Entry Level Three Skills for Working Life- Horse Care

About the course

Your school or Home Educating Parent or Guardian must complete Application Form Part B (Click Here) before your application will be processed.

This highly practical course is an excellent first step into the equine world. A passion for horses is transformed into a meaningful industry recognised qualification during this one year course.

This study programme covers the basics of horse care including essential everyday stable duties and grooming. Students look after the College horses, learning safe techniques for leading, turning out and catching them.

Year 1

Year 1

Catch and Lead a Horse

Students will cover the main equipment and techniques for catching and leading horses in a range of situations.

Recognise Signs of Health in a Horse

Students will learn about the signs of health in a range of different breeds and types and be able to complete detailed health checks on the college horses.

Saddle and Bridle a Horse

Students will be able to select and apply saddles and bridles safely and correctly and have some understanding of correct fit.

Work Safely in the Equine Industry

For this unit, learners will need to recognise personal protective clothing and equipment as appropriate for working in the Equine Industry.

Lift and Handle Equine Equipment Safely

Students will learn how to manage a variety of equipment common to a range of equine industries and settings.

Effective Communication

When working in the equine industry it is essential to be able to communicate with colleagues and staff in a clear and appropriate manner. This unit covers the skills necessary to communicate well and evaluate their own performance.

Interview Skills for the Equine Industry

The aim of this unit is to help the learner equip with the ability to plan and prepare for an interview, and evaluate the interview identifying further training or learning they may need in future.

Clean Horse Tack

Students will cover taking tack apart, cleaning it and correctly putting it back together. The unit also covers correct storage of tack and equipment.

Recognise Types and Parts of the Body of Horses

Students will be able to identify and correctly indicate common points of the horse. They will also cover a identifying common breeds, colours and markings.

Entry requirements & additional information

Entry requirements

This course gives a practical introduction to the equine industry. Students need to be over 14, demonstrating confidence and competence in basic horse care skills. Academic qualifications are not essential, just a willingness to learn.

Learning and assessment

Stable management will be developed within the College yard and students will gain a comprehensive knowledge of horse care. It is extremely popular with students who wish to combine a practical based training programme with sound theoretical knowledge. This course is ideally suited to students who wish to spend a year developing their knowledge and experience working with horses. The course contains plenty of practical work and so students applying for this course will be expected to be hardworking, keen to learn about horse care and willing to be hands on when working on the stable yard.

Students will complete enrichment riding as part of their programme subject to a successful ride assessment.

Progression

Year 10 students may wish to continue into year 11 to complete additional units. Year 11 students may progress onto a full time Further Education or Apprenticeship Programme.

Special requirements

Costs that are mandatory for the course:

Course fees apply for school educated students (see 14-16 prospectus)

Equipment and/or Clothing:

Plain navy or black jodhpurs, College sweatshirt/polo shirt in navy/black, or similar plain sweatshirt/polo shirt. Navy or black jacket (warm and waterproof advised). Boots for yard work – wellingtons or strong boots, riding hat to current standard PAS015 or BSEN1384 plus gloves and hairnet. Riding boots or leather gaiters (suede chaps are not allowed as they rub the horses’ sides). Jumping whip and schooling whip, plus back protector for jumping lessons. (Hooded jumpers, bright or garish clothing are not acceptable on the yards)

Equine Studies

The equine industry in the United Kingdom is expanding rapidly, with a turnover approaching £1 billion per year. It encompasses many different sectors, from racing, driving and endurance to dressage, horse trials and show jumping. These areas are supported by a large ancillary industry which provides extensive career opportunities.

Student Livery

More information about student livery can be found here

Riding Hat Standards

More information about hat standards can be found here

Myerscough College - Equine Studies - Arena

Fantastic resources

The equine department at Myerscough College has excellent resources including a busy international equestrian arena, indoor and outdoor schools, motion analysis software, coldwater therapy spa and specialist laboratories. As well as this, we have more than 50 quality horses on site of various sizes, breeds and standards, stabled in three professional and friendly yards.

A Reputation for Excellence

Myerscough College is widely recognised as one of the leading equine colleges in Britain. The facilities and expert knowledge of tutors provides an ideal learning environment. Our staff are active in equine research, with a particular focus on equine performance and equine locomotion.

RESEARCH STUDIES:

Investigating Risk Factors in Equestrian Eventing

Setting the gold standard for equestrian sports surfaces

Latest news, Equine studies

Former student Harrison Ashton with a horse

Meet our Equine Mentors

At Myerscough we work closely with professionals from across the equine industry to give our students current and up to date information and help them to develop the knowledge and skills they need for the wide range of job roles available within the industry.

Our equine industry mentors' scheme is set up to give our students valuable career advice and guidance from industry professionals that have not only been very successful in their chosen careers but have also been students at Myerscough College.

Find out more!