Technical Certificate in Horse Care

Course information

If you can’t get enough of horses and have your sights set on working with them, then this is the course for you and can be your first step into a career working in the equine industry.

The course is made up of a mixture of academic lessons and practical lessons, with lots of opportunities to work around the horses and on the yard.

You’ll be working on a range of different topics and units on this course including: Horse health, the equine industry, feeding and watering, grassland management, anatomy and physiology, tack and equipment and environmental and land-based business studies. Basically, you will be studying all aspects of equestrianism to build and develop you theoretical knowledge and working on improving your practical skills.

We are very lucky to have 2 indoor schools and 1 outdoor school, stabling for 55 horses, that are all rubber matted and have automatic water drinkers. We have a 5 horse horse-walker, 2 hot wash bays and solariums, and heated tack rooms. We have 30 acres of grazing that is split into smaller paddocks, a cross country schooling area and lots of beautiful hacking available. On evenings and weekends we run competitions or hire our facilities to a range of different awarding bodies, including British Dressage, British Showjumping, The Riding for the Disabled Association and the British Horse Driving Trials Association. So, if you have a passion for horses and want a career working with them, this is the best place to start.

As a Level 2 qualification, this Technical Certificate is all about introducing you to the equine industry and developing your essential skills. You’ll be learning from experienced and well qualified staff, who are there to give you the very best start to your career.

There are 2 options on the course, riding or non-riding.

What You Will Learn

This course has compulsory 2 weeks work experience at an equestrian business.

It is also compulsory to undertake equine duties on the Duchy College Equestrian yard. This occurs during your timetabled day and also one weekend in four when you will need to be residential.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirement is to achieve a grade 4 or above at GCSE English, and grade 3 or above at three other GCSE subjects including maths.

Riding option:
To be able to walk, trot and canter in balance with the horse. Video evidence will be required at interview.
There is a 13 stone weight limit to riding at Duchy College Equestrian Centre.

Non-riding option:
To be confident handling a range of different horses, completing different tasks including, grooming, tacking up and turning out horses.

Work Experience

As part of your course you will be required to carry out 2-weeks Work Experience related to the Technical Certificate in Horse Care.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a multiple choice exam, externally set from City and Guilds in March. There is also a synoptic assessment, which is a controlled assessment made up of practical and written tasks. This occurs between February and May. You are required to complete optional units, which are assessed with practical assessment, assignments and exams, these are assessed throughout the academic year. You also have to complete a health and safety exam in the summer term.

Progression

Once you’ve finished the Level 2 qualification you can progress onto the Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma, apprenticeship, or depending on your age and skills, employment.

Duchy College Stoke Climsland

Duchy College Stoke Climsland

Set on stunning rolling hillsides, our campus epitomises the very best of land-based education. The recent addition of the £4 million Future Farm research facility means students and businesses are at the heart of the next evolution of environmental farming. Whether it’s a love of horses, sport, protective services, heavy machinery or animal care, nobody forgets their time at Duchy College Stoke Climsland. It’s time to secure your #careercollege experience.

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