organisation-profile/1524-the-wildlife-hospital-trust
- yellow-eyedpenguin.org.nz/
- blog.doc.govt.nz/2026/03/26/how-one-man-did-his-bit-to-help-make-otago-peninsula-possum-free/
- kotuia.org.nz/organisation-page/org-page-3007/
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