BHS Horse Owners Certificate Level 1

chocchick · #1 1st Dec 2006, 10:43 AM

Has anyone done this?
My riding school runs a course for £135, and I was wondering if it was worth doing.
My reasons for doing it would be in case I got a loan/share in the future when my riding is a bit better, for confidence around horses and to meet people as I have private lessons. Any excuse for going to the stables more than my weekly lesson is good too.

I've got little experience/confidence in handling horses on the ground and can just about untack and groom with someone supervising.

1) What I'm not sure is how much practical experience you would get from it. Would it mainly be theoretical e.g. would I be able to tack up/un tack/groom confidently (I think I know but not practiced at the moment) or just know the theory and watch a demonstration on the course.

2) Is the exam a formality as you should know everything by attending the course- or do you have to revise and if so will it take a lot of time? Is is easy to do well? Is it a pass/fail or does it have grades?

3) Is it worth the money? Would I be better getting people at the stable to show me things rather than going on a course? I would hope OH or a relative would help me out for Christmas or my Birthday.

Bay Mare · #2 1st Dec 2006, 12:17 PM

It's a theoretical course but excellent for improving your horsey knowledge.

I think that it's worth the money, especially in your circumstances. I would probably say that it's better to do at a RS too because you get the practical as well as the theory.

I started (note the word 'started') mine via a correspondence course, had a major fallout (twice) with the person organising it and left in a huff. Which reminds me, I need to get the rest of the course work that I've paid for ....

Which school would you be doing it at?

Afellpony · #3 1st Dec 2006, 12:32 PM

Tell me about it!!!!!

chocchick · #4 1st Dec 2006, 01:07 PM

It's at Jojoba's (and mine) RS Smeltings.
Ithink they have a special room for teaching stuff like this.
The YO and instructors I've met are all really nice.

raingodz · #5 1st Dec 2006, 01:22 PM

I did consider going on this course, but I never managed to free up the time, and now I ended up working at my RS to learn more about looking after horses which has been a very useful thing to do.

I did put in my new years resolutions for this year but I have not got round to it - mainly due to a bit of a loss of confidance earlier in the year

so I must get it booked in early next year.

If I were you I'd look at the BHS stage 1 as another option, but it does depend on your long term plans, I want to work with horses at some point (before I get too old) so I think that the BHS stage training is the route I should go.

chocchick · #6 1st Dec 2006, 02:26 PM

What's the BHS stage 1 training? I don't really know anything about the courses, and wasn't thinkning about it before today - just saw the flyers about the owners one this morning.

eml · #7 1st Dec 2006, 02:55 PM

Just check if there is practical as well. The actual course is often just theory but when we run them we do one hour theory and one hour practical for six sessions.

Stage 1 is the first professional exam but from what you say your aims are I think you would enjoy the 'Horseowners' more

Horseowner papers are set and marked by the person giving the course so you will definately learn everything you need. You need a certain % to pass but in many years of doing the courses I have only had one person fail to get this and that was because they panicked and didn't write anything at all!

raingodz · #8 1st Dec 2006, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chocchick

What's the BHS stage 1 training? I don't really know anything about the courses, and wasn't thinkning about it before today - just saw the flyers about the owners one this morning.

The BHS stage training has parts of stable management, horse care, horse anatomy and health and riding. You can find more on the BHS website about them. But the courses and examas are quite expensive.

http://www.bhs.org.uk/content/Ods-Mo...rmation&area=2

JOJOBA · #9 1st Dec 2006, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Any excuse for going to the stables more than my weekly lesson is good too.

That's because we're all so lovely.

My mum did it many moons ago and thinks there was a practical and ridden element. It's all very basic at that level but useful for improving all round knowledge - my mum did it just before buying her first horse.

I should have done my Stage 1 a long time ago, need to get myself in gear and get it done because I want to get qualified to teach at some point. The Stage 1 is higher level than the Horse Owner's Certificate (although still pretty basic stuff). Why not have a chat with YO and see which she thinks would suit you better?

xxx

luckygirl · #10 1st Dec 2006, 04:51 PM

I've done the Horse Owner's Certificate One and Two. I am a mature rider and don't want to work with horses - just own some ! I enjoyed both courses - the first one is fairly basic but is still worth doing. I didn't have much practical training in my courses but you do need to know the theory too ! I have backed up the courses with practical days at a Riding school and by helping a friend.

Shiney · #11 5th Dec 2006, 09:52 PM

I've just completed BHS Horse owner cert. 1 and will be sitting my exam tommorrow. Fingers crossed for me! I am novice to horses and horse riding and found it very enjoyable and interesting. The course run at Shuttleworth College in Beds was 10 weeks - £110 all incl. was approx 1hr 45mins per lesson of which 1 hour was completely practical, 45mins classroom on 8 weeks out of 10. It included grooming, hoof picking, tacking up, cleaning tack, feeding, mucking out different types of bed, first aid and health. We were shown how to and then give a horse to work with in pairs, then inspected by teacher and discussed at the end. Gives lots of confidence with horses if your not used to handling. Will definately complete level 2.

Does anyone know where I can get my hands on mock exam. The one I have is the same as the PDF one on the BHS site. I'd like to practice some more questions.

Ta,

chocchick · #12 6th Dec 2006, 07:37 AM

Good luck with the exam

nicci1234 · #13 8th Dec 2006, 01:50 PM

I have been doing the above have my exam in two weeks ours ran with alot of theory and the most practical we have had was on health care where i had to take a horses temp nearest i have been to that end!! they dont teach you that in my lessons!!!
good fun though and i think useful i have done it as i am hoping to share next year1

Shiney · #14 8th Dec 2006, 06:09 PM

Thanks Chocchick. I hope you find the course your looking for! I asked my tutor about whether it is normal to have so much practical and she said its not expected in the syllabus at all, and most classes don't do much if any. Sounds like I was pretty lucky with my course.

The exam went well. My hand ached for writing so much, but I hope that a good sign. Find out in next few days.

chocchick · #15 9th Dec 2006, 02:34 AM

The yard owner said about 50% practical.
I think they would be really good even if it was more towards theory. I'm hoping santa will book me on the course

Bay Mare · #16 9th Dec 2006, 06:12 AM

Fingers crossed for you

Jo's place is a good place to do it.

halllv · #17 9th Dec 2006, 04:42 PM

I've done levels one to three and have my exam for level four this Tuesday

I've really enjoyed it. Our tutor has been great and I've met some lovely people. I found the course enjoyable, have a go