The Open College of Equine Studies

Courses

BTEC Advanced Certificate in Horse Management

BTEC Advanced Certificate in Horse Management

(Course Reference: ACHM)

Level: Foundation

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BTEC Advanced Certificate in Horse Management

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.
ACHM is ideal for:
  • Students preparing for the BHS Stage 3 HKC examination.
  • Anyone wanting an alternative validated qualification.
Students attend a three day study weekend during which practical subjects are taught, practiced and assessed.  This course is set at a level comparable to BHS Stage 3 and builds upon topics studied in ICHM.
 
Unit 1 Equine Anatomy and Physiology (3)
Nomenclature. Bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Location and function of major organs. Cell structure and function. Functions of tendons and ligaments. Anatomy and function of the skeleton, cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, nervous, sensory, urinary, endocrine, reproductive and mammary systems. Conformation and its effect on soundness and performance.
 
Unit 2 Horse Knowledge and Care (4)
Daily routines, planning yard layout, stable construction.
Soil types, drainage, weed control, fertilisers, grasses, grassland management, worm control, taking a grass crop, machinery, fencing.
Evolution of the horse. Development of different breeds and types. Inherent and acquired behaviour. Normal and abnormal equine behaviour, preventing and managing stereotypic behaviour.
Tack fitting for different disciplines including fitting the double bridle and exercise bandages.
 
Unit 3 Equine Veterinary Care (3)
Disease prevention and control. Wound management. Therapies to reduce inflammation.
Recognising lameness. Locating the seat of lameness - Trotting up to confirm soundness, flexion tests, nerve blocking, radiography, ultrasound scanning.
Signs, causes and course of action for disorders affecting soundness: disorders of the foot, joint and bone disorders, synovial effusions.
Signs, causes and course of action for: exertional rhabdomyolysis, choke, colic,
Infectious and non-infectious diseases.
 
Unit 4 Fitness and Training
Interval training and traditional fittening programmes in preparation for hard work. Fitting and using a heart rate monitor.
The effect of exercise on cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Care of the horse at a competition. Problems affecting the competition horse - dehydration, heat stress, fatigue, soundness problems.
Lungeing to work the horse.
 
Unit 5 Equine Reproduction
Selection of breeding stock, oestrus cycle, swabbing procedures, teasing, covering. Artificial insemination, embryo transfer, pregnancy diagnosis, twinning, stages of pregnancy, stages of foaling, post-natal care of the mare, management of the neonate, importance of colostrum, handling the foal, management of foals and yearlings, weaning, stallion management. Feeding breeding and youngstock.

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