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Schools 14-16 - City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Horse Care (Equine Studies)Apply Now »
Location: Broomfield Hall
Years: 2
Weeks: 38
Hours: 5.00
Start: 16/09/2021
Days / Times: Thursday 09:30 to 16:30
Tuition (£): 0.00*
Full Concession: (0 Tuition/Exam Fee) available dependant on eligibility – A Full Concession is not applicable to a full-cost course
Interview: Y
Course Summary
This course is for school students, where the school has agreed to fund the placement.
The City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Horse Care (500/8771/X) has been developed to provide an engaging introduction to the equine industry, a valuable sector which contributes around £8 billion a year to the economy.
Students will have the opportunity to learn the technical knowledge and skills sought after by the industry at our Equestrian Centre which is equipped with a purpose-built indoor arena, an all-weather outdoor school, a cross-country schooling field and off-road riding tracks around the beautiful Broomfield estate.
This course is delivered over two years, starting in Year 10, and students will study at Broomfield Hall one day a week.
There are two available pathways within this qualification: a riding pathway and a lunging pathway. For students wishing to undertake the riding pathway, we operate a personal weight restriction of no more than 13 stone (82.5kg) to ensure the welfare of our horses. Students must also be able to walk, trot and canter independent of the rein – this will be assessed at the start of the term to ensure the riding pathway is suitable.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements, you just need a strong interest in caring for horses and adequate experience of working with or riding horses.
You will be assessed during the first term at College to ensure this is the most suitable course for you, with fall-back options available.
Course Content
You will need to complete four mandatory units:
- Undertake work-related experience in the land-based industries
- Carry out and understand the principles of feeding and watering horses
- Undertake routine stable duties
- Undertake horse handling
You will also need to complete three optional units plus the units relevant to the pathway you are undertaking:
- Fit and maintain horse tack and clothing
- Undertake horse grooming, trimming and plaiting
- Understand the principles of horse biology
- Introduction to riding horses on the flat (riding pathway)
- Riding horses over fences (riding pathway)
- Introduction to lunging horses (lunging pathway)
How will I be assessed?
The course is assessed using a range of methods both practical and theoretical: verbal discussions, demonstrations, written reports and presentations. You will be required to build a portfolio of evidence of your practical skills, knowledge and understanding.
Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?
Students must supply their own equipment and Derby College Group uniform (this will be discussed at interview). You will also be required to supply your own writing materials and folders to store work in.
What can I do after this course?
Further Study
Upon completion of the qualification, and depending on the grades achieved and other qualifications achieved, students may wish to progress to:
- The Level 3 Diploma in Equine Management
- An apprenticeship programme at Level 2 or 3
- A-levels
You will be able to access advice and guidance while studying at the College to learn more about the post-16 opportunities available for you.
Careers
Further study can lead to a variety of careers, including:
- Coach/Instructor
- Stud Supervisor
- Work Rider
- Welfare Officer
- Clinical Assistant
For more information, email the 14-16 team at 14-16@derby-college.ac.uk
Did you find the course information on this page useful?
* Tuition - This figure is the fee to be paid if you are not entitled to any concessions.
*** Co-Tuition - This figure is the fee to be paid if you are entitled to any partial concessions.
Gabrielle Madders
Dissertation in equine assisted learning achieves publication
Research by a talented Derby College Higher Education student could influence the way equine assisted learning is used to benefit adolescents with complex educational needs.
Part of Gabrielle Madders’ dissertation found that usually non-verbal individuals began to communicate with their peers through their interactions with horses.
The study was so academically valuable that it has appeared in the highly respected Advanced Journal of Undergraduate Research.
Gabrielle, 24, came to DCG to study for her Equine Science Management and Training degree top up year, with a view to becoming a lecturer. She examined whether young people aged 16-23, with a range of conditions on the autistic spectrum, engaged better following interactive sessions, which saw horses being used as a learning intervention tool.
While Gabrielle found no significant overall improvement, she did find that specific activities such as leading exercises and physical contact with the horses did have a positive impact. It's hoped that these findings will pave the way for future research on the topic.
Lecturer Ruth Orrell-Stokes, a former DCG student herself, recognised the value of the study and supported Gabrielle in getting it published.
Gabrielle, who grew up on a farm and has always, loved horses, said: “Achieving a first is something I am extremely proud of. I never thought at the start of the year that this academic success was possible, but through my time at Derby College I really learnt to have confidence in my ability, which I believe has allowed me to excel. I will be forever grateful for all the time they gave me, which has allowed me to take my next steps towards my career with confidence and drive”.
Currently enjoying her job as a welfare helpline co-ordinator with the British Horse Society, Gabrielle intends to take a Masters next year and still plans to become a lecturer at some stage.
My lecturers were always supportive and they really pushed me to be the best that I could be.
