Assist with pre and post trek procedures — BHS Qualifications Occupational Qualification Animal Care & Veterinary Revision

    This subtopic covers the essential procedures undertaken before and after a horse trek to ensure the safety and well-being of both horses and riders. Learn

    Topic Synopsis

    This subtopic covers the essential procedures undertaken before and after a horse trek to ensure the safety and well-being of both horses and riders. Learners will develop practical skills in preparing horses for exercise, checking equipment, and providing post-activity care, while adhering to legal and environmental responsibilities. Mastery of these routines is critical for maintaining high welfare standards and preventing accidents in a commercial trekking centre.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Assist with pre and post trek procedures

    BHS QUALIFICATIONS
    vocational

    This subtopic covers the essential procedures undertaken before and after a horse trek to ensure the safety and well-being of both horses and riders. Learners will develop practical skills in preparing horses for exercise, checking equipment, and providing post-activity care, while adhering to legal and environmental responsibilities. Mastery of these routines is critical for maintaining high welfare standards and preventing accidents in a commercial trekking centre.

    5
    Learning Outcomes
    3
    Assessment Guidance
    4
    Key Skills
    6
    Key Terms
    5
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    BHSQ Level 2 Diploma in Work Based Horse Care

    Topic Overview

    The BHSQ Level 2 Diploma in Work Based Horse Care is a vocational qualification designed for individuals working or volunteering in the horse care industry. It covers essential practical skills and knowledge required for daily care of horses in a livery yard, riding school, or private stable. Topics include feeding, grooming, health monitoring, stable management, and basic first aid, all underpinned by safe working practices and horse behaviour understanding.

    This diploma is ideal for those aiming to become a stable hand, groom, or assistant yard manager. It provides a solid foundation for progression to Level 3 qualifications or apprenticeships. The work-based nature means you apply learning directly in your workplace, building competence through real tasks and assessments. Mastery of these skills ensures horses' welfare and safety, which is the cornerstone of professional equine care.

    The qualification is assessed through a portfolio of evidence, observations, and written questions. You'll need to demonstrate consistent, safe, and effective care routines. Understanding the 'why' behind each task—such as why certain feeds are chosen or how to recognise early signs of illness—is crucial for both assessment and real-world application.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →The 'Five Freedoms' of animal welfare: freedom from hunger/thirst, discomfort, pain/injury/disease, fear/distress, and freedom to express normal behaviour. These underpin all horse care decisions.
    • →Correct feeding practices: knowing forage-to-concentrate ratios, safe feeding routines, and recognising signs of good condition vs. obesity or malnutrition.
    • →Routine health checks: taking temperature, pulse, and respiration (TPR) and recognising abnormal values; identifying lameness, colic signs, and skin conditions.
    • →Stable management: mucking out techniques, bedding types (straw, shavings, rubber mats), and maintaining a clean, safe environment to prevent respiratory issues and injuries.
    • →Safe handling and restraint: leading, tying up, using headcollars correctly, and understanding horse behaviour to minimise risk of accidents.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Demonstrate correct procedures for checking a horse’s physical and behavioural readiness before a trek.
    • Select and fit appropriate tack and equipment for different horses and riding activities.
    • Apply post-trek cooling, grooming, and health monitoring techniques to ensure horse welfare.
    • Interpret and follow health and safety regulations applicable to trekking operations.
    • Implement environmental good practice when managing horse waste and pasture during trek activities.

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for systematically checking the horse for signs of lameness, injury, or illness before allowing the trek.
    • Confirm the learner checks the condition and security of all tack, including stitching, buckles, and stirrup bars.
    • Expect the learner to explain why a cool-down walk and grooming are essential after exercise.
    • Require evidence of correctly fitting a riding hat to the rider and checking footwear.
    • Assess understanding of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) in the context of trekking incidents.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡When describing pre-trek procedures, always structure your answer in a logical sequence from horse assessment to rider mounting.
    • 💡Refer to specific legislation by name (e.g., Health and Safety at Work Act 1974) and explain how it applies to trekking centres, rather than just listing it.
    • 💡In practical assessments, verbalise your checks as you perform them to demonstrate your thought process to the assessor.
    • 💡When demonstrating stable tasks, always explain the reason behind each step. For example, when mucking out, say 'I'm removing wet patches to prevent ammonia build-up, which can damage the horse's respiratory system.' This shows deeper understanding.
    • 💡Keep a detailed diary of daily routines and any health observations. This provides excellent evidence for your portfolio and helps you recall specific examples during assessments.
    • 💡Practice taking TPR (temperature, pulse, respiration) regularly on different horses so you become confident and accurate. Examiners look for correct placement of the stethoscope and counting for the full 15 seconds (then multiplying by 4).

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Relying on verbal confirmation from the rider that tack is fitted correctly without performing a hands-on check.
    • Neglecting to remove mud from hooves before picking out stones, which can hide injuries.
    • Not monitoring the horse’s respiration and temperature after a trek, assuming it is fine if it looks calm.
    • Failing to check the condition of the bit and bridle leather for wear that could cause breakage.
    • Misconception: 'All horses need hard feed (concentrates) daily.' Correction: Many horses in light work thrive on forage alone; concentrates should only be fed to meet specific energy or nutrient deficits, as overfeeding can cause laminitis or colic.
    • Misconception: 'A horse lying down is always a sign of illness.' Correction: Horses lie down to rest and sleep, especially at night. However, prolonged lying down, rolling, or getting up and down repeatedly can indicate colic or other issues.
    • Misconception: 'You should always groom a horse vigorously before riding.' Correction: Over-grooming can strip natural oils and cause skin irritation. A quick brush to remove dirt and check for injuries is sufficient; thorough grooming can be done after exercise.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •A basic understanding of horse behaviour and safety around horses, typically gained through volunteering or work experience.
    • •Completion of a Level 1 qualification in horse care or equivalent practical experience is helpful but not mandatory.
    • •Good communication skills and the ability to follow written and verbal instructions are essential for workplace tasks and assessments.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Pre-trek safety checks
    • Tack fitting and maintenance
    • Horse handling and assessment
    • Post-trek care and cool down
    • Health and safety legislation
    • Environmental good practice

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