Equine Care - Level 1

Start Date: 1st September 2025

Length 1 Year
Study Full-Time
Location Kidderminster College

Qualification Gained

BHSQ Level 1 Diploma in Horse Care

Levels Explained

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More about the course

This level 1 Equine Care Diploma introduces you to the basics of horse care. It's a great stepping stone for people who are keen to work with horses, but don't currently have any experience.

You'll spend one day a week at the Sugar Loaf Equestrian Centre and then the rest of your time at the college's main campus.

Our expert staff will help you learn skills in handling horses, grooming, and general horse care, plus delivering weekly riding lessons. There will also be opportunities to learn about stable management and go on off-site trips.

Entry requirements:

No formal entry requirements
Basic knowledge of handling horses

What will I achieve?

Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a BHSQ Level 1 Diploma in Horse Care with the option to go down either riding or horse care.

What will I learn?

Feeding and watering
Grooming and washing
Cleaning stables
Principles of riding horses
Catching and moving horses

How is the course taught?

Theory work
Practical work on the yard – one day a week

How am I assessed?

Portfolio

Work experience opportunities:

The college can offer external professional connections who provide placements for work experience alongside completing the course to gain additional industry experience.

English and Maths:

Maths will be included in weighing foods and horses when health checking and counting the footfall of horses.

English will be included in using correct terminology, listening, and following instructions.

Tutorial

Tutorial is a program of essential topics affecting you as a potential employee and member of a community. You will cover topics to improve employability skills, mental fitness (both for you and those around you) and much more. It is an essential part of your personal development.

As part of you weekly timetable, you will be expected to take part in Tutorial. This consists of a 1-1 meeting (at least 3 a year) and Personal Development activities that develop you both personally and professionally. Part of the focus is to raise digital Standards and take part in Employer Engagement Activities such as guest speakers, logging Work Experience and in person and online networking.

We work with Student Experience, Careers and your Curriculum team to ensure your Tutorial elements link to your industry area and to create opportunities to develop key skills for profile raising as well as enabling you to create competitive applications and CVs.

Tutorial is also an opportunity to check in with you as part of a group and individually. You can discuss any issues you might be having that affect your learning and essentially identify strategies and support available to you.

Where can I progress?

Upon successful completion of this course, you can progress onto our Level 2 Equine Care course.

Call us: 01562 820811

Email us: enquiries@kidderminster.ac.uk

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Oonagh Dervish-lang

Tutor - Equine

I am a lecturer in the Further Education Equine Department, where I am course lead for BHS Work-Based Horse Care Levels 1 & 2 and Level 3 Technical Equine Management Level 1 & 2. I have lectured for four years in the Further Education and Higher Education sectors. I currently teach a range of practical and theoretical sessions, including ground schooling, coaching, biology and equine management topics for Equestrian Practice. Concentrating on building confidence with knowledge and understanding to help prepare students for the industry for the benefit of the horse. My main area of interest is equitation. I enjoy competing and training my horse in British Dressage.

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