City & Guilds Diploma in Work-based Horse Care Level 1

In a nutshell

Our Vocational Studies courses are designed to introduce you to the area of study that interests you and to help you to develop wider learning skills.

This course is for you if...

... You have a keen interest in horses
... You want to develop practical, transferable skills

What will I be doing?

A range of theory and practical sessions focussing on building practical and life skills.

This course will provide you with a range of progression opportunities, including further learning at the college on one of our next level courses, an apprenticeship or employment!

You'll get the opportunity to work with the horses at the college and gain an insight into college life. You'll develop practical, transferable skills and complete tasks that focus on demonstrating what you can do and what you’ve learned.

This workbased qualification will develop your practical skills competence and knowledge using our BHS approved yard, indoor and outdoor riding school and state of the art classrooms.

The grades you will include are:

• Finding out about the equine sector
• Caring for and feeding horses
• Mucking out
• Grooming horses
• Catching horses
• Tack fitting
• Tack cleaning
• Horse accommodation
• Estate skills maintenance

You’ll be assessed through assignments, tasks and practical assessments and you’ll achieve:

• City and Guilds Level 1 Workbased Diploma in Horse Care
• Skills Activities
• Maths and English (if you haven't achieved a grade C or above at GCSE level)
• Other relevant qualifications to enhance your skill set

You will benefit from the excellent facilities at the equestrian centre at Usk campus which is a British Horse Society (BHS) approved exam centre. It is a compact, well equipped equestrian unit. It includes a stable yard which houses up to 15 horses for you to use for your riding and practical sessions. There are two full size modern all weather surfaces, one of which is indoors, show jumps, a cross country schooling area and grazing paddocks. The centre is staffed by an experienced well qualified team who supervise and support you when undertaking yard duties and work experience. Through working in the college yard your understanding of horse care will be broadened.

What is expected of me?

You’ll need to be motivated, hardworking and willing to try new things. There will be an expectation that you practise skills and techniques in realistic work environments within college, allowing you to build on your employability skills. Attendance and punctuality for all sessions is a compulsory requirement of this course.

Full commitment to attendance is required. Respect for others, enthusiasm for the subject and self-motivation, along with a passion for equine studies are the essential qualities we expect to see in all our learners. You will be continually assessed and there is an expectation that you will continue your studies and coursework/work placement during your own time.

What comes next?

• You could continue your studies at Level 2 in a vocational area of your choice
• You could progress onto L2 Technical Certificate in Equine Care
• You could progress onto an apprenticeship

Additional information

Please note that this is not only a practical course, there is an amount or written work included.

You’ll need to have an up-to-date tetanus injection prior to working with the horses.

You will also need to purchase a Riding hat (to current BHS standards), yard boots, jodhpurs, riding boots, gloves (if riding). These costs vary. You will also be requred to wear a body protector.

Our yard has a riding weight limit to ensure the health and wellbeing of our horses and a riding assessment will be part of the process.

These items should be purchased before commencing your course but you will be able to discuss the requirements during enrolment.

Additional costs could be incurred during the year for educational visits.

BHS exams will be an additional cost for which a BHS membership is required.