Stage 3 Care Syllabus | The British Horse Society

Stage 3 Care

Learning Outcome Assessment

Learning Outcome	Assessment Criteria	Guidance on the Content	Assessment Method
1. Understand the roles, rights, and responsibilities of a Groom	1.1 Explain the roles of a Groom	Roles to include: Managing the stable yard and environment Caring for and meeting the needs of horses Managing daily routine yard activity Communicating and guiding others on care and yard activity	Discussion
	1.2 Explain the responsibilities of a Groom	Responsibilities to include: Ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of the horse Promoting equestrianism and horse welfare Working independently Monitoring Quality of Life for elderly, ill, or injured horses Raising concerns with senior staff and consulting a vet	Discussion
	1.3 Explain a range of current legislation applicable to stable yards	Range = 2 or more Health and safety Safeguarding Data protection Horse welfare Horse transportation	Discussion
	1.4 Explain employment rights	The rights of the employee: Contract of employment Holiday Sick pay Pension Self-employed: Set own hours of work Set own rates of pay Responsible for tax returns Responsible for insurance	Discussion
2. Be able to use equipment for flatwork and jumping	2.1 Fit tack for flatwork	Tack to include: Double bridle, curb and bridoon bits, cavesson noseband, curb chain Saddle suitable for flatwork	Observation
	2.2 Evaluate the fit of the flatwork tack	Fit to include: Check for comfort Condition and suitability of tack Action of bits and noseband	Observation and Discussion
	2.3 Put on schooling bandages for flatwork	Schooling bandages: Polo wraps (with or without padding)	Observation
	2.4 Fit tack and boots for jumping	Tack and boots to include: Bridle Saddle Breastplate and martingale Boots suitable for jumping	Observation
	2.5 Evaluate the fit of the jumping tack	Fit to include: Check for comfort Condition and suitability of tack Action of bit and noseband	Observation and Discussion
	2.6 Explain a range of factors affecting saddle fit	Range = 3 or more Width of tree Wither clearance Pressure points on the spine Evenness of weight	Discussion
3. Be able to use studs	3.1 Demonstrate how to put a stud into a shoe	Demonstration to include: Holding the foot Cleaning and maintaining the stud hole Selection of stud type Using the stud tap Putting the stud in Plugging stud hole	Observation and discussion
4. Understand the use of bits	4.1 Explain the use of a range of bits	Range = 2 or more Bits to include: Snaffle Pelham Gag Bitless bridles	Observation and discussion
5. Understand the nutritional requirements of a horse	5.1 Explain the role of nutrients in a horse’s diet	Nutrients to include: Carbohydrates Proteins Fats Vitamins Minerals Water	Discussion
	5.2 Explain a range of forages available for feeding horses	Range = 4 or more Forages to include: Grass Hay Haylage Dried grass Chaff/chop Alfalfa Straw	Discussion
	5.3 Explain a range of factors that may influence a horse’s dietary requirements	Range = 3 or more Factors to include: Time of year Age Size Type Work levels: light, medium, hard Condition of the horse Availability of turnout Health	Discussion
	5.4 Explain how to manage feeding routines	Management to include: Timings Relation to work Amount of feed Variance of feed Availability of forage Time of year	Discussion
	5.5 Explain how to prepare food for horses with common health problems	Health problems to include: Respiratory issues Dietary issues Dental problems Preparation: Soaking Steaming	Discussion
	5.6 Assess a horse using a body condition/fat scoring scale	Body condition/fat scoring on a 0-5 point scale, to include: General body condition Quarters Ribs Shoulders Back Neck Withers	Observation and Discussion
	5.7 Explain the use of supplements or balancers in a horse’s diet	May include: Vitamin and mineral deficiency 100% roughage diet	Discussion
6. Understand how to improve a horse’s fitness	6.1 Explain the purpose of a fitness programme for a horse	Purpose may include: Preparing the horse for a specific activity Improving a horse’s fitness Maintaining fitness Lower risk of injury Rehabilitation	Discussion
	6.2 Explain the process used to improve a horse’s fitness	Process: From a low level of fitness to complete a one-day event Three stages of programme: long slow distance work, strength work, fast work Length of time	Discussion
	6.3 Explain a range of factors that may influence a horse’s fitness programme	Range = 2 or more Factors may include: Body conformation Weight Previous injury Work levels Equipment, environment, and external factors Type and temperament Age	Discussion
	6.4 Explain how to assess a horse’s fitness	Assessment may include: Visual signs (e.g., excessive sweating, fatigue) Behaviour Recovery rate	Discussion
	6.5 Explain how to care for a horse after strenuous work	Care to include: Walking the horse Dismounting the rider Adjusting and removing equipment Rehydrating the horse Washing down and checking for injury Regaining normal body temperature Feeding the horse Monitoring recovery Leg care	Discussion
	6.6 Explain the purpose of using a horse walker	Purpose to include: Non ridden exercise Time out of stable Rehabilitation Fitness programme	Discussion
7. Understand horse anatomy and physiology	7.1 Explain the function and components of the respiratory system	Function to include: Gaseous exchange – uptake of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide Components, role to include: Nostrils Nasal passage Trachea Lungs Diaphragm	Discussion
	7.2 Explain the function and components of the cardiovascular system	Function: Circulating blood (transporting oxygen and nutrients) around the body and removing waste Lymphatic system Components, role to include: Heart Arteries Veins Blood	Discussion
	7.3 Describe the anatomy of the lower leg and foot	Anatomy to include: Bones: pedal, navicular, splint, cannon, sesamoid, pasterns Ligaments: check, suspensory, annular Tendons: flexor and extensor tendons	Discussion and Observation
8. Be able to manage the health of a horse	8.1 Demonstrate how to measure a horse’s vital signs	Vital signs: Temperature Pulse Respiration	Observation
	8.2 Explain the importance of maintaining health records	Health records to include: Veterinary history Vital signs Routine care: worming, teeth, vaccinations, saddle checks Passport	Discussion
	8.3 Explain the roles of a range of health care professionals	Range = 2 or more Health care professionals may include: Physiotherapist Chiropractor Osteopath Acupuncture practitioner Equine Dental Technicians	Discussion
	8.4 Describe the signs and symptoms of a range of common health conditions	Range = 3 or more Health conditions may include: Exertional Rhabdomyolysis Syndrome (ERS) / Azoturia Bursal and bony enlargements or conditions Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)/ Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO)/ equine asthma Colic Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) Equine influenza Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) Equine Seasonal Myopathy Laminitis Lymphangitis PPID/ Cushings Ringworm Strangles Tendon injury Worm burden	Discussion
	8.5 Explain the management and treatment of common health conditions	Management may include: Minimise work levels Adjust feed Prevention Routine healthcare Treatment may include: Referral to vet Medication (prescribed by vet) Stable care (box rest)	Discussion
	8.6 Explain how to prevent the spread of disease in the equine environment	Prevention, to include: Biosecurity Cleanliness of horses, people, and stable yards Dealing with new horses Isolation procedures Promoting horse health care	Discussion
	8.7 Explain how to assess lameness	Assessment to include: Observe the horse at rest, in walk, and trot Inspection of limbs Report if appropriate	Discussion
	8.8 Explain the principle of Quality of Life	Quality of life to include: Indicators to assess Quality of Life Options for humane euthanasia Support services for euthanasia decisions	Discussion
9. Understand undesirable horse behaviour	9.1 Describe the signs and causes of stereotypical behaviour in horses	Causes may include: Long stabling periods Restricted movement Separation from other horses Hunger, pain, fear, poor training Signs may include: Box walking Crib biting Wind sucking Weaving Aggression	Discussion
	9.2 Explain how to manage stereotypical behaviour in horses	Management may include: Enrichment Turnout and access to space Handling and routine Work and feeding regimes	Discussion
	9.3 Explain how to manage horses that are difficult to handle	Management may include: Positive reinforcement Safe approaches and restraint Managing routine care and safety equipment	Discussion
10. Understand how to manage a turnout area	10.1 Explain how to manage a turnout area for a horse	Management may include: Resources like tractor, harrow, mower Stocking density Droppings and weed removal Fertilising and rotational grazing Fencing and security	Discussion
11. Be able to assess a horse’s conformation	11.1 Evaluate the conformation of a horse	Evaluation to include: Static and dynamic conformation, foot balance Condition, type, and suitability for work	Observation and discussion
11. Be able to assess a horse’s conformation	11.2 Explain the use of a range of shoes	Range = 2 or more Shoes may include: Fullered Plain stamp Natural balance Bar – egg, heart, rolled toe Racing plate Glue-on shoes Pads	Discussion