Stage 4 Unit 1 Senior Care Syllabus | The British Horse Society

Stage 4 Senior Care

*Where the assessment method states ‘trainer endorsement’, the criteria is required to be signed off in the Skills Record prior to the assessment day. On the assessment day, the learner will be assessed in detail on one or more assessment criteria through a ‘viva’ process with the assessor to clarify competence.

If a learner fails the ‘viva’ assessment, they’ll be required to be reassessed against the full Learning Outcome and assessment criteria.

Learning Outcome	Assessment Criteria	Guidance on the Content to be Learnt During Training and Sampled During Assessment	Assessment Method
1. Be able to use specialist tack in a safe and efficient manner	1.1 Maintain safe handling and working procedures for health, safety and welfare	Health, safety and welfare of self, others and horses to be considered whilst: Handling fit horses in the stable Showing respect for the horse and their surroundings Awareness of how the horse may react to the task/s Safe positioning of tack in and around stable Positioning self and horse for designated task	Observation
	1.2 Manage own time efficiently	Manage own time: Prioritising tasks Work efficiently	Observation
	1.3 Explain a range of methods of restraint to ensure safety of horse and handler	Range = 2 or more. Methods of restraint: Bridle Lunge cavesson Control headcollar Skin pinch Lip twitch (and unacceptable twitches – ear twitch) Chifney Stallion chains Veterinary prescribed sedative	Discussion
	1.4 Select, fit and evaluate tack for different situations	Select and fit tack for the following: Dressage tack: Modern comfort bridle Variations of nosebands in current use Double bridle Dressage saddle Pad, cloth, numnah Girth (including ergonomic) Show jumping tack: Bridle (this can be a double bridle) Martingale/breast plate Noseband(s) Jumping saddle Alternative stirrups Spur guard Leg protection Girth/stud girth, ergonomic Cross country tack: Bridle (this can be a double bridle) Martingale Suitable reins Noseband(s) Jumping saddle Girth/stud girth, ergonomic Breast plate (to include five point) Leg protection Modern safety and comfort stirrups Endurance / trekking / long distance riding tack: Washable or lightweight bridle General purpose saddle (synthetic or leather) Girth (including ergonomic) Stirrups (toe cages) Seat saver Comfortable pad for horse Saddle bag Coiled leadrope on saddle Neck strap Evaluate tack, including: Consideration of horse welfare Effectiveness for purpose Consideration of competition rules	Observation and discussion
	1.5 Evaluate a range of training aids for riding	Range = 3 or more. Aids may include: Draw reins Bungees Market Harborough Harbridge De Gogue Evaluate through discussion, including: Consideration of horse welfare Effectiveness for purpose Consideration of competition rules	Discussion
	1.6 Evaluate use of a range of bits	Range = 3 or more. Evaluate suitability of bits in relation to anatomy of the mouth and horse’s way of going. Bits to include: Snaffles Double bridle bits Gags Pelhams Bitless bridles Dressage legal bits Other bits in common use Evaluate through discussion, including: Consideration of horse welfare Effectiveness for purpose Consideration of competition rules	Discussion
	1.7 Evaluate leg protection for a range of situations	Range = 2 or more. Evaluate leg protection for: Cross country Show jumping Dressage Endurance / trekking (riding over a distance) Turning horses out Evaluate through discussion, including: Consideration of horse welfare Effectiveness for purpose Consideration of competition rules	Discussion
2. Understand nutritional requirements of horses	2.1 Explain nutritional and dietary needs for a range of horses	Range = 2 or more. Horses to include: Dressage (medium) Eventing (intermediate) Show jumping (foxhunter) Endurance / trekking (50 miles / 80km) Show horses Stallions Developing young stock (including fast growing young stock) Nutritional and dietary needs, for example: Type of feed Bulk to concentrate ratios Consideration to the stage of fitness of the horse How and when to feed	Trainer endorsement*
	2.2 Evaluate the use of vitamin and mineral supplements in horses’ diets	Supplements to include: Provision of vitamins and minerals within the food ration Supplementary feeding, how and when	Trainer endorsement*
	2.3 Analyse the management of a range of health conditions that may be linked to nutrition	Range = 3 or more. Management to include: How the condition may be linked to poor nutrition Diet Turnout vs stabling Exercise Routine Health conditions to include: Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER) (tying up) Lymphangitis Filled legs Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) (diabetes) Gastric ulcers Colic Laminitis Obesity Developmental Orthopaedic Disease (DOD) Dehydration	Trainer endorsement*
3. Understand the management of competition horses	3.1 Analyse the management of competition horses pre, during and post competition	Management to include: Pre competition: Daily routine Use of popular management techniques and equipment (for example; massage, massage pads, stretching, magnetic therapy, hydro treatments) Workload Transportation within home based country (regulations, passport and relevant paperwork) Routine and care of horse upon arrival Equine anti-doping guidelines Clean sport Testing procedures During competition: Grooming and presentation of horse Feeding, hydration Care and management techniques at a competition Cooling off and care of legs after competition (ice boots, hosing) Checking for injury Stabling away from home Post competition: Checking for injury (strains, pulls etc.) Routine, turnout Use of popular management techniques and equipment (for example; massage, massage pads, stretching, magnetic therapy, hydro treatments)	Trainer endorsement*
	3.2 Evaluate the different fitness processes required for a range of performance horses	Range = 2 or more. Performance horses: Show jumping (foxhunter) Dressage (medium) Eventing (intermediate) Endurance/trekking (50 miles / 80km) Show horses Fitness processes may include: Interval training Traditional methods Fitness programs Swimming Treadmill Gallops	Trainer endorsement*
4. Be able to maintain a horse’s physical wellbeing	4.1 Assess a horse’s static conformation and physical condition	Assessment to include consideration of type, size, sex, age, and evaluate the type of work the horse is suited for. Static conformation: Ageing the horse Bone structure (length of bone/angles) Strengths and weaknesses relating to the frame and covering muscular structure Dividing horse into sections How proportion and balance influence soundness and the ride Physical condition: Condition/fat scoring Level of fitness Muscular development Temperature, pulse and respiration (TPR) – will not need to take TPR but understand how it could be used to evaluate the condition Skin conditions (sarcoids/sweet itch/melanoma) Hoof condition	Observation and discussion
	4.2 Analyse a horse’s lower leg and foot balance	Analysis to include: Front and hind Conformation of limbs (bone spavin, bog spavin, thoroughpin, curb, windgalls, splints) Relationship of hoof pastern axis Foot balance implications and conditions (ringbone, sidebone, navicular disease, windgalls, splints) Signs of previous injury	Observation and discussion
	4.3 Assess a horse’s dynamic conformation	Assessment to include: Walk in hand Trot in hand Turning and reversing Flexion test (discussion only) Lungeing for soundness (discussion only) Quality of movement Soundness in pace Foot balance implications Relate to static conformation	Observation and discussion
	4.4 Explain how a range of remedial equipment would be used in the prevention or rehabilitation of lameness	Range = 2 or more. Remedial equipment to include: Standard shoe Rolled toe shoe Support shoe Raised heel shoe Bar shoe Glue-on shoe Heart bar shoe Gel pads – silicon / impression materials The use and fitting of hoof boots for unshod horses	Discussion
	4.5 Analyse the use of current bandaging methods	Bandaging methods: Support Pressure Stable Foot	Discussion
	4.6 Select and apply a suitable foot dressing or a figure of eight bandage	To include: Foot dressing with poultice (or substitute) and suitable bandages and duct tape A figure of eight bandage for wound protection	Observation and discussion
	4.7 Explain the function of a range of muscle groups	Function – with reference to locomotion and pace. Range of muscle groups = 2 or more of the following: Quarters Back Shoulders Neck and top line Abdominal	Observation and discussion
	4.8 Explain the role of the main tendons and ligaments in the lower leg	Learners will need to identify the relevant tendons and ligaments in the lower leg and explain their role. To include: Front and hind lower leg Flexor and extensor tendons Annular, check and suspensory ligaments Connection to muscle (going to top of leg) and bone structure	Observation and discussion
	4.9 Explain a range of common injuries to tendons and ligaments and their treatment	Range = 2 or more. Tendons and ligaments: Suspensory Check Flexor Extensor Collateral ligament damage Common injuries: Sprain / pull Strain / tear Laceration	Discussion
	4.10 Explain how to prevent injuries to tendons and ligaments	Prevention to include the importance of: Adjusting work to ground conditions Correct warm up and cool down Inspection and care of legs after competition Injuries more commonly seen in specific disciplines Fitness and initial work in fitness program	Discussion
	4.11 Explain a range of common treatments and therapies	Range = 3 or more. Treatments and therapies: Veterinary intervention Treadmill Heat lamps or pads Stretching Circulatory treatments (massage, shockwave, magnetic, ultra sound, TENS, etc.) Care of legs Hydro treatments Rehabilitation work Walking in hand and under saddle Cold and warm treatment	Discussion
5. Understand the care of horses	5.1 Explain how to maintain health and wellbeing of horses	To include: Horse welfare Cleanliness Isolation Dealing with new horses (psychological wellbeing) Contagion and infection, common conditions Biosecurity measures Recognising hazards Risk management Health and safety policy Ensuring effective communication with all stakeholders	Trainer endorsement*
	5.2 Explain procedures for managing a suspected outbreak of a contagious disease	Procedures to include: Symptom identification Immediate procedures Short, medium and long term action planning	Trainer endorsement*
	5.3 Evaluate end of life care	End of life care to include: Assessing quality of life Signs that may indicate the need for euthanasia Procedure and veterinary intervention Carcass disposal Passport requirements	Trainer endorsement*
6. Understand the care of mares and youngstock	6.1 Explain how mares in foal should be cared for	To include: Feeding Turn out Vaccinations and worming	Trainer endorsement*
	6.2 Describe the signs a mare is due to foal	Signs in relation to: Shape Udder Behaviour Muscle tone	Trainer endorsement*
	6.3 Explain the foaling process	Foaling process to include: Choice to foal inside or outside Normal foaling process Identifying problems and when veterinary intervention is required Immediate after care (importance of colostrum, passing of meconium, retention of afterbirth)	Trainer endorsement*
	6.4 Evaluate care options for the mare and foal	Options may include: Stabling Turning out Handling Company of others Health checks Breed of mare	Trainer endorsement*
	6.5 Explain the physical needs of young horses	Physical needs to include: Group turn out; value of company for young horses, types of horses suitable for group turn out with young horses Stabling; evaluate whether there is need to stable young horses compared to 24/7 turnout. Consider factors such as breed, time of year and turn out availability Weaning; methods of weaning, age of foal Castration; when required, age of horse Feeding; requirements (consider factors such as breed, age and environment) Health care including joint development	Trainer endorsement*
	6.6 Explain methods of handling young horses	Methods of handling to include: Daily routine attention; general handling, picking up/out feet, grooming, tying up Work in hand; leading, trotting up Introduction to loading and transportation	Trainer endorsement*
7. Understand the care of older horses	7.1 Explain how to recognise the signs of ageing	Signs of ageing in relation to: Muscle tone Dental changes Eating habits Stiffness Coat colour	Trainer endorsement*
	7.2 Explain ongoing care of the older horse	Ongoing care to include: Feeding Management Turn out Work	Trainer endorsement*

Stage 4 Senior Care Syllabus

Stage 4 Senior Care