Technical Extended Diploma in Equine Management – Level 3

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. You will also have the chance to progress through BHS Stages 1 and 2, including the new BHS Ride Safe exam.

In addition, you will 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:

• 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.

For the riding pathway, the minimum riding requirement is being able to walk, trot and canter confidently and in balance.  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 and applicants must provide their own PPE to current safety standards.

To progress to Year 2 of this course, you will be required to obtain a Merit grade or above during the first year.

All applicants will be interviewed.

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

This course will be delivered on-site.

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.

You will sit a series of technical exams and assessments in the spring. 

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 Show Jumping 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.

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk