BHS - BRITISH EQUESTRIAN TOURISM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Entry Requirements

Age 17 years or over. Certificates will be awarded on successful examination plus production of Current Health & Safety First Aid at Work Certificate or Equine Specific First Aid Certificate or appropriate national equivalent, and BHS Riding & Road Safety Certificate. Candidates must be capable of demonstrating the correct procedure and best practice involving a group of riders on the road.

2. Description

Designed for those working full or part time in the industry. The holder of this certificate is competent to take out a ride, a short trek or a hack of no more than two hours duration (provided that staff to client ratio does not exceed 1 to 6) or to assist a Ride Leader on longer rides. An assistant should be a sensible, safe person who is able to communicate with and help first time riders as well as assisting in the basic day to day running of a tourism/trekking/riding holiday centre.

THE ART OF HORSEMANSHIP

Demonstrate the following:-
How to mount and dismount correctly.
How to adjust stirrups and girth when mounted.
How to maintain a good, balanced position when riding at walk, trot and canter.
How to turn, circle, halt and stand still properly.
How to jump small natural obstacles up to 2' 6".
How to ride up and down hills correctly.
How to open and shut gates.
How to ride with a lead horse.
How to ride correctly on the road.
How to dress safely for riding.
The ability to take out a ride.

ASSIST WITH BASIC INSTRUCTION AND
DEMONSTRATION

Be able to demonstrate the following clearly and effectively -
How to hold a horse for mounting/dismounting.
How to give a leg up.
How to mount and dismount correctly.
How to hold the reins correctly.
How to lengthen and shorten reins.
How to move the horse on, turn, increase speed, decrease speed, and stop.
How to lead a horse and rider when mounted.
How to hold and lead ponies.
Explain the reasons for and recognise safe clothing for the first-time riders.

CARE OF HORSE AND RIDER - ESPECIALLY ON DAY-LONG RIDES

Understand how to set up rides in accordance with the experience and competence of the riders.Know the importance of noting useful occupations of riders (e.g. doctors/nurses) at the outset, in case of emergencies.
Be able to ride the line and converse with riders.
Be able to set up a lunch-time break in a suitable place and organise toilet arrangements for both sexes.
Know when saddles should be removed at a stop, and when not, and how they should be placed on the ground when appropriate.
Understand how horses should be tied up, and to what.
Know how to hobble horses if necessary.
Understand how to deal with "difficult" riders.
Know the country code and the routes used from the centre.
Be able to deal with broken tack and lame animals.
Be competent to assist the Ride Leader to keep discipline in a diplomatic way.
Be able to help the Ride Leader to maintain a happy atmosphere especially when returning from a trek.

SAFETY

Know the highway code, and BHS Riding and Road Safety Test or S/NVQ unit on Riding on the Road.
Be competent to deal with accidents in a calm manner, and be aware of the proper accident procedures.
Understanding of all safety procedures in the centre, and during a trek, and the ability to implement where necessary, including how to keep Accident and incident books.

HORSE HEALTH

Recognise the main signs of normal health and behaviour,
Be able to comment on the general conditions of the horse,
Know why early reporting of abnormal signs is important,
Know the points of the horse,
Knowledge of the various breeds and types.

BASIC HANDLING

How to approach, catch and turn out.
How to tie up the horse correctly, using a quick release knot.
How to handle in the stable and teach good stable manners.
How to trot up for inspection and soundness.
How to hold for treatment or clipping.

SHOEING AND CARE OF THE HORSE

Understand care of the feet - shod and unshod,
Recognise when a horse needs re-shoeing,
Have a basic knowledge of the farriers tools, and how to remove a shoe.

GROOMING

Understand the reasons for grooming .
Know the difference between grooming a stabled horse, and one at grass.
Be able to demonstrate how to groom properly.
Know about grooming equipment and its uses.
Demonstrate how to wash a horse.
Demonstrate how to care for a hot, sweaty horse.
Demonstrate how to deal with a wet horse.

WATERING AND FEEDING

Know the principles of watering and feeding.
Understand the importance of cleanliness.
Identify good and bad hay, and different types.
Know how to soak and feed hay.
Know and identify most common feed stuffs.
Know how to make a bran mash and when to feed.
Fill and tie up a hay net suitable for different horses/ponies.

HORSE CLOTHING

Demonstrate how to apply stable and tail bandages.
Demonstrate how to rug up using various types of rug.

GRASS MANAGEMENT/OUTWINTERING

Know basic grazing and fencing requirements.
Identify poisonous plants and other hazards.
Demonstrate how to catch and turn out horses at grass.
Understand winter conditions and how to care for out wintered horses and ponies.
Demonstrate the use of New Zealand rugs.

STABLE ROUTINE

Understand safety rules/accident procedures/fire precautions.
Knowledge of the different types of bedding and the management of each as appropriate to the centre.
Demonstrate how to muck out and skip out.
Understand the use of tools for above.
Know how to maintain a muck heap.

TACK FITTING AND CARE

Know parts of the bridle and saddle, and all types suitable for hacking and trekking.
Know how to clean tack.
Understand the correct fitting of bridles and saddles.
Knowledge of the organisation of a tack room.

1.Entry requirements.
Candidates must be 18 years of age or over, have a current Health & Safety First Aid at Work Certificate or appropriate national equivalent, and hold a British Equestrian Tourism, or TRSS Assistant Ride Leader Certificate.

DIRECT ENTRY - All candidates must hold First Aid at Work Certificate or appropriate national equivalent, and must have worked at an approved centre for a minimum of two seasons (All such applications should be accompanied by a written statement from their present or a past employer stating that they have experience in ALL skills on the syllabus INCLUDING assisting a qualified Ride Leader on treks or hacks) or hold a BHSAI, Pony Club ‘A’ Test, ICES.
or
be over 21 years of age and have, under supervision, managed a centre for a minimum of 1 year, hold a current Health & Safety First Aid at Work certificate or appropriate national equivalent.

2. Description
A ride leader is someone who is able to take sole charge of first time riders or more experienced riders. He or she must have a sound knowledge and awareness of safety, of looking after groups of horses and clients in the yard and out on a ride. He or she should be capable of taking charge of a centre in the owner’s absence for a temporary period not exceeding one month.

Further to assistant, the ride leader’s manner should be such to encourage first time riders to enjoy riding and handling horses/ponies.

He or she should also -

Have a good relationship -with local landowners, access, etc.

Have a sound knowledge of local interest and countryside so that he or she is able to discuss the same with clients/tourists.

Organise assistant ride leaders and other yard workers, according to instructions Help train assistant ride leaders for Assistant on a ride Certificate.

Show courtesy to other countryside users/tourists.

Organise rides and day treks including the allocation of rider to horse.

Display tact and understanding in dealing withcomplaints.

Have a working knowledge of legislation regulating use of land over which a trail passes (byways, bridleways, etc).

SAFETY

Awareness of weather conditions, and road traffic.
Knowledge of safety clothing, for horse and rider including hat fitting.
Knowledge of accident procedures.
Knowledge of safe procedures prior to a ride.
Knowledge of the fire precautions system of the centre, and what to do in the event of a fire.
Knowledge of map-reading.
Understanding of all safety procedures in the centre, and during a trek, and the ability to implement where necessary, including how to keep Accident and Incident books.

RIDING

Candidates will be expected to show a greater degree of competence in all aspects compared to Assistant Ride Leader. With particular reference to riding and improving young horse suitable for the leisure industry.

Here again the candidate will be expected to show a higher degree of competence than theAssistant Ride Leader in all the sections in that syllabus relating to the management of treks. In addition, they must display adequate knowledge of the managerial skills necessary to run the centre itself in a temporary absence of the owner/manager.

Ability to take bookings efficiently, whether by telephone. in person, or by letter.
Ability to match horse/pony to client.
Ability to deal with the situation of a sick/lame horse on a trek/ride.
Recognise and allocate according to weight, etc.
Show a sound knowledge of breeds suitable for different leisure riding activities.
Understanding simple book-keeping techniques.
The making out of simple VAT invoices and receipts, filing, and other administrative clerical work.
Ability to organise rides; brief the riders; instruct the Assistant Leader/s; deal with difficulties;
reassure nervous clients, and generally show decisiveness and control Understanding of feed regimes, times, special requirements and the keeping of feed charts Social skills in dealing with people, including other staff, clients, and visiting vets, doctors, inspectors, feed salesmen, families and youth groups.
Knowledge of record keeping, e.g. Accident and Incident book, vet, farrier, clients etc.
Knowledge of the needs of local landowners/access and local law.

HORSE HEALTH

A basic knowledge will be required of common ailments and how to treat them, including when to call the vet.

Demonstrate how to poultice; administer medicine; take temperature, pulse, respiration etc.
Understand when to isolate.
Demonstrate how to control bleeding.
Know when and how to worm.
Know how to look after a sick horse and when to call the vet.

SHOEING AND CARE OF FEET

Recognition of a lame horse and when to call the vet.

Know the basic structure of the feet.
Know the various types of shoe and their uses.
Know how to remove a loose or dangerous shoe.
Understand corrective shoeing.

WATERING AND FEEDING

Know how to maintain condition and fitness.
Plan diets based on basic principles of horse nutrition.
Recognise feed stuffs in good condition.

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Have a basic knowledge of grassland management.
Identify a wider range of harmful plants.
Care of grassland to include weed control and pasture maintenance.
Know how to rough off and bring up to fitness for a purpose, from grass.
Care of horses/ponies during off-season.

TACK FITTING AND CARE

Demonstrate how to fit any relevant specialist tack, e.g. Western.
Show a sound knowledge of tack suitable for leisure horses/ponies.
Show a sound knowledge of breeds suitable for different leisure riding activities.

1.Entry requirements

Candidates must be over 22 years of age and hold a) Ride Leader Certificate or have operated a BHS, TRSS, WTRA or AIRE Centre for a minimum of 3 years and

b) Current Health and Safety First Aid at Work Certificate or appropriate national equivalent certificate.

2 . Description

Holiday Centre Manager is someone who is able to operate, as either Manager or owner, a riding holiday centre both from the practical as well as financial aspects. He or she is an expert to whom others, including tourist organisations etc. can turn to for advice.

Candidates will be required to:

Give a 10 minute lecture on a business topic.

Have a sound knowledge of the business management aspects of running a commercial establishment to include -

Types/breeds suitable for use and commercial value of the same.

Knowledge of current relevant legislation concerning the Riding Holiday Centre and licensing.

Working knowledge of legislation regulating use of land over which a trail passes (byways, bridleways, etc)

Tourist accommodation (and for students and staff).

Staff/Student contracts.

Insurance

VAT, PAYE etc.

Purchase of fodder, bedding, tack and any other related equipment.

Health and Safety requirements.

Improving income and diversification.

Stable construction and yard design.

Keeping accounts and realise importance of accounting.

Grassland management.

Centre layout including reception facilities.

Advertising for, interviewing and appointing staff.

Training own staff and visitors/clients.

Stable management, health monitoring.

Balancing horse hours/staff hours against income.

Environmental concerns.

Planning routes and liaison with landowners.

Liase with other activity centres e.g. Swimming pools, restaurants etc. on clients’ behalf.

Advertising, marketing, publicity and public relations.

Relevant European legislation.

Knowledge of safe use of machinery used in a centre.

Knowledge of the selection and examination of horses for purchase.