Stage 2 Care Syllabus | The British Horse Society

Stage 2 Care

Learning Outcome Assessment

Learning Outcome	Assessment Criteria	Guidance on the Content	Assessment Method
1. Know about the roles, rights, and responsibilities of an Assistant Groom	1.1 Describe the roles of the Assistant Groom	Roles to include: Caring for and meeting the needs of horses’ health and welfare Daily routine yard activity Communicating with others related to horse care and yard activity Working under supervision and according to instruction	Discussion
	1.2 Describe the responsibilities of the Assistant Groom	Responsibilities to include: Ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of the horse Responding to incidents and emergency situations (fire procedure, accidents) Reporting to the named responsible person, if appropriate Recognizing deterioration in a horse’s quality of life Preparing and maintaining the stable environment Carrying out routine horse care tasks Storing and maintaining horse equipment	Discussion
	1.3 Describe a range of legal requirements when working on a stable yard	Range = 2 or more Legal requirements to include: Horse Welfare Employment rights (e.g., contract of employment, National Minimum Wage) Health and Safety Safeguarding Equality, diversity, and inclusion Data protection	Discussion
2. Be able to fit tack and boots on a horse	2.1 Fit a bridle and hunting breastplate	Bridle: Snaffle bridles with different nosebands Fit: Adjust bridle to fit the horse Adjust the breastplate to fit the horse Secure the breastplate to the saddle correctly	Observation and discussion
	2.2 Put on a saddle and check the fit for comfort	Check fit for comfort, including: Suitable clearance over spine Saddle is not too narrow or too wide Check for any pinching Sitting level on the horse’s back Fit the saddle with and without a numnah/saddle cloth	Observation and discussion
	2.3 Fit brushing boots and overreach boots	To include: Brushing boots Fastening or pull-on overreach boots	Observation and discussion
3. Be able to prepare a horse to travel	3.1 Fit travel equipment to the horse	Travel equipment to include: Head collar Travel boots Tail guard Tail bandage Rug, if required	Observation
3. Be able to prepare a horse to travel	3.2 Handle a horse safely in preparation for loading	Handle to include: Leading the horse to a loading area Control of the horse Awareness of horse behaviour Awareness of others Leading the horse back to the stable Questions may be asked to check further understanding.	Observation and discussion
4. Know about horse behaviour	4.1 Describe normal behaviour	Normal behaviour to include: Relaxed Natural instincts Eating and drinking	Discussion
	4.2 Describe the signs of an unsettled horse	Signs may include: Flight – running away Calling – to other horses Fidgety and agitated Pacing and moving around Sweating Raised breathing Withdrawn	Discussion
	4.3 Outline the factors that may cause a horse to become unsettled	Range = 4 or more Factors may include: Stress Separation from others Unable to graze or move about freely Anxiety Temperature changes Change of environment Other horses Weather conditions Sign of illness	Discussion
5. Understand how to feed horses	5.1 Describe methods used to weigh a horse	Methods may include: Weighbridge Weigh tape Visual estimation	Observation and discussion
	5.2 Explain a range of factors that may affect a horse's weight	Factors include: Type Age Workload Health Environment	Discussion
	5.3 Describe the required feed amount	Include: 2% of bodyweight Feed chart	Discussion
6. Know about basic horse anatomy	6.1 Describe the function and components of the digestive system	Function to include: Digestion of food Components to include: Teeth Mouth Esophagus Stomach Small intestine Large intestine Rectum Anus	Discussion
	6.2 Identify the location of a range of key organs	Range = 2 or more Key organs: Heart Lungs Kidneys Stomach	Observation and discussion
	6.3 Identify a range of major bones of the skeletal system	Range = 5 or more Major bones: Skull (mandible, cranium, temporal bone) Vertebrae (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccygeal) Ribs Forelimb (scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, cannon bone) Hind limb (pelvis, femur, tibia, patella, cannon bone) Sesamoid Long/short pastern Navicular Pedal	Observation and discussion
7. Understand horse fitness	7.1 Describe the signs of an unfit horse	Signs may include: Soft condition Slow recovery rates Lethargy Tiring easily Raised respiration Early onset of sweating	Discussion
7. Understand horse fitness	7.2 Explain the reasons for maintaining fitness	Reasons to include: Horse welfare Preventing injury Improving performance	Discussion
8. Be able to maintain a horse’s health	8.1 Explain a range of routine health procedures	Range = 2 or more Routine health procedures: Worming/tests for worms Vaccinations Teeth Shoeing/trimming	Discussion
	8.2 Demonstrate how to administer an oral horse treatment	Administer to include: Restrain the horse Measure quantity Administer to horse	Observation and discussion
	8.3 Describe signs of lameness	Signs may include: Reluctance to weight bear Pointing a toe on a front leg Nodding of head Uneven hind leg movement	Discussion
	8.4 Describe a range of common types of wounds	Range = 2 or more Common types of wounds: Puncture Open (lacerated/incised) Grazes Bruises Pressure sores	Discussion
	8.5 Explain a range of basic first aid procedures for wounds	Range = 2 or more Procedures include: Cleaning Cold hosing Poulticing Tubbing	Discussion
9. Be able to prepare a horse for presentation	9.1 Describe a range of trimming procedures	Range = 3 or more Trimming procedures: Tidying manes and tails Trimming feathers, jaw, tail, and bridle path Where not to trim	Discussion
9. Be able to prepare a horse for presentation	9.2 Plait a mane	To include: Securing/holding the horse Dampening mane Dividing into even sections Using appropriate tension Using bands	Observation and discussion
10. Understand how to care for a horse’s feet	10.1 Explain the reasons for shoeing and trimming a horse’s feet	Reasons include: Health and wellbeing of the horse Protecting and maintaining hoof condition Work and environment suitability	Discussion
	10.2 Describe how to remove a shoe from a horse	To include: Identifying tools and how to use them Positioning of self and horse Actions required to remove a shoe	Observation and discussion
	10.3 Describe the signs of a well-cared-for foot	Signs include: Level of foot on the ground Hoof/pastern axis Shoe securely attached	Discussion
11. Understand the environment for keeping horses	11.1 Explain a range of requirements for a turnout area	Range = 2 or more Requirements include: Fencing/boundaries Gates Water Shelter Grass or access to forage	Discussion
11. Understand the environment for keeping horses	11.2 Identify potential hazards in a turnout area	Range = 4 or more Potential hazards include: Unsafe fencing Litter Poisonous plants Public access to horses	Discussion