Stage 1 Care Syllabus | The British Horse Society

Stage 1 Care

Learning Outcome Assessment

Learning Outcome	Assessment Criteria	Guidance on the content to be learnt during training and sampled during assessment	Assessment Method
1. Know the responsibilities for working on an equestrian yard	1.1 State the responsibilities for working on an equestrian yard	Responsibilities with regards to the following: Animal welfare Safeguarding Health and Safety Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Data protection Reporting lines	Discussion
2. Be able to maintain a clean stable	2.1 Muck out and put a bed down	Full muck out (excluding deep litter) to include: Working safely and efficiently Selection and use of tools Minimal wastage of clean bedding Put a bed down to include: Suitable depth Banks	Observation
	2.2 Provide water	May include: Bucket or automatic drinker Appropriate positioning of bucket Frequency of cleaning Working safely and efficiently	Observation and discussion
	2.3 Skip out and tidy a stable	Skip out to include: Selection of tools Working safely and efficiently Tidying the stable to include: Levelling the bedding Sweeping back Checking water	Observation and discussion
	2.4 Discuss the use of a range of bedding for horses	Range = 2 or more Bedding may include: Shavings Straw Wood pellets Rubber matting Flax/hemp	Discussion
	2.5 Describe how to maintain a muck heap	Maintenance to include: Compacting down Keeping muck heap area tidy	Discussion
3. Be able to carry out routine grooming tasks	3.1 State reasons for grooming	Reasons may include: Appearance Health and welfare Relationship with horse	Discussion
	3.2 Identify a range of items in a grooming kit	Range = 3 or more Items may include: Body brush Dandy brush Flick brush Rubber curry comb Metal curry comb Hoof pick Mane and tail brush	Observation and discussion
	3.3 Groom a horse	Grooming to include: Securing the horse Working safely and efficiently Use of equipment Picking out feet Folding rug as required Handling horse safely	Observation
	3.4 Identify if a horse needs shoeing or trimming	May include: Clenches Condition of feet Condition of shoes	Discussion
	3.5 Identify a range of external parts of the horse’s foot	Range = 3 or more Parts may include: Wall Toe Bulbs of the heel Sole Frog Bars White line	Observation
	3.6 Describe how to groom a horse after exercise	Groom to include: Checking horse for injury Washing or brushing off sweat Use of cooler	Discussion
4. Be able to describe horses and know about horse behaviour and health	4.1 State a horse’s welfare needs	Welfare needs (Five Domains) may include: Nutrition (forage, water and diet) Suitable and safe environment (stable and field) Health (protection from pain, injury and disease) Company (social interactions with horses and people, expressing natural instincts) Mental wellbeing	Discussion
	4.2 Identify a range of points of the horse	Range = 4 or more Points may include: Poll Withers Shoulder Croup Loins Elbow Knee Stifle Hock Fetlock Pastern	Observation and discussion
	4.3 Estimate the height of a horse or pony	Height estimate to include: Hands or centimetres Within 10-15 centimetres or 4-6 inches of actual height	Observation and discussion
	4.4 Identify colours and markings	Colours may include any common horse colours. Face markings may include: Blaze Stripe Star White face Snip Leg markings may include: White markings (socks and stockings are acceptable) Ermine marks	Observation and discussion
	4.5 Identify signs of good and poor health	Signs may include: General body condition Coat condition Eyes and nose Appetite Droppings Movement and stance	Observation and discussion
	4.6 Describe routine checks to monitor health and welfare	Routine checks to include: Morning checks Evening checks General observations throughout the day	Discussion
	4.7 Outline the signs of a horse being overweight or underweight	Signs in relation to key areas of the horse’s body: Crest Ribs Quarters Importance of looking from all angles Awareness of Fat/Condition scoring	Discussion
	4.8 Describe the horse’s natural instincts	Range = 2 or more Natural instincts may include: Herd animals Flight, or fight or freeze Grazers How natural instincts may affect horses when: Turned out Stabled Startled Left alone	Discussion
	4.9 Describe horse behaviour that may suggest it is not safe to approach	May include: Body language Facial expressions Movement and stance In the stable In the field	Discussion
5. Be able to use rugs appropriately	5.1 Identify a range of rugs and their use	Range = 2 or more Rug types may include: Turnout rug Stable rug Cooler Fly rug Know when a rug is not required	Observation and discussion
	5.2 Put a rug on and take a rug off	To include: Safe and efficient procedure Consideration for horse Rug secured Handle horse safely	Observation
	5.3 Assess the fit of the rug	Fit to include: Length Depth Length of straps Common places to check for rubs and sores	Observation and discussion
	5.4 Describe the consequences of a poor fitting rug	Consequences may include: Horse welfare Damage to rug Safety	Discussion
6. Be able to tack up and untack	6.1 Identify parts of the saddle and bridle	Parts of the saddle may include: Cantle Pommel Seat Saddle flap Skirt Stirrup bar Parts of the bridle may include: Noseband Cheekpieces Brow band Headpiece Throatlash	Observation and discussion
	6.2 Tack up and untack a horse with a saddle and bridle	Tack up and untack to include: Safe and efficient procedure Securing the horse Handle horse safely Handling of rug if required Carrying and storage of tack	Observation
	6.3 Put on a martingale	Running martingale to include: Safe and efficient procedure Securing the horse With bridle and saddle	Observation
	6.4 Put on a pair of brushing boots	To include: Safe and efficient procedure Velcro attachment Front or hind boots	Observation
	6.5 Check tack for safety	Areas of tack may include: Stirrup leathers Cheek pieces Reins Girth straps	Observation and discussion
	6.6 Outline checks to make on tack for comfort before riding	Checks may include: Bridle: Bit Noseband Throatlash Saddle: Saddle too big or too small Pommel too low Saddle not central Girth Martingale: Neck strap Attachment to reins Saddle pad: Suitability and fit Brushing boots: Size	Discussion and observation
	6.7 State the reasons why tack should be checked for comfort and safety	Reasons may include: Horse welfare and wellbeing Safety of horse Safety of rider	Discussion
	6.8 Clean a bridle	Clean may include: Stripping bridle Cleaning and applying leather dressing (saddle soap, cream or spray) Washing bit Putting a bridle back together correctly	Observation and discussion
	6.9 State the reasons for cleaning tack	Reasons may include: Comfort Care of tack Safety	Discussion
7. Be able to handle a horse	7.1 Discuss how correct handling affects the horse	Correct handling may include: Empathy Consistency Respect Clear and timely aids	Discussion
	7.2 Handle horses safely	To include: Awareness of horse behaviour Be able to react accordingly In the stable Outside the stable	Observation and discussion
	7.3 Put on a headcollar and tie a horse up	To include: Approaching horse Safe and efficient procedure Checking fit of headcollar	Observation
	7.4 Hold a horse for treatment or inspection	To include: Holding and positioning horse Positioning of handler Awareness of horse behaviour and reactions	Observation
	7.5 Lead a horse in walk and trot in a bridle	Leading to include: Leading horse out of stable Leading horse in walk Turning the horse Leading horse in trot Appropriate positioning of handler Safe handling of horse Awareness of horse behaviour and reactions	Observation
	7.6 Describe how to turn out and catch a horse	Turning out may include: Safe and efficient procedure Individual horse Group of horses Awareness of dangers PPE to wear Positioning of horse and handler Releasing horse Catching to include: Safe and efficient procedure Approaching a horse Awareness of horse behaviour Awareness of other horses in field	Discussion
	7.7 Identify a range of routine field checks	Range = 3 or more Field checks to include: Regularity of checks Fencing (boundaries) Water Shelter Gate and gateway Ground conditions Poisonous plants - ragwort, oak, yew, foxglove, sycamore	Discussion
8. Be able to provide food and water to a horse	8.1 Explain a range of rules of feeding	Range = 2 or more Rules of feeding may include: Feed plenty of roughage Feed little and often Use good quality feed Feed according to workload and bodyweight Make changes to feed gradually Feed something succulent daily (food with water content for example grass) Avoid exercising one hour after cereal-based meals Maintain a consistent routine Practise good hygiene	Discussion
	8.2 State the importance of providing clean water to a horse	Importance to include: Health Welfare Weather conditions Following work Amount horse drinks in a day	Discussion
	8.3 Identify a range of common horse feeds	Range = 3 or more Horse feed may include: Coarse mix Cubes Chaff Sugar beet - unsoaked and soaked Soaked feed Balancers Hay Haylage Succulents and how to prepare (for example carrots)	Observation and discussion
	8.4 Identify signs of good and poor quality feed	Signs to include: Appearance Smell Feed to include: Forage Bagged feed	Discussion
	8.5 Describe how to prepare feed	Preparation to include: Following instructions Using a feed chart Soaking feed Soaking hay	Observation and discussion
	8.6 Provide a haynet to a horse	To include: Safe and efficient procedure Weighing haynet Tie haynet up safely	Observation
	8.7 State a range of methods for providing forage	Range = 2 or more Methods may include: Providing forage in the field Providing forage in the stable	Discussion
	8.8 Describe how to maintain good hygiene in feed areas	May include: Feed room Feed store Cleanliness Preventing vermin Cross contamination (for example use of supplements or medication) Buckets and utensils Storage	Discussion