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Technical Extended Diploma in Equine Management - Level 3Apply Now »
Location: Broomfield Hall
Years: 2
24+ Loan Amount: 11356.00****
Interview: Y
Course Summary
This course provides in-depth knowledge, skills and work experience to help you gain employment within the equine industry or to progress to the next level in your career. You will be taught theory and practice in a range of topics relating to the industry. On the course, you will have the chance to progress through BHS Stages 1 and 2, including the new BHS Ride Safe exam.
You will also participate in a range of enrichment activities, including training, clinics, workshops and trips.
We offer two pathways on this course: a riding option and a non-riding option, where the riding is replaced by other equine-related practical units.
Entry requirements
You need to be highly motivated and demonstrate a keen interest in the equine industry. Offers of a place on the course are dependent on your qualifications. You will need:
- A minimum of four GCSEs at grade C/4, which should include English, Science and Maths, with some relevant horse experience.
OR
- An Intermediate Diploma in the chosen subject to a Merit or Distinction grade and a recommendation from your tutor based on 95% attendance, good behaviour and strong work ethic.
Other equivalent competence and attainment will be taken into account and your individual circumstances can be discussed at interview or at our information evenings.
All applicants will be interviewed. You may be asked to undertake an initial assessment in English and Maths and must present an example of current work.
For the riding pathway, the minimum riding requirement is being able to walk, trot and canter confidently and in balance and to be able to jump a small course of fences. Riders will be assessed at the start of the course and those not achieving this standard will be offered the non-riding option.
To ensure the welfare of our horses, we operate a personal weight restriction of no more than 13 stone.
To progress to Year 2 of this course, you will be required to obtain a Merit grade or above during the first year.
Course Content
The course will cover:
- Principles of health and safety
- Undertake and review work-related experience in the land-based industry
- Undertake stable and yard operations
- Equine health
- Horse tack and equipment
- Biological systems of horses
- Prepare horses for presentation
- Equine feeding and nutrition
- Horse behaviour and welfare
- Working and training horses from the ground
- The principles of equitation
- Contribute to managing an equine event
- The principles of horse fitness
- Business management in the land-based sector
- Exercising horses
- Riding horses on the flat
- Riding horses over fences
- Introduction to equestrian coaching
- The principles of horse rehabilitation and therapy
How will I be assessed?
This course is continually assessed using a range of methods including assignments, written reports, case studies, exams, practicals, professional discussions, demonstrations and presentations.
You will be required to adhere to strict deadlines and show good organisational skills.
Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?
You will be required to supply your own:
- Correctly fitted and up to current safety standards riding hat and body protector
- Full length riding boots or jodhpur boots and chaps (no rubber riding boots)
- Safety standard footwear for yard work and practicals
- Derby College uniform
- Entrance fees to various establishments
- BHS fees for membership and payment towards exams if you are taking the riding option
- Writing materials
You will have the option to take part in additional qualifications with Derby College at your own expense, such as trips, training, first aid, safeguarding and online courses.
Long hair is to be tied back and no nail varnish, jewellery, false eyelashes or false nails should be worn.
What can I do after this course?
You will be able to enter the industry by working on a yard, within a stud, or perhaps in a business such as a country store, feed merchant, tack shop or in another company/business allied to the equine industry such as a welfare organisation or membership body. As you will have gained a breadth and depth of skills and knowledge over a very wide range of units, you could progress within work to become, among other roles:
- Clinical Assistant
- Welfare Officer
- Event Co-ordinator/Supervisor
- Administrator of equestrian-related businesses (junior management/trainee)
- Coach/Instructor
- Employee within British Dressage, British Showjumping or British Eventing
- International Travelling Groom
- Apprentice Saddler
- Trainee Course Builder
- Stud Supervisor
- Work Rider
You may also wish to become self-employed and undertake roles such as freelance groom or breaking and training young horses.
With many transferable skills embedded throughout the course, it is possible to switch vocation easily.
Additionally, you can progress to equine or non-equine related higher education, such as the:
- Foundation Degree in Equine Science, Management and Training
- BSc (Hons) Equine Science, Management and Training
Derby College offers a range of horse-related weekend and evening courses – please see the Derby College Equestrian Centre website www.derby-college.co.uk/equestrian-centre.
We also offer courses in a wide range of other land-based topics - please see the Derby College Part-time Prospectus for a full list and details.
Did you find the course information on this page useful?
Jo Wilkinson
Career swap Jo finds new niche in equine lecturing
Former hotel manager Jo Wilkinson joined the hospitality sector after school and worked her way up to manager level. But by the age of 20, she realised that she hated the job, so she decided to look for something new.
Since childhood, Jo had enjoyed working with, and being around horses. An internet search found Derby College's Level 3 National Diploma in Horse Management. Still unsure of her future, Jo decided to enrol.
Now, seven years after leaving the hotel, and a string of qualifications later, she is enjoying life as a lecturer...teaching a new generation of students at Broomfield Hall.
She so impressed College staff with her studies and commitment that she has now found a new niche working with students.
Jo was the first Distinction* student on the course. She began working at Broomfield as a weekend "yardie," did further work in the week and then became a supervisor.
She said the Diploma exceeded her expectations, with the college also providing her with BHS industry qualifications. She was encouraged to gain further BHS qualifications, including her Level 3 in Teaching and Education, which enables her to work in the classroom.
Now Jo particularly enjoys practical work with her students with the horses in the yard, as well as researching new areas for the classroom.
The small team means that "everybody knows everybody" and students get all the support they need.
You're not just a number here. And seeing the place develop from when I was a student to how it was now – over seven years –we've got so many more facilities.
It's a nice environment. Students are pushed to achieve more than a minimum qualification. They get proper training and all the staff are highly qualified.
