BHS Complete Horsemanship: Volume 4

Introduction

Stage 4

Stage 5

Introduction

Welcome to the Complete Horsemanship Volume 4 from The British Horse Society (BHS).

This book is designed to support you as you progress and develop your knowledge and understanding from Stage 3 level to that of Stage 4 (previously known as the BHSII) and then ultimately to Stage 5 (previously known as the BHSI). Designed with your career in mind, the BHS Career Pathway offers a learning platform to help you reach your goals. The structure consists of world-leading and globally recognised qualifications, which will support you on your journey of lifelong learning in the equestrian world.

The BHS is the largest provider of equestrian education and qualifications in the UK and, as such, we believe it is our duty to ensure we reach and inspire those individuals who will truly make a difference to the future of our sector. As the BHS seeks constantly to raise the standards of our approved centres, it is essential that their needs are supported by developing a workforce that delivers knowledge, quality and leadership. Centres and commercial yards often find it difficult to recruit for certain roles because of the lack of high-calibre candidates in the employment market, and research and experience has shown that more individuals are needed at the higher levels of training, whether as grooms, professional riders, coaches or yard managers. The first of the BHS's charitable objectives is to promote and advance the education, training and safety of the public in all matters relating to the horse. This requires a higher standard of horsemanship and coaching than we have explored in Volumes 1-3, and is aimed at producing equestrian coaches who can work efficiently and competently without supervision and also have the specific skills to train others. Stage 4 senior coaches are qualified to coach riders up to Elementary level dressage, Novice horse trials and Discovery showjumping, while Stage 5 performance coaches are qualified to work with riders to the level of Advanced Medium dressage, Intermediate horse trials and Foxhunter level showjumping.

The Stage 4 and 5 complete horsemanship qualifications each consist of five different sections that you are able to take in a timescale to suit you.

Stage 4

In the Care section, you will be expected to be able to select, fit and evaluate a range of specialist tack for competition and understand the principles of nutrition, fittening and horse physiology. You will be asked to assess the conformation of a horse and have a thorough knowledge of equine health issues that may arise. At this level, you will need to have an in-depth knowledge of the requirements needed to ensure the highest welfare standards for different groups of horses, such as older, younger, competition horses as well as broodmares and foals.

Stage 4 Management has been designed to address the increasing demands on staff with more responsibility on a yard and raise awareness for the changes in legislation surrounding equestrian businesses. The skills that you will need to develop involve understanding the importance of caring for clients and how this will be relevant in your business, as well as having effective interpersonal skills. You will understand the responsibilities of a yard manager, including managing staff, accounts and record-keeping and have a thorough knowledge of the practicalities of managing a yard, including marketing, facilities and grassland management.

The requirements for the lungeing section at Stage 4 level mean that you will be expected to be able to lunge a fit competition horse in order to develop and improve his way of going. This means that you should be able to assess and evaluate his way of going and develop a plan of progression for him in the future. Relevant factors include being able to identify the age, temperament and fitness of the horse you are working with, and to assess his way of going in all three gaits, You should also be confident to use and alter equipment as needed, including poles. You will be able to discuss the impact of the lunge work and evaluate the use of various training aids for lungeing.

The riding section is based on your ability to train a horse at differing stages of his training. Following discussions with focus groups in the industry, the BHS has recognised that there is a demand for riders to choose to specialise in different disciplines, so there are now routes for eventing/complete (where you will ride horses on the flat, over showjumps and across country), dressage or showjumping - although we would always encourage the complete riding route for your all-round development. The horses you will ride may be young, green or 'sharp' as well as more experienced, and you will be expected to analyse the Training Scale and provide in-depth explanations, analysis and solutions on training horses. You will have to demonstrate your experience in the training of horses from birth to riding away, and develop flatwork to Elementary level, showjumping to 1.10m and horse trials to Novice (1.0m) standard.

The senior coaching also gives you the opportunity to follow the different pathways, as you may be a freelance coach or looking to develop as a trainer across a specific discipline. It gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your experience and skills to independently train and coach individuals and groups of riders, working with riders either on their own horses or supplied by centres, showcasing appropriate coaching styles to develop riders and train horses to British Dressage Elementary, British Showjumping Discovery and British Eventing 100.

Stage 5

The Stage 5 is the penultimate qualification in the BHS system - only superseded by the pinnacle of the equestrian world - the BHS Fellow.

At this level, you will be working with horses and riders who can bridge the gap between training at the grass roots level (new/novice riders, young/green horses, learner teachers) and those competing in national classes to the levels shown. You will demonstrate an impeccable record of integrity and set the highest standard at all times, with commitment to continued development of health and safety within the equestrian industry. It is essential that you are a good communicator and able to impart knowledge with clarity and impact, and show natural aptitude and empathy in your riding and coaching. Above all, as with all BHS qualifications, a Stage 5 Performance Coach will work tirelessly for the good of the horse, and be capable of fulfilling a senior role within an equestrian business.

In the Stage 5 care section, you will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of nutritional and dietary needs at different stages of the fittening programme for a variety of horses, as well as being able to fit and evaluate tack for a range of situations at all levels of competition and training. The management of competition horses pre-, during and post-competition is an important element of this qualification, as is assessing a horse prior to purchase, with a view to considering his static and dynamic conformation for purpose and physical condition. You will understand how to assess the horse's lower leg and foot balance with a view to evaluating remedial shoes and how they would be used alongside other common practices for treating lameness. You must also be able to differentiate between muscles, tendons and ligaments on the skeletal frame and identify common injuries to these structures. You will have a clear understanding of how to care for specific groups of horses, in particular, older, younger, competition horses and horses who are in a rehabilitation programme. The care and procedures around breeding, foaling and the starting of young horses is another area of expertise that you should be familiar with, as are the indications and legal requirements for end of life care.

At Stage 5, the management requirement is based on your ability to be able to run a commercial equestrian business, so you will need to be confident when presenting to students, training staff and when managing other people with whom you come into regular contact in the course of running an equestrian business. This demands an in-depth knowledge of how to support staff well-being, as well as being up to date with current employment regulations. You will understand the financial implications and requirements for a commercial equine business and be able to implement health and safety requirements. In today's fast-changing environment, it is important that you have an awareness of the need to explore diversification opportunities and the need for sustainability. You should be confident with marketing and online bookings and be able to develop and maintain the facilities on your yard.

Working the horse from the ground at Stage 5 level includes the ability to long-rein horses and understand the value and implications of this work.

The riding section can be selected at the differing discipline options as in Stage 4, but requires a more advanced level of riding and training the horses - to Advanced Medium level dressage, over a 1.20m track showjumping and much more technically demanding cross-country fences. You will also be able to critically analyse the way of going for each horse, as well as discussing a plan of work to develop training and confidence in each instance.

For the coaching (which again will replicate the structure of the Stage 4), you will be required to identify and assess a horse/rider combination, providing analysis and goal-setting. This will include identifying measurable outcomes at key points,...