British Horse Society Exams

The British Horse Society Assistant Instructor's Certificate is comprised of four different exams:

We offer training for all these as well as Riding and Road Safety and Stage 4 Horse Care.

BHS Stage 1 Horse Knowledge & Care

This course is highly recommended for anyone considering a career in the equine industry as well as owners and potential owners. It covers the basics of horse care, contributes to horse welfare and can also save owners money with feed and tack. The complete syllabus can be downloaded from the BHS website.

Stage 1 Horse Care tuition can be done:

BHS Stage 1 Riding

Individual Stage 1 lessons are available throughout the week and weekend at the usual lesson price. Group lessons can be arranged subject to demand.

Progressive Riding Tests

The Stage 1 exam can either be taken at a BHS exam venue or on our premises through the PRTs. The syllabus is the same and a pass gives direct entry to the BHS Stage 2 exam. However there is no option to take the Horse Care on its own- it has to be Horse Care and Riding. The big advantage of taking the PRT exam compared to the Stage 1 is that if you fail any elements you don't have to retake the whole test. Instead you just have to redo the elements that you did not achieve the first time round.

BHS Stage 2 Horse Knowledge & Care

This qualification is recommended for anyone considering a career with horses and horse owners. It follows on from Stage 1 but covers new topics such as fittening, lunging, clipping, stable design and grassland care as well as going into more depth on feeding, saddlery and health. The full syllabus can be downloaded from the BHS website.

Stage 2 Horse Care tuition can be done:

BHS Stage 2 Riding

This is available during the week, either as a private lesson or you can join with our students.

BHS Stage 3 Horse Knowledge & Care

More in depth coverage of topics from stage 2 along with new topics such as travelling, conformation, tacking up for competition are included The full syllabus can be downloaded from the BHS website. Successful completion of the exam results in a Grooms certificate which is internationally recognised and provides eligibility to apply to be on the BHS Register of Grooms. Training is done through private or 2:1 tuition, covering the whole syllabus or just the topics where supplementary or top-up teaching is needed.

While there is no Home Study course at the moment, notes with tables, practice sheets, etc. can be purchased.

BHS Preliminary Teaching Test

This exam covers both theory and the teaching of lessons.

Please contact us for more details, one to one and small group training available.

There is no Home Study course available at the moment but the syllabus notes can be purchased, with notes on the content of lessons, if wished:

  1. Class Flat Lesson
  2. Class jump lesson
  3. Lunge Lesson
  4. Lead Rein Lesson

BHS Stage 4 Horse Knowledge & Care

The training for this course is conducted by Mary Stitson, BHS Stable Manager. Most tuition is one-to-one, although shared lessons are available if there is sufficient demand. All sessions take place on weekdays and are arranged to suit.

The exam is open to all candidates who have passed their Stage 3 Horse Knowledge and Care. Usually regarded as part of the Intermediate Instructor qualification, the course is valuable in its own right for anyone interested in working as a yard manager, or who wishes to set up a livery yard or other equine business. The full syllabus can be downloaded from the BHS website.

In your training sessions, you may wish work progressively through the whole syllabus or pick and choose the parts you feel weakest on. All training is tailored to meet your requirements.

Book and pay in advance for four hours and receive a discount. (Hours can be taken individually or in blocks)