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.
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:
OR
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.
The course will cover:
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.
You will be required to supply your own:
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.
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:
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:
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.
Schoolgirl Emily Field had no idea her hobby could turn into a career until she went to a Derby College Open Evening.
Hailing from a family which is "not horsey at all ", Emily now has a string of equine qualifications at the age of just 22.
Emily was unsure what she wanted to do after her GCSEs. But as a keen rider – although she did not have her own horse at the time – the equine courses stood out.
Enthused by the open evening, she decided to pursue the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management, although she admits she was nervous.
She worried that she might be left behind because she was not from a "horsey" background and didn't own her own horse.
Instead, she thrived, and found the environment friendly and helpful.
Emily described the course as "very practical", which suited her style of learning, with most days spent on the yard. It also included more scientific areas such as equine feeding, digestion and sickness.
Emily completed her Diploma in 2013, with Passes and Merits and also took her industry qualifications BHS levels 1 and 2.
Overall, she said she "pretty much learned everything I needed to know" to put into practice as a groom when she left college.
Emily has now worked at two horse yards and is enjoying her latest job at a stud yard in Nottinghamshire. She has also gained her BHS levels 3 and 4 as well as a teaching qualification.
The Diploma was just so helpful. When I was leaving school I didn't even know you could get involved with horses as a full-time career and a proper job. It gave me a base to move upwards, I don't think I'd be able to be where I am now without it. I've been at the stud yard since September and it's entirely different to anything I've before, but I really enjoy it. I think my boss is happy with what I'm doing and I'm happy here.