This course best suits experienced owners who are looking to update or broaden their skills – especially those managing horses in DIY livery situations – or those preparing for a career in the equine industry but unable to attend college. While it aligns broadly with BHS and ABRS syllabuses, it covers additional topics, making it uniquely practical.
Students can expect a thorough and practical learning journey that builds on foundational knowledge, deepening their understanding of horse care, health, feeding, and management. The course balances detailed theory with real-world applications, ideal for confident horse owners managing their own or DIY livery horses, as well as those preparing for more advanced professional qualifications. With clear, structured content covering everything from farriery to pasture management, students gain skills that are immediately useful in daily equine care and yard running. Flexible pacing and supportive tutoring allow learners to study alongside work and life commitments, making it suitable for busy adults looking to expand their expertise or progress their equine careers. Practical topics like tack care, safety etiquette, and routine yard management help prepare students for hands-on responsibilities, while the comprehensive syllabus ensures they feel confident handling more complex situations in horse welfare and management. Overall, the course is highly valued for its depth, clarity, and relevance to both leisure riders and aspiring professionals.
The syllabus has been developed to mirror the real responsibilities of horse owners and carers. It includes core principles as well as intermediate-level topics that often appear later in formal training. A broad sample of what’s covered:
Stable Management & Horse Care
- Bedding types, stable routines, grassland and paddock maintenance
- Rugging and fitting, including types of rugs and usage
- Feeding rules, types of feed, balancers, cereals, straights, haylage and storage and developing feed charts
- Boots and bandages
- Tack and saddle fitting, martingales, nosebands
- Cleaning and maintenance of equipment
- Bit types, their uses, and how to fit them correctly
Health & Welfare
- Monitoring health: vital signs, behaviour, signs of illness
- Equine psychology and behavioural management
- First Aid, knowing what’s “normal,” and recognising issues early
- Lameness, limb and hoof anatomy
- Teeth and dentistry
- Minor injuries and modern treatments
- Vet relationships and when to call the vet
- Worming strategies and lab testing explained
- Farriery: the importance of regular care and identifying hoof issues
Safety & Legislation
- Health & Safety in the stable, yard, and while handling
- Road safety and preparation for hacking out
- Towing and trailer knowledge basics
- Equine passports and legal responsibilities
- Choosing a livery yard and understanding sample livery contracts
Buying, Ownership and Business
- Guidance on buying a horse or pony: first and second-time buyers
- Budgeting for care, facilities, and professional services
- Building a support network when managing horses independently
- Running a small livery yard
- Diversification
