Courses
Short course
- BHS Stage 1 - Horse Knowledge, Care & Riding
- BHS Stage 2 - Horse Knowledge, Care & Riding
- Riding and Road Safety
- Introduction to Lungeing for Beginners
- Improving your Lungeing Techniques
- Basic First Aid for Horses (Part 1)
- First Aid for Horses (Part 2)
- Transportation of Horses by Road (Short Journeys)
- Transportation of Horses by Road (Long Distance)
- BHS Horse Owner Certificate
BHS Horse Owner Certificate
This course consists of four theory-based Levels. It is aimed at potential horse owners, parents of horse owners and horse owners aged 12 or over. Candidates do not need to be BHS members to register for this course, which is ILA approved.
Content & Dates
Levels 1, 3 & 4 run 1 day per week over 10 weeks from 6.00 - 8.00pm. Level 2 will be run over 2 weekends, a total of 4 full days.
LEVEL ONE Dates to be arranged
Knowledge of horse types, uses, colours and markings
Elementary stable management. Knowledge of care and maintenance required to keep a horse healthy and comfortable in a stable.
Stable routine and safety in the stable. Safe handling of both the horse and equipment necessary for his well-being. A knowledge of substances in common use which require particular care and/or storage.
Identification of tack in common use and naming of the parts. Basic care of tack. Ability to take to pieces, inspect for safety, clean and re-assemble.
Reasons and principles of grooming. Knowledge of the items in a grooming kit and their use. Basic knowledge of shoeing and care of the foot.
Recognition of signs of health and ill health and when to call a vet. Preventative treatments. A basic knowledge of the need to worm and vaccinate.
Elementary principles of watering and feeding. Rules of watering and feeding.
A knowledge of buying a horse. Points to look for. The need for a vet to assess the horse before purchase.
Elementary rules for preparing a horse for a ride; riding out on the road; returning from a ride; riding dress.
Written examination paper (1½ hours)LEVEL TWO
Saturday & Sunday 16 & 17 January 2010 and Saturday & Sunday 30 & 31 January 2010
10am - 3pm each of the 4 days.
The reasons for shoeing and recognition of when shoeing or re-shoeing is required. A knowledge of the basic structure of the foot. Blacksmith's tools and use. How to remove a shoe safely in an emergency.
Recognition of common injuries and basic first aid. Arresting bleeding and treatments for different types of wounds.
Knowledge of watering and feeding the stabled horse and the horse at grass. Feeding in all seasons. Feeding for light work.
Care and maintenance of grassland. To include the maintenance of fences, gates, shelter , watering etc. Care and improvement of the grassland to include a knowledge of harmful weeds and their control.
The care of saddlery, to include inspection for soundness of saddles. A knowledge of the fitting and use of more items of equipment ie. martingales, breastplates, boots etc.
The necessity of insurance to cover all aspects of the horse and its use.
Stable routine for two horses. To include all the extra jobs that need to be undertaken eg. Drains, guttering, paintwork, cleanliness of yard etc.
Bedding. A knowledge of the different types of bedding and their management. To include different systems eg, deep litter.
The Highway Code and The Country Code
Written examination paper (1½ hours)
LEVEL THREE (dates to be confirmed)
The recognition, treatment and care of common injuries and ailments, further to Level Two.
Changes from management in the stable to management at grass and vice-versa. The procedures for getting a horse up from a period at grass eg. teeth, worming etc and the procedures for roughing off a horse.
Clipping, trimming and plaiting
Care and maintenance of horse transport. A knowledge of the law regarding the transit of horses. Weight ratios for trailers and legal requirement with regard to towing.
Preparation of the horse for travel. A knowledge of equipment needed with regard to the length of journey and the climatic conditions.
The care of the horse trekking and in competitive events. Understand fitness and condition and the maintenance of both. Have a knowledge of the BHS, Riding Clubs and the Pony Club.
Knowledge of good and bad stable construction. Different types of stabling. Basic requirements of planning regulations. Layout of stable yard to include handling and disposal of muck heap.
Knowledge of horse clothing and bandaging. Care and maintenance of both. Have a working knowledge of the costs involved in keeping a horse.
Recognition of good and bad forage. Knowledge of different grasses found in hay samples and ability to identify weeds and poor grasses.
Written examination paper (1½ hours)
LEVEL FOUR
Level 4 will run for 10 weeks (start date to be confirmed) :
1. Knowledge of the main systems in the horse, their function and common problems associated with these systems.
2. Knowledge of various grasses, conditions for growth and beneficial properties. Procedures for improving pasture ie drainage, cross grazing, re-seeding, fertilizers etc. Calendar for management of grassland. Haymaking - types and methods.
3. Vitamins/minerals - difference between them and why they may be deficient in the diet. Name main vitamins/minerals and their uses. Weights and types of feed available for riding school horses, hunters competition horses etc.
4. Name and structure of the tooth and ageing characteristics. Description of structure of the mouth and common problems that may result from poor conformation of this.
5. Name and structure of different types of remedial shoes. Give description of the conditions under which these shoes may be used and the way in which they affect improvement/relief.
6. List the basic principles of sick nursing and the reasons/conditions for implementing these. Describe the way in which these principles may help to reduce severity of a condition/injury and any problems that may arise as a result.
7. Outline the basic principles of fitting various saddles and bridles. Describe the uses of specific bits and gadgets and they way in which they work.
8. Common stable vices and their possible causes. Also suggested ways to stop such vices and the preventative steps that can be taken to limit these.
9. A general knowledge of the BHS and its departments, structure etc. Awareness of BHS qualifications system and the BHS Register of Instructors. Action to be taken in the event of an accident. A knowledge of RIDDOR and legal obligations of an instructor.
10. Written examination paper (1½ hours)
Candidates
The course is aimed at potential horse owners, parents of horse owners and horse owners aged 12 or over. Candidates do not need to be BHS members to register for this course, and do not have to achieve one Level before progressing on to the next. The exam at the end of each Level can also be taken without the candidate attending the course.
What to bring
For information please contact SNEC on tel. 01506 865714.
Cost
£100 per person per level