BHS Horse Owner's Certificate- can I simply take the exam?

[Holly B]

I am looking to work as an equine therapist when I leave school and a course I'm very interested in is the ICAT equine sports massage course. However, you need either a BHS stage 2 certificate, Pony Club B test or Horse Owner's certificate. I am assuming by this that level one HO certificate counts, you don't have to do all four levels? Anyways, I was wondering, do I have to pay large amounts of money to go on one of the courses where they teach you, or can I simply sit the exam(s)?
I am very experienced, have ridden for 11 years and owned/loaned for 7 years. I have looked through the syllabus and feel that I am more than capable of what the level one asks for, and the other 3 levels with a tiny bit of revision. My horsey knowledge is vast to the point of being sad, I read every book and magazine I can afford. Repeatedly. :o :D I would rather not have to pay an instructor to teach me things I already know as it seems a bit pointless...

[eml]

I would have though that if they are seeking BHS Stage 2 or Pony Club B they would want at least Level 2 HOC or even higher. HOC Tests are set by the person delivering the course so no you are unlikely to be able to sit them without attending the course. To be honest I wouldn't compare the three qualifications as the HOC can be totally theoretical and often done at evening class without any contact with horses.

[Holly B]

I was on the ICAT site again today and have discovered it says that you need Horse Owner's Certificate level 2. Hmmm, that's annoying if I can't just sit the exams... I really can't afford to pay for the tuition especially if I am saving up to do things like massage courses next year!
Though, it also says that if you don't have stage 2/PC B/ HO 2 then they will accept you if you have had 3 years in the horse industry, preferably at a professional yard or at competition level.
I'm not quite sure what it means by 'at competition level', whether you have to have worked with horses or whether owning and competing your own horse shows you are competent around horses and they will accept that. It says that they can do informal interviews over the phone if your qualifications are different to those mentioned so I may email them and ask what they mean by 'at competition level'. I'm also not entirely sure what the definition is of a 'professional yard'... do you think this means only top competitive yards or simply any stables that is run as a business, i.e. a livery yard or riding school. Thye instructor I have lessons with is often in need of help, I'm sure I could work there for a while, even for free, just to show I have experience...
I'm rambling and will now shut up. :D

[devon lass]

Sounds like you have the experience and knowledge to do level 1 and 2 quite easily, I did up to levels 1-3 last years (at the same time as my GCSE exams, so it wasnt very time consuming - a 2hour lesson once a week and no revision!) and i didn't find them very hard.

Why not contact a local instructor who is running the course and simply ask if you can sit the exam with them? We were all sat in my instructors kitchen when we did them and it was very informal.

As for costs, I'm not sure what it is like in different parts of the country and I suppose it depends on group size etc, but my cost about 30 pounds for each level and then another 15 for the actual exam, hope this helps

hope it all goes well

[roan rebel]

You can take the Stage exams and the Horse Owner's exams without having done a course. However you need to be pretty confident about your knowledge, abilities and methods to do this - try downloading the Syllabii (in PDF format - you will need Adobe or similar) from the BHS web site so you know exactly what is required.