Start Date
- September 2025, Full Time
Summary
This course has been designed by employers to deliver up-to-date practical and technical skills. You'll explore a range of relevant skills and subject areas, including equine health and welfare, equine nutrition, stable duties, horse riding, biology, horse tack and more. You will practise this knowledge is a real life work experience setting, typically at a livery yard, stud or competition yard. You will be able to study on either the Riding or Groom Pathway.
The Program of Study combines the City and Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate in Equine Care, with Functional Skills or GCSE English and Maths lessons (depending on previous qualifications), work experience and weekend duties.
You will need to purchase your PPE for the Equine Centre. Details with what is required will be provided at enrolment. You will work in all weather conditions, both indoors and outdoors, ensuring our horses are provided with the highest welfare standards. During practical sessions, you will be involved with yard duties, which includes mucking out, maintaining the yards and paddocks, feeding, grooming and exercising the horses.
Why Our College?
£7bn
The UK equine industry is worth £7bn and is particularly strong in the East of England, which has a global reputation for horse breeding.
Gain industry experience
Our college has strong links with the industry, ensuring high quality work experience opportunities at livery stables breeders, trainers and equine charities.
State-of-the-art facilities
Our Equestrian Centre contains an outstanding range of facilities, is a highly commended British Horse Society approved yard and hosts a wide variety of dressage competitions and events throughout the year.
Entry Requirements
- Achieve 4 GCSE's at grade 3 or above, including English Language, science and maths.
- Completion of a taster day
Entry onto the Riding Pathway will require successful completion of a riding assessment. As a guide, students should have a riding ability close to the British Horse Society (BHS) Stage 1 Ride standard. Due to the nature and welfare of the horses at the college, there is a personal weight restriction of 85 kg. Non-riding options are available by taking the Groom Pathway.
Link to BHS Stage 1 ride qualification structure: https://www.bhs.org.uk/media/pyolvz4i/stage-1-ride-qualification-structure-09-09-19.pdf
Learning Outcomes
Units include:
- Undertake routine stable duties
- The principles of feeding and watering
- Equine health and welfare
- Horse tack and equipment
- Horse handling and grooming
- Introduction to lunging horses
- Working in the equine industry
- Health and safety for the land-based industries
- Work placement (minimum 150 hours)
Please note, units are subject to review each academic year and may change.
Assessment
To achieve the Level 2 Technical Certificate in Equine Care, students need to complete all the following components:
- Animal Care Synoptic assignment
- Animal Care Theory exam
- Health and Safety Theory exam
- Theory and practical assignments
- 150 hours of work experience
Progression
Upon successful completion at Merit and achieving your English and Maths GCSEs at grade 4 or above, you could progress to Level 3 Diploma in Equine Management. Achieving a Pass, with either English or Maths at a grade 4, you could study the Level 3 Certificate in Equine Management. Alternatively you may wish to gain employment or an apprenticeship.
Career Progression
Yard Groom, Trekking Assistant, Stud hand, Equine Retail Assistant.
Fees
If you are a UK or home fee status student and aged 16-18 on the 31st August before the start of your course, tuition fees are free. If you are aged 19 and over fees may be payable.
There may be some costs for trips, visits or additional qualifications.
