British Horse Society Stage 1 Care
An online, self-study training programme that will help you prepare for your BHS Stage 1 Care Assessment and get to grips with the basics of owning and managing horses.
Who is this programme for?
Maybe you’re new to horse ownership and have a lot to learn, but you don’t know where to start.
Or you’d love to buy your first horse but worry that you don’t know enough yet.
Perhaps you lack confidence in your knowledge and want to work with someone you can trust. Here, you can find advice and guidance on best practices for caring for your horse.
You might want to progress through the BHS qualifications, but you’re struggling to find accessible, high-quality training to help you prepare and learn everything you need to pass the BHS Stage 1 exam.
You might also be studying an equine or animal management course at college, and you want to make sure you have everything you need to pass your British Horse Society Stage 1 Assessment.
It’s so easy to get confused by conflicting advice from yard buddies and social media, and you worry about every decision and doing the best for your horse; you don’t want to let him/her down!
But I do know that you’re keen to develop a better understanding of how to care for and manage horses.
I can help you.
My name is Alison Buttery and I’m an experienced BHS Accredited Professional Coach, qualified to BHS IT and ISM (Stage 4), and I’ve spent over 11 years as a Senior Lecturer in Equine Science, working with many people to train towards equestrian qualifications, from foundation through to degree levels, alongside British Horse Society exams.
As you progress through this Stage One Horse Care online programme, you will…
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Know exactly what’s involved in caring for your first horse
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Feel empowered to make educated decisions about what to feed your horse, what bedding, rugs, tack and equipment to use and when
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You’ll feel confident in what checks you should do to make sure your horse is healthy & happy and build a better relationship with your horse
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Be able to assess the condition of your horse’s feet & shoes so that you can help reduce the risk of problems and lameness
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Understand how to care properly for both stabled and grass-kept horses, while maintaining the highest standards of horse welfare
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Experience the satisfaction, pride & enjoyment in completing the course so that you’re excited to progress and learn more
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Have the confidence to progress through the BHS qualifications if you choose
Yes, you could spend lots of time researching and learning everything you need to know via Google, social media or YouTube, and reading all the books, but when you can access everything you need to know in one place and train with an industry professional, you can have complete confidence that what you are learning is actually right!
How is this programme different to other online courses?
- Access to a trustworthy and knowledgeable trainer – I’m a highly qualified and experienced Stage 4 BHS Accredited Professional Coach, who has spent over 11 years as a Senior Lecturer in Equine Science
- Step-by-step training to help you develop your knowledge & understanding so that you are never over faced
- Crystal clear, to-the-point training – no waffle, no fluff, maximum learning!
I’ve worked in the equestrian industry for 30 years (crikey, that’s a shock when I look at that written down!), and I’ve helped hundreds of students through training for their BHS exams.
I know that if you follow this programme and commit to taking action and developing your depth of knowledge, you can build your confidence in managing the horses in your care.
You get access to online lessons and revision activities, to help you prepare for the British Horse Society Stage 1 Assessment. The content focuses entirely on Stage 1 Care unit Please note that this does not include the Riding unit.
The online modules are broken down into clear and concise lessons, where you can track your progress and quickly revisit topics whenever you like. PLUS, you’ll get full access to all resources for all modules so that you can progress through them at your own pace and revisit them as many times as you like.
The course follows the British Horse Society Stage 1 syllabus for Horse Care, and we will cover everything you need to prepare for this exam (if that’s your goal!).
By completing this course, you will know the basics of caring for and managing horses.
By the end of this programme, you will:
Understand natural and instinctive horse behaviour and correct, safe handling techniques
Be able to identify horses, colours, markings and know about horse heights
Know how to muck out correctly, understand the features of different types of bedding and how to care for the stabled horse
Understand different types of grooming techniques, know how to groom horses correctly and safely, and identify different types of grooming equipment
Be able to describe how to care for a grass-kept horse, incl. field checks, poisonous plants and safety
Know the rules of feeding & watering horses, be able to identify different types of feed and how to calculate a basic feed ration
Be able to identify key parts of the saddle and snaffle bridle, check for correct fit, tacking up and untacking processes, and how to clean tack effectively, fitting and using brushing boots
Be able to identify and review different types of rugs, and discuss their uses and correct fitting
Be able to describe the basic structure of the horse’s foot and the importance of good hoof care
Be able to identify signs of good and poor health in the horse, understand routine health checks, and know the legal responsibilities of the horse owner
By completing this course, you will know the basics of caring for and managing horses, so that you can be confident that you are doing everything you can right now, to keep your horse happy and healthy.
All training sessions are pre-recorded, following a previous live delivery of the programme. You will benefit from the questions from people who took part in the training, and learn from the guidance given.
“I joined the course in order to refresh my skills in knowledge in preparation for buying my own horse. I now feel confident that I can provide the care that my horse needs. I also have a valuable resource bank of materials of workbooks and videos I can refer back to at any time. Thank you Alison for delivering an informative and enjoyable course.”
Laura, S.
“After being apprehensive about taking part in this course I have found it very enjoyable and extremely informative. I had a very basic knowledge before but feel I have learnt so much. Even something like tying a quick release knot! I commend Alison who has explained every part of the course so clearly and long with showing videos and photographs to help better understanding.”
Joyce, W.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the programme take to complete?
It’s entirely up to you! When you join, you’ll get full access to everything! All resources and modules are available in your account immediately. You can progress through them in order, or you might prefer to dip in and out to work alongside your existing practical training. You have complete control over how you learn and access the materials.
Do I need any prior knowledge or experience to start this programme?
It’s helpful if you have some basic knowledge of horse care, however anyone who is interested in learning how best to care for their horse is absolutely welcome to join this programme. There are no minimum entry requirements for this course.
What materials will I need?
You’ll need a stable internet connection to access the course content. A notebook is also useful for taking notes and completing some of the activities.
Where can I get practical training and experience?
You should always gain practical experience with horses. This could be at a local yard or equestrian centre.
If you are working towards the BHS Stage 1 exam, you should always undertake practical, hands-on training at a BHS Approved Centre before the exam.
Is there a practice test included in the programme?
Revision questions and activities are included throughout each module to help you learn and apply your understanding in the real world.
What if I have questions during the course?
If you have questions during the programme, email info@theeverydayequestrian for support. Responses are typically provided within 48 hours.
How do I access the course?
When you join, you’ll create an account on the website – www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk – using your email address and the password that you create. To access the course materials, all you need to do is log in via the website, using these details, and you’ll go straight to the course. The course is fully responsive, meaning you can study on any device, including your mobile phone, tablet, or desktop computer.
How is this programme different from others?
With this course, you get access to a trustworthy, experienced and knowledgeable trainer – I’m a highly qualified and experienced Stage 4 BHS Accredited Professional Coach who has spent over 11 years as a Senior Lecturer in Equine Science. I’ve trained hundreds of students for their BHS exams!
You’ll get step-by-step training to help you develop your knowledge & understanding so that you are never over faced.
You’ll also get crystal clear, to-the-point training – no waffle, no fluff, and maximum learning, so you can learn, revise and remember the key points.
I don’t live in the UK, will this programme help me?
Yes, absolutely! The principles of good horse management and care can (and should!) be applied anywhere.
Does this programme also include training towards the riding section of the BHS qualifications?
No riding training is included in this programme.
Do I have to be a member of the British Horse Society to do this programme?
No! This training is open to anyone of any age (although it’s probably most appropriate for children aged 14 or above).
Please note that you WILL need to be a member of the BHS to take your Stage 1 exam.
Do I have to take the BHS Stage 1 Horse Care exam?
No, absolutely not! This programme is to help you get a clear understanding of the basics of caring for and managing horses, and it’s entirely up to you whether you decide to take the exam or not, there’s no pressure at all.
Does this programme include the exam?
No, the BHS Stage 1 Horse Care exam/qualification is not part of this programme, but we will cover all the theory topics that you need to know, to prepare and train to take the exam.
Do I have to own a horse to take part in this programme?
Not at all! This programme is open to everyone, whether you ride regularly at a riding school, help with a friend’s horse, whether you’re a student at college, returning to horse ownership after a break, or thinking about buying your first horse.
What if I change my mind?
If for any reason you think the programme is not for you, then I offer a 7-day money-back guarantee, effective from the date you sign up.
I’m not sure whether this programme is for me right now. What should I do?
Simply email me at info@theeverydayequestrian.co.uk with your questions or concerns, and I’ll be delighted to help you decide whether it is for you. It’s really important to me that the right people join and take part in this programme, so please do get in touch. There won’t be any pressure to join or awkward sales pitch, and you’ll get a feel for whether you’d like to work with me or not.
BHS Stage 1 Care Preparation Course
- Follows the BHS Stage 1 Care syllabus
- Online, self-study training
- 10 modules, broken down into step-by-step lessons
- Learn all the theory topics to help you prepare for your exam
- Full access to all resources as soon as you sign up
- Lifetime access, so you can progress at your own pace
- 7-day, full money back guarantee