Distance Learning Stable Management

[Mistertron]

I am wanting to learn more about horses and looking after horses and notice there are quite a few places that do distance learning horse courses. They do seem quite expensive (i could get a lot of riding lessons out of the cost of the course!) but i guess its worth it for the knowledge.

Has anyone got any experience of this type of course? any to recommend? to avoid? do they have any weight if you want to help out at a stables?

Thank you.

[nicolaj]

Hi, I'm completing the Lingfield Equine Care & Management Course Level 1:

http://www.horse-care.co.uk/level_1_syllabus.php

It's not too bad, I've learnt from it, has a BHS leaning, but then you can take the BHS horse owners certificate exam at the end of it it you like, but this does cost extra. The course is now £165 for the email version, plus the exam at about £45 and you have to pay for an invigilater (sorry can't spell today!) to come to your home as well, so maybe another £30-40. I'm not doing the BHS exam as I only want to do this for my own learning/knowledge not as a career choice.

I'm not sure whether I will go on and complete the next two levels, or do some short courses from these lot:

http://www.equinestudies.co.uk/index.jsp

I believe the Equi-study at Warwickshire College is quite good as well, might consider picking a couple of modules from this as well:

http://www.warkscol.ac.uk/equistudy/equistudy/home.asp

do they have any weight if you want to help out at a stables?


I don't know, but I'm sure it might help, because at least you are trying to improve your knowledge.

Does the riding stables/school you go to offer any courses? I've heard of some BHS and ABRS schools do offer courses, and some even do NVQs. Might be worth asking.

Good luck with what ever you decide to do.:)

[Bay Mare]

To be honest if you're wanting to learn about stable management you'd probably be best looking at the yards in your area to see if any of them run courses unless you're really only interested in the theory. Some of them run the HOC courses but you do the practical alongside the theory. Others may do the NVQ in Horse Care on a part time basis too (that's how I did mine).

As for helping out at stables they're usually more than happy to have 'helpers' in as long as you word hard and are reliable and sensible. Most are happy to show you the ropes and won't expect you to have 'qualifications' just to help out.

Good luck :D