Equine Care - Level 2

Start Date: 1st September 2025

Length 1 Year
Study Full-Time
Location Kidderminster College

Qualification Gained

BSHQ Level 2 Diploma in Horse Care

Levels Explained

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More about the course

Take your existing skills and experience with horses to a professional level with this Level 2 Equine Course.

To ensure that you are fully prepared to work in the equine industry, you'll spend one day a week at the Sugar Loaf Equestrian Centre and the rest of your time at Kidderminster College learning the theory behind the practical elements of equine care.

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

Entry requirements:

5 GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including English and maths

You'll need to attend an assessment day to assess your riding and handling skills to ensure this is the correct level of course for your experience.

What will I achieve?

Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a BSHQ Level 2 Diploma in Equine Care.

What will I learn?

Equine health and welfare
Horse tack and equipment
Feeding and watering
Riding and exercising horses
Methods of restraint

How is the course taught?

Theory work
Practical work

You will divide your time between Kidderminster College’s main campus and our stables, Sugar Loaf Equestrian.

This course covers 16 hours of study per week.

How am I assessed?

Assessment for this Level 2 Diploma will evolve around portfolio work.

Work experience opportunities:

Level 2 students are required to do 70 hours of work experience. 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 and calculating feeding rations, health checks, temperature, pulse, and respiration.

English will be included in using the correct terminology 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 could progress onto our Level 3 Equine Care course.

Alternatively, you could go into employment as a Groom's hand, Stablehand, Tack shop Assistant, or assist on competition yards and stud farms.

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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