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personally if you want qualifications i would go into a yard who will train you but also pay you at the same time, you get more hands on experience then you would get at a college and in some respects having a boss who is reputable and can vouch for you ontop of exams will benefit you better in the long run then going to college for a couple years.
if you have the groundings in riding and horse care unless your going on to do a bachelors degree in something equine related I personally would again stick with a job that will pay for your training while you work.
i know quite a few people who have done courses, some benefited like the ones who knew very little or had little practical experience, I know others who knew more and had worked with horses more who found it boring and the biggest waste of 2 years imaginable.
also depending on your college they will focus on specific things more (while meeting the course criteria) you need to figure out really where you want to go after you gain your qualifications to pick a good school for you and the correct course for you.
also i personally do not think that a national diploma in horse management puts you high on the ring of anything (again have met girls who think they could open their own yard after taking this or could go straight into being a head girl and for most they failed note not all put a good chunk of them) unless you have got some teaching qualifications out of the way as well.. and if you do decide to go I would advise you to take every opportunity to get as many qualifications under you as you can in that time (not just your basic diploma plus bhs stages 1 and 2) .
just look at where you want to go with it and then work from there is your best shot.
if you have the groundings in riding and horse care unless your going on to do a bachelors degree in something equine related I personally would again stick with a job that will pay for your training while you work.
i know quite a few people who have done courses, some benefited like the ones who knew very little or had little practical experience, I know others who knew more and had worked with horses more who found it boring and the biggest waste of 2 years imaginable.
also depending on your college they will focus on specific things more (while meeting the course criteria) you need to figure out really where you want to go after you gain your qualifications to pick a good school for you and the correct course for you.
also i personally do not think that a national diploma in horse management puts you high on the ring of anything (again have met girls who think they could open their own yard after taking this or could go straight into being a head girl and for most they failed note not all put a good chunk of them) unless you have got some teaching qualifications out of the way as well.. and if you do decide to go I would advise you to take every opportunity to get as many qualifications under you as you can in that time (not just your basic diploma plus bhs stages 1 and 2) .
just look at where you want to go with it and then work from there is your best shot.
I did it and I left in 2005, i must say i loved every minute of it, BUT i didnt help me to get a job in the industry.
Most yards want BHS exams, these are the most recogised quals imo.
What im saying is:
The 3 years i spent at college gaining something the equivilant of A Levels, could have been spent on a yard (earning money too) gaining the quals and much more industry experence than college can give you.
If you want to do a course at Uni after college then i think its a more viable option
Out of interest, what college are you looking to go to?
Most yards want BHS exams, these are the most recogised quals imo.
What im saying is:
The 3 years i spent at college gaining something the equivilant of A Levels, could have been spent on a yard (earning money too) gaining the quals and much more industry experence than college can give you.
If you want to do a course at Uni after college then i think its a more viable option
Out of interest, what college are you looking to go to?
Yep I did it and loved it, mainly loved the livin social life lol.
But the course was good allot of it was stuff I already knew and going over it in more detail.
some areas such as grass land management I found very interesting and I still use today.
It has helped me in my equine Career and having my BHS Stages 1,2 and 3 has carried some weight especially when peopl have not know me.
I would say go for it.... all knowledge is good knowledge
But the course was good allot of it was stuff I already knew and going over it in more detail.
some areas such as grass land management I found very interesting and I still use today.
It has helped me in my equine Career and having my BHS Stages 1,2 and 3 has carried some weight especially when peopl have not know me.
I would say go for it.... all knowledge is good knowledge
I did it-and left within a month of it as I was based in the classroom for 4 hours a day & only got 1 hour a day's worth of lessons!
I did my BHS exams part time-much preferred it & was more practical based as well
I did my BHS exams part time-much preferred it & was more practical based as well
V
vimto92
Guest
Hi, thanks for the replies so far everyone.
.... I know it isn't one of the most recognised quals but I really could do with the experience which is why I think it will be beneficial, also the course provides you with BHS stages 1&2. Apparently at this college, it is 50% classroom based and 50% practical activity.
.... I know it isn't one of the most recognised quals but I really could do with the experience which is why I think it will be beneficial, also the course provides you with BHS stages 1&2. Apparently at this college, it is 50% classroom based and 50% practical activity.
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You will have to pay for your exam fees though.
My course was at Broomfield (highly recommended) its in the Eat Mids nr Derby with a brand new equestrian centre, indoor out door school, XC clinics SJ days residence accomadation which was great
My time table was roughly (full time)
Off Monday
Tues all day at yard
Weds/Thurs Classroom
Fri All day at yard
At yard rode twice a day, flat in morning jump in afternoon.
We also did teaching practice/lunging/long reining etc etc.
My course was at Broomfield (highly recommended) its in the Eat Mids nr Derby with a brand new equestrian centre, indoor out door school, XC clinics SJ days residence accomadation which was great
My time table was roughly (full time)
Off Monday
Tues all day at yard
Weds/Thurs Classroom
Fri All day at yard
At yard rode twice a day, flat in morning jump in afternoon.
We also did teaching practice/lunging/long reining etc etc.
V
vimto92
Guest
i did it at Easton college, Norfolk. I stayed less than a year. We did 2 hours a week riding then 2 hours a week on the yard including morning and evening yard duties. The rest was classroom based. I decided not to work with horses in the end but even if i had i'd of left the course.
I don't know many yard that will employ someone who has a quaification that basicly means you can write an essay about clipping (for example) but not actually do it!
I don't know many yard that will employ someone who has a quaification that basicly means you can write an essay about clipping (for example) but not actually do it!
The practical side must be run differently depending on the college, because ours doesn't work like jennywrens
I'm in my second year and I love it. Before I discuss it I will say I have no intention of working with horses, and I didn't really before I started the course. Sounds stupid but I was extremely unhappy doing AS levels and it was the best thing for me at the times. It has made me happy and that is the most important thing.
In both the first and second year the timetable is two full days (9-5) and two half days (9-12.30). There is 9 units to complete per year, and each unit has 4 assessments, which are a mix of written assignments, practicals (loading, clipping), ridden (jumping and flat assessments) and one unit is graded on working on the yard and weekend yard duties (three w/e days a term). We also have a bhs lesson once a week to prepare for bhs exams, but you do have to pay for them yourself still. I did my stage one last year and passed, it's much nicer doing it at college as you'll know all the horses and the college etc.
Every six weeks we have a 5 day week, 9-5 on the yard and no lessons other than riding. it is piiss easy though, we only usually have three horses to muck out/look after each.. when we're not on routines we still do practical stuff for most lessons. like in fitness at the moment we're doing interval training in groups of three on horses we've chosen. and in comp. grooming we were clipping the college horses in the winter. We get to do fun sciencey stuff too like disect horse's digestive system, cut up hearts... FUN! and we've gone on a few cool trips.
In the first year we rode twice a week, one flatwork lesson and one jumping lesson, and 1 lunge lesson. towards the end of the year we lunged each other (crazy! i remember getting lunged on an ex-racer with no reins or stirrups and flying off haha!)
In the second year we ride three times a week, the flat group have 2 flat work lessons (sometimes one is a hack) and one jump lesson a week. The jump lesson have 2 jump lessons (usually one xc and one sj) and one flat lesson a week. We had bloody great instruction last year, but it has really dropped this year. but that's just down to the college.
I will say there is a lot of written assignments to get through, and yes a lot do seem pointless and stupid and key skills is dire, but I think it's worth it, just because I've enjoyed myself so much, made the best friends everrr, and also bought my first horse because I've learnt a lot.
I'm going to do the hnd in september because I don't want to leave yet! then I will grow up and actually do something relevent to my chosen career! (whatever that may be..)
So yeah, sorry about the essay! Only downfall for me is the timetable changing for routines (9-5), because I work outside of college to afford to keep my pony and it's kind of about to lose me my job haha. but yeah I guess most people are able to work around it easily.
I'm in my second year and I love it. Before I discuss it I will say I have no intention of working with horses, and I didn't really before I started the course. Sounds stupid but I was extremely unhappy doing AS levels and it was the best thing for me at the times. It has made me happy and that is the most important thing.
In both the first and second year the timetable is two full days (9-5) and two half days (9-12.30). There is 9 units to complete per year, and each unit has 4 assessments, which are a mix of written assignments, practicals (loading, clipping), ridden (jumping and flat assessments) and one unit is graded on working on the yard and weekend yard duties (three w/e days a term). We also have a bhs lesson once a week to prepare for bhs exams, but you do have to pay for them yourself still. I did my stage one last year and passed, it's much nicer doing it at college as you'll know all the horses and the college etc.
Every six weeks we have a 5 day week, 9-5 on the yard and no lessons other than riding. it is piiss easy though, we only usually have three horses to muck out/look after each.. when we're not on routines we still do practical stuff for most lessons. like in fitness at the moment we're doing interval training in groups of three on horses we've chosen. and in comp. grooming we were clipping the college horses in the winter. We get to do fun sciencey stuff too like disect horse's digestive system, cut up hearts... FUN! and we've gone on a few cool trips.
In the first year we rode twice a week, one flatwork lesson and one jumping lesson, and 1 lunge lesson. towards the end of the year we lunged each other (crazy! i remember getting lunged on an ex-racer with no reins or stirrups and flying off haha!)
In the second year we ride three times a week, the flat group have 2 flat work lessons (sometimes one is a hack) and one jump lesson a week. The jump lesson have 2 jump lessons (usually one xc and one sj) and one flat lesson a week. We had bloody great instruction last year, but it has really dropped this year. but that's just down to the college.
I will say there is a lot of written assignments to get through, and yes a lot do seem pointless and stupid and key skills is dire, but I think it's worth it, just because I've enjoyed myself so much, made the best friends everrr, and also bought my first horse because I've learnt a lot.
I'm going to do the hnd in september because I don't want to leave yet! then I will grow up and actually do something relevent to my chosen career! (whatever that may be..)
So yeah, sorry about the essay! Only downfall for me is the timetable changing for routines (9-5), because I work outside of college to afford to keep my pony and it's kind of about to lose me my job haha. but yeah I guess most people are able to work around it easily.
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This is my timetable this year:
Monday: OFF
Tuesday: 9am - flatwork riding lesson, 10.15am - keyskills 11.30am - fitness 12.30 -2HR LUNCH. 2.45pm - teaching theory. 4pm - group tutorial (usually only 10 minutes)
Wednesday: 9am - rehab and therapy, 10.15am - industry experience 11.30am - competition grooming (practical)
Thursday: 9am - Specialist project (miss of class/practical), 10.15am - FREE, 11.30am - flatwork riding lesson 12.30 - 2HR LUNCH. 2.45 - event management (classroom), 4pm - teaching practical (practical, 1/2 group ride and a few teaach then swap over..)
Friday: 9am - nutrition (classroom), 10.15am - jumping riding lesson, 11.30am - BHS prep lesson (practical usually)
Each lesson is an hour with 15 minutes inbetween to untack/tack up/go to next classroom etc.
Ohhh and it's just super fun in general. At lot of my friends live on campus and we have sleepovers, and theres a bar on site and a few pubs opposite the main site You can tell I love my college!
Monday: OFF
Tuesday: 9am - flatwork riding lesson, 10.15am - keyskills 11.30am - fitness 12.30 -2HR LUNCH. 2.45pm - teaching theory. 4pm - group tutorial (usually only 10 minutes)
Wednesday: 9am - rehab and therapy, 10.15am - industry experience 11.30am - competition grooming (practical)
Thursday: 9am - Specialist project (miss of class/practical), 10.15am - FREE, 11.30am - flatwork riding lesson 12.30 - 2HR LUNCH. 2.45 - event management (classroom), 4pm - teaching practical (practical, 1/2 group ride and a few teaach then swap over..)
Friday: 9am - nutrition (classroom), 10.15am - jumping riding lesson, 11.30am - BHS prep lesson (practical usually)
Each lesson is an hour with 15 minutes inbetween to untack/tack up/go to next classroom etc.
Ohhh and it's just super fun in general. At lot of my friends live on campus and we have sleepovers, and theres a bar on site and a few pubs opposite the main site
You can tell I love my college!
V
vimto92
Guest
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