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Technical Extended Diploma in Equine Management - Level 3Apply Now »
Location: Broomfield Hall
Years: 2
Adult 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 (Level 2 QCF)
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
- Undertaking and reviewing work-related experience in the land-based industry
- Undertaking stable and yard operations
- Equine health
- Horse tack and equipment
- Biological systems of horses
- Preparing horses for presentation
- Equine feeding and nutrition
- Horse behaviour and welfare
- Working and training horses from the ground
- The principles of equitation
- Contributing 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
- Competition grooming
- Yard duties
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 Group 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 Group 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 venture 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, a:
- 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 grooming 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 Group offers a range of horse-related weekend and evening courses – please see the Derby College Group 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 Group Part-time Prospectus for a full list and details.
Did you find the course information on this page useful?
Emily Field
Open day unveils equine career for Emily
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.
