Home Study
If you would like to do a BHS Horse Knowledge and Care course but can't reach us easily, why not study the theory part at home? You will find the syllabi at the end of the page.
The courses come in a hard-backed ring binder and include:
- Worksheets for feeding, fittening, etc.
- Notes on exam techniques and most frequently failed elements
- "What you can do at home" - suggestions for working with your horse or at a local riding school to increase your confidence and knowledge.
For Stage 1 only:
- Up-to-date information about the BHS Progressive Riding Tests (combined Horse Care and Riding)
With either Option, the practical elements can be done here:
- Cover the work from several units in one visit
- Combine practical work with a riding or lungeing lesson
- Receive a 10% discount for more than an hour's training on a weekday
- Come for intensive training, staying in an affordable B & B, recommended by us (special prices apply)
Option One
This is fully tutored so that all your work is sent to us for review and comment. A tutor is also available to answer any queries.
Option Two
This is untutored, so you receive the same material but work through it on your own or find a local BHS-registered instructor to review it.
Stage 3
There is no Home Study course but the notes, with diagrams, tables, etc. can be purchased.
Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Stage 1 Syllabus
Unit 2: Anatomy - points of the horse, colours, markings
Unit 3: Health and Shoeing - signs of good / bad health, parts of foot, basic farriery
Unit 4: Handling and Horse Clothing - handling, choice and fitting of rugs
Unit 5: Grooming - items of kit and their use, routine, etc.
Unit 6: Stable Routine and Bedding
Unit 7: Watering and Feeding - rules,what and when to feed, avoiding common problems
Unit 8: Saddlery (1) - snaffle bridle and GP saddle, types of bit, noseband and girth
Unit 9: Saddlery (2) - practical tack fitting
Unit 10: Turning Out To Grass - checks of field, safety, horse behaviour
Unit 11: Horse Psychology - basic instincts, behaviour of wild / domestic horse, temperaments
Unit 12: Mock Exam
Stage 2 Syllabus
Unit 2: Physiology and Anatomy - digestive system, internal organs, horse's skeleton
Unit 3: Watering and Feeding - watering systems, components of feedstuffs, different needs
Unit 4: Saddlery, Rugs and Boots - use of different bits, nosebands and girths, care of equipment
Unit 5: Fittening - starting, work, feed and roughing off
Unit 6: Lungeing -fitting and use of equipment, safety, basic exercises
Unit 7: Loading and Travelling - preparation of horse and vehicle, loading / unloading (theory only)
Unit 8: Stables and Grassland Management - stable design, good and poisonous plants
Unit 9: Grooming - full groom of clipped / unclipped horse, care after work, trimming
Unit 10: Clipping and Plaiting - when to clip, different clips, care of clippers
Unit 11: Safety - on the yard and the road, accident procedures, etc., BHS membership
Unit 12: Mock Exam
Stage 3 Syllabus
Unit 2: Foot and Shoeing
Unit 3: Loading and Unloading (Practical)
Unit 4: Horse Psychology, The BHS and Safety
Unit 5: Health and Treatment
Unit 6: Saddlery and Bitting
Unit 7: Handling difficult horses, Care of competition horses
Unit 8: Feeding and Fittening
Unit 9: Action, Confirmation, Lameness
Unit 10: Stables and Grassland