The Open College of Equine Studies

BHS Horse Knowledge and Care Stage 2

This range of courses allows those unable to attend traditional training courses or train as a working pupil, to complete BHS Stage 1 to 4 Horse Knowledge and Care examination preparation through distance learning. The distance learning element can be supplemented by a five-day intensive Study Week at which a mock BHS examination is taken.

Specially developed course material provides all of the information required for students to pass the relevant HKC stage examination. A work assignment is completed at the end of each course module and submitted for assessment and tutor feedback. In-text activities and in-text questions are supplemented by a Practical Skills Workbook, which details the practical skills needed to pass the BHS examination. Students record satisfactory attainment of each skill listed in the Skills Workbook and seek verification of the achievement by a colleague or friend.

Once all skills have been attained and all work assignments completed, students attend the Study Week at TOCES’ yard in Suffolk. The course will help prepare the student for the practical elements of the BHS HK & C examination, with a mock exam taken on the final day of the course.

Please note that you cannot train for the riding section of the Stage 1 to 4 examinations through distance learning and that in order to attain a BHS HK & C qualification you must take the examination at a BHS Examination Centre. Structure and content of the range of BHS Courses may be subject to amendment to reflect changes in the BHS examination structure.

Module 1 – Anatomy and Physiology
The skeleton. The digestive system. Position and function of the main internal organs. Structure and function of the foot. The teeth and ageing.

Module 2 – Horse Psychology
The natural lifestyle, instincts, actions and reactions of the horse. Sympathetic handling and horse management.

Module 3 – Horse Health
Signs of good and ill health. Preventative treatments. When to call the vet. Treatment of minor wounds. Basic nursing. Lameness. Care of the teeth.

Module 4 – Equine Nutrition
Constituents of feed stuffs and nutritional values. Calculating rations, sample feed plans and charts, rules of feeding, hay, watering.

Module 5 – General Horse Management
Grooming – strapping and quartering. Care of the horse following exercise. Clipping and trimming. Uses, fitting and care of rugs and blankets. Bandaging. Plaiting.

Module 6 – Saddlery
Principles of bitting. Care of tack. Fitting lungeing equipment, boots, breastplates and martingales. Tack related injuries.

Module 7 – Shoeing
The farrier’s tools. Shoeing procedure. Care of the foot. Removing a shoe.

Module 8 – Fittening the Horse
Lungeing. Fittening for medium work. The effects of ground type and conditions. Care after work. Bringing up from grass. Roughing off. Travelling.

Module 9 – Stable Design and Pasture Management
Stable design and construction. Poisonous plants. Maintaining good pasture. Paddock maintenance.

Module 10 – General Knowledge
The Country Code. Road safety. Accident procedure. The aims of the BHS and benefits of membership.

Optional Study Week
The course will cover all practical skills required for the Stage 2 Horse Knowledge and Care examination and will include revision sessions of the theoretical knowledge required. A mock BHS HK & C examination will be taken on the final day.

Click here to find out more about residential study weeks.