The Open College of Equine Studies

BTEC National Certificate in Equine Studies

TOCES BTEC courses provide an opportunity for students to attain recognised, professional qualifications mainly via distance learning. Work assignments for each module are completed at home and sent in for tutor assessment and feedback. The distance learning is supplemented by attendance at two intensive residential Study Weeks, each of five days duration, at which practical skills are taught and assessed. Written assessments and teamwork exercises also take place at Study Weeks.

This course is set at a level comparable to BHS Stage 3.

Aims of the course:

• To provide a broad base of theoretical knowledge to students with some experience of horses.
• To provide a nationally recognised qualification which also gives access to the Higher National Certificate programme.

Entry requirements:

• Students must be at least 16 years old upon enrolment.
• There are no formal academic entry requirements.
• Students must have some experience with horses. This can be in the form of owning a horse, working with horses and/or riding regularly and helping at a yard.

This course comprises ten core modules and two Study Weeks, and will take approximately two years to complete.

Module 1 - Equine Anatomy and Physiology
Structure of the basic mammalian cell. Bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Location and function of major organs. Functions of tendons and ligaments. Anatomy and function of the skeleton, cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, nervous, sensory, urinary, endocrine, reproductive and mammary systems. Identification of good and bad conformation.

Module 2 - Equine Nutrition
Structure and functions of nutrients. Anatomy of the digestive tract and digestive process. Calculate nutrient requirements, develop and monitor feed rations. Dietary related disorders.

Module 3 - Health and Disease
Accident, injury and disease prevention. Routine care, preventative medicine - vaccinations, teeth care and worming. Shoeing. Signs of good and ill health. When to call the vet. Infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Module 4 - Equine Veterinary Care
Principles of first aid, types of wound and their management - stemming bleeding, cleaning and dressing the wound. Equine first aid kit. Care of the sick or injured horse. Application of dressings. Administration of medication. Isolation procedure. Box rest.

Module 5 - Equine Lameness
Recognising lameness. Locating the seat of lameness - flexion tests, nerve blocking, radiography, ultrasound scanning. Signs, causes and treatments of disorders causing lameness.

Module 6 - Care of the Competition Horse
Preparation for fittening. Methods of exercising - lungeing, ride and lead. Tack fitting and uses. Double bridle. The effect of exercise on cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Interval training and traditional fittening programmes. Evaluating fitness programmes. Transportation of horses. Care of the horse at a competition. Problems affecting the competition horse - dehydration, heat stress, fatigue, soundness problems. Roughing horses off at the end of a fitness programme.

Module 7 – Business and Estate Management
Planning yard layout. Stable construction, ventilation. Soil types, drainage, weed control, fertilisers, grasses, grassland management, worm control, taking a grass crop, machinery, fencing. Introduction to financial management. Responsibilities of employers and employees. Health and Safety.

Module 8 – Evolution and Behaviour
Evolution of the horse. Development of different breeds and types. Inherent and acquired behaviour. Normal and abnormal equine behaviour, preventing and controlling vices.

Module 9 – Equine Reproduction
Oestrus cycle, swabbing procedures, teasing and covering. Pregnancy diagnosis, twinning, stages of pregnancy, foaling, post-natal care of the mare, management of the neonate, neonatal disorders.

Module 10 – Management of Youngstock
Handling and management of foals and yearlings. Weaning, castration. Long-reining and lungeing. Backing and riding away. Feeding youngstock. Problems and disorders of foals and youngstock.

Click here to find out more about residential study weeks.