Stage 1 Care Syllabus | The British Horse Society

Stage 1 Care A

Learning Outcome Assessment

Learning Outcome	Assessment Criteria	Guidance on the breadth of content that may be covered during assessment	Assessment Method
1. Know about the responsibilities of working on the stable yard	1.1 Identify the responsibilities of working on the stable yard	The responsibilities of working on a stable yard may include: Reporting Safeguarding Health and Safety Equality and diversity Data protection Animal welfare concerns Employee role and responsibilities	Discussion
2. Be able to maintain a clean stable	2.1 Muck out and put a bed down	Full muck out (excluding deep litter). Common type of bedding e.g.: Shavings Straw Using utensils, e.g: Fork Shovel Brush Positioning of barrow, removal of droppings and wet, banking and bedding, sifting clean. Put a bed down to include: Adequate floor coverage and depth Banks Tidy up front of stable	Observation and discussion
	2.2 Provide water	Providing water should include: Checking the water receptacle is clean (bucket, drinker) Discuss cleaning/clean and refill receptacle	Observation and discussion
	2.3 Skip out and tidy a stable	Skip out: Removal of droppings Tidying the stable should include: Levelling the bedding Sweeping back Checking water	Observation and discussion
	2.4 Discuss the use of different types of bedding	Shavings Straw Wood pellets Paper Cardboard Rubber matting	Discussion
	2.5 Describe how to maintain muck heaps	Forking back Compacting down Keeping area around muck heap tidy	Discussion
3. Be able to carry out routine grooming tasks	3.1 State the reasons for grooming	The reasons could include: Appearance Cleanliness Condition of skin Check for injuries Relationship with horse Circulation	Discussion
	3.2 Identify items in a grooming kit	Body brush Dandy brush Flick brush Rubber curry comb Plastic curry comb Metal curry comb Water brush Hoof pick Sponges (eyes, nose and dock) Mane comb Mane and tail brush Cloth/stable rubber	Observation and discussion
	3.3 Groom a horse	Groom: Pick out feet Adjust rug as required Body, legs, neck, head, eyes, nose, bottom and tail	Observation
	3.4 Identify if a horse needs shoeing or trimming	Identify may include: Clenches Length of feet Condition of feet Loose shoe Lost shoe	Discussion
	3.5 Identify external parts of the horse’s foot	Wall Toe Bulbs of the heel Sole Frog Bars White line	Discussion
	3.6 Describe how to groom a horse after work	Check horse for injury Wash or brush off sweat Why and when you might use a cooler Access to water	Discussion
4. Be able to describe horses and know about horse behaviour and health	4.1 Identify some points of the horse	Poll Muzzle Crest Withers Shoulder Croup Loins Dock Elbow Knee Fetlock Pastern Coronet Stifle Hock	Observation and discussion
	4.2 Estimate the height of a horse	Height estimate of the horse: Hands or centimetres Should be within 10-15cm/4-6” of actual height	Observation and discussion
	4.3 Identify a range of colours and markings	Colours: Bay Chestnut Grey Dun Palomino Skewbald Piebald Roan Appaloosa Face markings: Blaze Stripe Star White face Snip Leg markings: White leg markings (socks and stockings are acceptable) Ermine marks	Observation and discussion
	4.4 Identify signs of good and poor health	General body condition Coat condition Eyes and nose Appetite Droppings Movement and stance Normal behaviour	Observation and discussion
	4.5 Describe routine checks to ensure health and welfare	Morning checks Evening checks General observations throughout the day	Discussion
	4.6 State the signs of a horse being overweight or underweight	Key areas of body to look at: Crest Ribs Quarters Importance of looking from all angles Overweight: Large crest Can’t feel or see ribs or hip bones Gutter down spine Underweight: Ribs and hips very prominent Spine visible Bones prominent	Discussion
	4.7 Describe a range of basic horse behaviours	Herd animals Flight or fight Grazers Pecking order How natural instincts may affect the horse when: Turned out Stabled Startled Left alone	Discussion
	4.8 Identify horse behaviour which may suggest danger	Body language Facial expressions Actions Ears pinned back and showing teeth Kicking out Turning quarters to face person Rearing Very alert, tense and snorting excessively	Discussion
5. Be able to use rugs appropriately	5.1 Identify different types of rugs	Different rug types: Stable rug Cooler Fly rug Know when to use different types of rug.	Observation and discussion
	5.2 Demonstrate how to put a rug on and take a rug off	Put a rug on and take a rug off: Method used must be safe Securing straps before putting rug on Folding the rug before placing on the horse Position over the back to allow for moving into position Securing and fastening of straps in a safe and logical sequence	Observation
	5.3 Assess the fit of the rug	Length Depth Length of straps	Observation and discussion
	5.4 Describe the consequences of a poor fitting rug	Rubs Injury to horse Damage to the rug	Discussion

Stage 1 Care B

Learning Outcome Assessment

Learning Outcome	Assessment Criteria	Guidance on the breadth of content that may be covered during assessment	Assessment Method
6. Be able to tack up and untack	6.1 Identify some parts of the saddle and bridle	Parts of the saddle: Cantle Pommel Seat Saddle flap Skirt Stirrup bar D rings Stirrup leathers Girth straps Girth guard Gullet Panels Parts of the bridle: Different types of noseband Cheekpieces Brow band Headpiece Reins Throat lash	Discussion
	6.2 Tack up and untack a horse with a saddle and bridle	Tack up: Safe procedure followed Secure horse Tack easily accessible Adjust headcollar and rope and put on bridle Secure bridle and headcollar when bridle is on the horse Secure reins so horse is safe to be left in the stable Adjust rug if required before putting on saddle Numnah/saddle cloth should be correctly attached to saddle Girth up Adjust rug over saddle Un-tack: Safe procedure followed Adjusting rope and headcollar for bridle removal Adjusting rug for saddle removal	Observation
	6.3 Put on a martingale	Running or standing martingale with bridle and saddle: Reins threaded through rings Rein stopper on bit side of ring Ensure hand width between neck strap and horse’s neck	Observation
	6.4 Put on a pair of brushing boots	A pair of boots with Velcro attachment: Front or hind boots Strike pads to inside of leg Straps fastened facing back	Observation
	6.5 Check tack for safety	Stirrup leathers Girth straps Cheek pieces Reins All buckles All areas where metal is in contact with leather	Observation and discussion
	6.6 State the signs of poorly fitted tack	Bridle: Bit height Tightness of noseband Tightness of throatlash Areas of pinching Saddle: Too narrow Too wide Too long Clearance of spine Not sitting level Areas of pinching Over tightened girth Numnah/saddle pad: Size and shape	Discussion
	6.7 State why tack should be checked for comfort and safety	Prevention of accidents caused by tack breaking Prevent injury, pain or discomfort to the horse Prevent injury to the rider from horse reacting to discomfort/pain	Discussion
	6.8 Clean tack	Strip bridle and remove dirt and grease with a sponge or cloth Apply leather dressing (saddle soap, cream) Wash bit Putting a bridle back together	Observation
	6.9 State the reasons for cleaning tack	Comfort for the horse, prevent rubbing and sores Condition of the tack, prolonging life, appearance Maintaining safety	Discussion
7. Be able to handle a horse	7.1 Put on a headcollar and tie a horse up	Approaching a well-mannered horse safely Fit headcollar Tie the horse with a quick release knot Put on headcollar securely	Observation
	7.2 Hold a horse for treatment/inspection	Hold and stand horse square Handler position to the side	Observation
	7.3 Lead a horse in walk and trot in a bridle	Lead a horse in walk: Turn the horse Lead horse in trot	Observation
	7.4 Discuss how to turn out and catch a horse	Safe positioning of horse and handler at all times Lead through gateway safely Horse released safely Gate closed Approaching a horse safely Put on headcollar or clip rope onto headcollar	Discussion
	7.5 Describe how to handle horses safely in the field	Dangers when turning horses out Awareness of the position of other horses Awareness of horse behaviour and how this may affect the horse being handled Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Securing the horse being handled When not to go into a field How to keep yourself safe	Discussion
	7.6 Identify routine field checks	Fencing (unsuitable/suitable) Water Shelter Gate Excessively poached ground Overstocked Excessive droppings Poisonous plants (ragwort, oak, yew, foxglove, sycamore)	Discussion
	7.7 Handle horses according to their behaviour	Awareness of: Horses’ facial expressions Body language React accordingly	Observation and discussion
8. Be able to feed and water a horse	8.1 Explain some rules of feeding	Provide fresh clean water at all times Always measure feeds Feed little and often Feed plenty of forage Feed good quality feeds (forage and bagged feed) Make changes to feed and forage gradually Do not work hard straight after large bucket feed Keep a routine Feed according to bodyweight, work done and temperament	Discussion
	8.2 State the importance of providing water to a horse	Essential for life Amount horse drinks in a day Needed for all normal bodily functions Sweat	Discussion
	8.3 Explain commonly used horse feed	Coarse mix Cubes Chaff Sugar beet (unsoaked and soaked) Balancers Hay Haylage	Observation and discussion
	8.4 Identify signs of poor quality feed	Bagged feed and forage: Recognise good and poor quality feed from appearance and smell	Discussion
	8.5 Describe how to prepare feed following instructions	Demonstrate use of scoop Using a feed chart Soaking sugar beet Soaking hay Carrots Giving the correct feed to the correct horse	Observation and discussion
	8.6 Provide a haynet to a horse	Follow a safe procedure: Weigh haynet on scale Tie haynet up safely	Observation
	8.7 State the different methods of providing forage	Different methods: Haynets Hayracks Haybags Feeding from floor How to provide hay in a field	Discussion
	8.8 Describe good hygiene in feed areas	Clean up after feeding Clean buckets, scoops and stirrers New bags of feed shouldn’t be emptied on top of old feeds Check dates on bags of feed Rodent control Avoid mould and dirt Avoid medication cross-contamination	Discussion