Back To Basics Course

By the end of the six weeks you will feel confident around horses and be able to groom, pick out feet, tack and un-tack confidently.  You should be able to ride in walk, trot (and possibly canter) and also adjust your own girth and stirrups once mounted.  You will understand basic school movements and the principles of riding and road safety. 

In preparation for the course, and if you are interested in reading and gaining more information, the Pony Club publication Manual of Horsemanship is a very good buy and can be purchased from the British Horse Society book list or from Amazon or Waterstones.

10.00

British Horse Society Riding and Road Safety Training and Examination

We are pleased to be able to offer courses on Riding and Road Safety at Colchester Garrison Saddle Club in preparation for the British Horse Society Riding and Road Safety Exam.

Your training and horse will be provided by the Saddle Club and a BHS examiner will then come to examine you.  

NVQ Qualifications at Colchester Garrison Saddle Club

NVQ’s are hands on, practical, totally work-based qualifications. You do not need to go to college in order to undertake an NVQ, you can train "on the job" and there are no exams at the end of the course, all assessments are practically based.  Courses start in August/September and run until June/July in conjunction with The College of West Anglia

NVQ Level 1

This covers the everyday skills of working with horses and very little experience is required. All the work covered by the qualification will be carried out under supervision and this is reflected in the Unit titles that describes "assisting with" tasks and functions. This qualification will provide good ground work in horse care.

You will study a range of topics that will enable you to work effectively and safely with horses. The topics studied will include assisting with routine stable management, assisting with routine husbandry tasks, safe handling practices, riding (optional), recognition of tack and its use and cleaning, health & safety and effective working relationships.

NVQ Level 2

This covers the skills of an assistant worker in the equine industry and requires some experience with horses. It is expected that instructions can be followed and routine tasks carried out efficiently whilst taking personal responsibility for actions. It will be necessary for you to be able to report accurately to someone with a higher qualification and/or more experience.

You will study a range of topics that will enable you to work effectively and safely with horses. The topics studied will include maintaining horse health, stable management, grassland management, nutrition, health & safety, transportation and developing effective working relationships. Some students may also be given the opportunity to complete ridden units but this is optional and based on your current level of riding experience.  For those who do not wish to ride other (non-ridden units)` are available and include Assist Riders with Special Needs and Assist with the Specialist Care of the Performance Horse.

NVQ Level 3

The Level 3 NVQ is a management qualification which covers the skills needed to competently perform not only a wide range of routine tasks, but also those of a more complex or unpredictable nature, for example monitoring and adjusting animal diet and health care. Work will also include interacting with clients and dealing with day to day problems as they may arise. There will also be a requirement to supervise others in the work environment, including monitoring and providing feedback on work undertaken.

You will study a range of topics that will enable you to work effectively with horses and develop your supervisory skills. The topics studied will include horse diseases & health, transportation, nutrition & diet formulation, health & safety and clipping. You may also decide to undertake and complete ridden, coaching and competition units.