BHS courses

[WelshDreamer]

Hi, I would like to do the BHS courses as a bit of fun to extend my horse knowledge, I know i can do them from home but does it have a time scale?
And do i have to do all of the stages? and is it a good idea, have any of you done it for abit of fun?

[Susan]

Hi,
I did a Stage 1 course - I was doing it only for my own knowledge and as a personal goal. With the Stage 1, anyone can book to sit the exam at anytime - you don't have to attend any classes or anything first, so its up to you if you feel you want to take a year of lessons or if you want to phone up tomorrow and book in for the first available exam slot!

Although you can study the theory side of it at home, two thirds of it is practical - the riding section and the care section, so I would advise at least having a lesson at an examination centre where they can assess you and tell you if you are going to be OK. Also, have a stable management lesson just to make sure you are not in any little habits that BHS would consider dangerous.

For the riding section, you will ride two horses. You walk, trot and canter, trot without stirrups and trot over poles. Doesn't sound like much,but its nervewracking, lol! For the care you have to tack up, groom, muck out, put on a rug, put on a tail bandage. The theory side is mainly about feeding, health and horse psychology.

I wonder, are you thinking of the horse owner's certificates which are entirely theory based and maybe more suited to home study?

You don't have to do all the stages, and you can take just the riding part or just the care part if you like, althogh this works out more expensive.