Turn out, catch and maintain horses when turned out — BHS Qualifications Occupational Qualification Animal Care & Veterinary Revision

    This element focuses on the practical skills and underpinning knowledge required to safely turn out, catch, and maintain horses in a field environment. It

    Topic Synopsis

    This element focuses on the practical skills and underpinning knowledge required to safely turn out, catch, and maintain horses in a field environment. It covers preparation procedures, field maintenance tasks, and the application of health and safety legislation to ensure the welfare of both horses and handlers. Mastery of these competencies is essential for routine yard duties and forms the foundation for effective equine management.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Turn out, catch and maintain horses when turned out

    BHS QUALIFICATIONS
    vocational

    This element focuses on the practical skills and underpinning knowledge required to safely turn out, catch, and maintain horses in a field environment. It covers preparation procedures, field maintenance tasks, and the application of health and safety legislation to ensure the welfare of both horses and handlers. Mastery of these competencies is essential for routine yard duties and forms the foundation for effective equine management.

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    Learning Outcomes
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    Assessment Guidance
    6
    Key Skills
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    Key Terms
    7
    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 to care for horses safely and effectively in a professional environment. This diploma is ideal for those aiming to become stable hands, grooms, or assistant yard managers, as it provides a solid foundation in horse husbandry, stable management, and health care.

    The qualification is structured around work-based learning, meaning students develop competencies through real-world experience under the guidance of qualified assessors. Key areas include feeding, watering, grooming, tacking up, mucking out, and recognizing signs of ill health. It also emphasizes health and safety, biosecurity, and the importance of maintaining a clean, organized yard. By completing this diploma, students demonstrate they can handle horses responsibly and contribute to the smooth running of a livery yard, riding school, or competition yard.

    This diploma fits into the wider Animal Care & Veterinary sector as a stepping stone to higher-level qualifications, such as the BHSQ Level 3 Diploma in Work Based Horse Care or specialized equine studies. It also aligns with the British Horse Society's (BHS) progressive training system, which includes the BHS Stage 1 and Stage 2 exams. For students, this qualification opens doors to employment in the equine industry and provides a recognized standard of competence that employers trust.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Routine stable management: daily tasks such as mucking out, bedding management, and maintaining a clean, safe environment for horses.
    • →Feeding and watering: understanding nutritional requirements, feed types, and safe feeding practices to maintain health and condition.
    • →Grooming and tack care: correct grooming techniques to promote coat health and prevent skin issues, plus cleaning and checking tack for safety.
    • →Health monitoring: recognizing normal vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration) and identifying early signs of illness or injury.
    • →Safe handling and restraint: using appropriate techniques for leading, tying up, and handling horses in various situations to prevent accidents.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Be able to prepare to turn horses out, Be able to maintain horses when turned out, Be able to catch up horses, Be able to work safely, Know how to maintain horses when turned out, Know the current health and safety legislation

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for demonstrating correct fitting of a suitable headcollar and lead rope before turning out, ensuring it is secure but not overtightened.
    • Award credit for leading the horse calmly and safely to the field, maintaining control at all times, and releasing the horse appropriately, facing the gate and stepping back immediately.
    • Award credit for checking and noting the condition of fencing, water supply, and grazing before and after turnout, reporting any hazards according to yard policy.
    • Award credit for identifying individual horses and matching them to the correct fields or groups, as per yard routine and safety protocols.
    • Award credit for approaching a loose horse correctly in the field, using appropriate body language, and securing the horse without causing stress or danger.
    • Award credit for performing basic field maintenance tasks such as poo-picking, checking for toxic plants, and ensuring salt licks or supplementary feed are provided as instructed.
    • Award credit for explaining the key requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 as they apply to equine yard operations.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡During practical assessments, verbalise your actions clearly—explain why you are checking certain things (e.g., 'I am looking for signs of injury as I remove the rug') to demonstrate underpinning knowledge.
    • 💡Memorise the hierarchy of health and safety legislation, starting with the Health and Safety at Work Act, and be prepared to give specific examples of how it applies to turning out and catching.
    • 💡When catching a horse, always follow a systematic approach: observe the horse's behaviour, enter the field quietly, approach from the shoulder, halter calmly, and lead away promptly. Practise this sequence until it becomes automatic.
    • 💡For written or oral knowledge questions, link each task to the relevant welfare needs (e.g., providing turnout meets the need for exercise and social interaction) to show a holistic understanding.
    • 💡When demonstrating practical tasks, always explain the 'why' behind each step. For example, when grooming, mention that you're checking for injuries or skin conditions. This shows deeper understanding and earns higher marks.
    • 💡In written assessments, use correct terminology (e.g., 'off fore' instead of 'front left leg'). This demonstrates professional knowledge and attention to detail.
    • 💡For health checks, always record findings clearly and note any changes from normal. Examiners look for systematic observation and the ability to prioritize concerns (e.g., a cut that is bleeding vs. a minor scuff).

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Students often turn the horse away from the gate when releasing, causing the horse to swing its hindquarters towards the handler, increasing kick risk.
    • Failing to check the field for hazards (e.g., broken fencing, litter, rabbit holes) before turning out, which is a key safety omission.
    • Misidentifying horses or assuming group compatibility without checking the yard's grazing plan, leading to injuries or stress.
    • Rushing the catching process by chasing or cornering a horse, instead of using calm, patient approach techniques.
    • Omitting to clean and check headcollars for damage before use, which compromises both safety and equipment longevity.
    • Believing that field maintenance is solely the responsibility of the owner or manager, rather than a daily duty for all staff.
    • Misconception: Horses can be fed haylage and hay interchangeably without adjusting amounts. Correction: Haylage has higher moisture content, so horses need to eat more by weight to get the same dry matter. Overfeeding haylage can lead to obesity or digestive upset if not managed properly.
    • Misconception: A clean stable means the horse is healthy. Correction: While cleanliness is important, horses can still develop respiratory issues from dust or ammonia if bedding is not managed correctly. Good ventilation and dust-extracted bedding are also crucial.
    • Misconception: All horses need the same amount of feed. Correction: Feed requirements vary based on age, workload, breed, and health status. Overfeeding can cause laminitis or colic, while underfeeding leads to weight loss and poor performance.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic understanding of horse behavior and safety around horses (e.g., approaching from the shoulder, not standing directly behind).
    • •Familiarity with common horse breeds and their basic care needs.
    • •Completion of a health and safety induction in an equine environment (e.g., manual handling, fire safety, COSHH).

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Be able to prepare to turn horses out, Be able to maintain horses when turned out, Be able to catch up horses, Be able to work safely, Know how to maintain horses when turned out, Know the current health and safety legislation

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