Principles of mounting and dismounting quiet horses under supervision — City & Guilds Limited Occupational Qualification Animal Care & Veterinary Revision

    This subtopic covers the essential knowledge and safe practices for mounting and dismounting quiet horses under supervision. Learners understand the import

    Topic Synopsis

    This subtopic covers the essential knowledge and safe practices for mounting and dismounting quiet horses under supervision. Learners understand the importance of correct procedures to protect horse welfare, prevent injury to rider and handler, and comply with legal requirements. It also addresses proper use, maintenance, and storage of equipment, alongside environmental considerations such as safe disposal of cleaning agents.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Principles of mounting and dismounting quiet horses under supervision

    CITY & GUILDS LIMITED
    vocational

    This subtopic covers the safe and correct techniques for mounting and dismounting quiet horses, foundational skills essential for all ridden work. Learners explore the significance of consistent, calm practices to ensure horse and rider safety, alongside the selection, fitting, and care of key equipment such as mounting blocks, stirrups, and girths. Emphasis is placed on complying with health and safety legislation and adopting environmentally sound practices, such as proper waste disposal and minimising ground damage, to uphold professional stable yard standards.

    7
    Learning Outcomes
    13
    Assessment Guidance
    15
    Key Skills
    6
    Key Terms
    16
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma in Work-based Horse Care and Riding
    City & Guilds Level 1 Award in Work-based Horse Care
    City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Work-based Horse Care

    Topic Overview

    The City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Work-based Horse Care is an introductory qualification designed for individuals starting their career in the equine industry. It covers essential practical skills and knowledge required for safe and effective horse care in a work-based setting, such as a livery yard, riding school, or competition yard. Topics include stable management, feeding, grooming, health monitoring, and basic handling techniques, all aligned with industry standards and health and safety regulations.

    This qualification is part of the wider Animal Care & Veterinary sector and provides a foundation for progression to Level 2 qualifications in Horse Care or other animal-related fields. It emphasizes hands-on learning in real work environments, ensuring students develop competence and confidence in daily horse care routines. Understanding these fundamentals is crucial for anyone aspiring to work with horses professionally, as it promotes animal welfare and workplace safety.

    By completing this certificate, students gain a recognized vocational qualification that demonstrates their ability to perform routine tasks under supervision. It also introduces key concepts such as biosecurity, record-keeping, and teamwork, which are transferable to other roles in animal care. The work-based nature of the course means students apply theory directly to practice, making the learning relevant and immediately useful.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Stable management: daily routines including mucking out, bedding types (e.g., straw, shavings), and maintaining a clean, safe environment to prevent respiratory issues and injury.
    • →Feeding and nutrition: understanding forage-to-concentrate ratios, feeding according to workload, and recognizing signs of poor condition or colic risk.
    • →Grooming and hoof care: correct use of grooming tools, picking out feet, and identifying common hoof problems like thrush or cracks.
    • →Health monitoring: taking temperature, pulse, and respiration (TPR), recognizing signs of illness or injury, and knowing when to report to a supervisor.
    • →Safe handling and restraint: approaching horses safely, using headcollars and lead ropes, and applying basic restraint techniques for grooming or veterinary procedures.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Know why it is important to be able to mount and dismount quiet horses, Know the types of equipment required and how to maintain them, Know relevant health and safety legislation and environmental good practice
    • State the importance of safe mounting and dismounting techniques for horse and rider welfare
    • Identify the types of equipment required for mounting and dismounting quiet horses
    • Demonstrate correct maintenance checks on mounting-related equipment
    • Outline key health and safety legislation relevant to horse care activities
    • Describe environmental good practices to minimise impact during equestrian tasks
    • Know why it is important to be able to mount and dismount quiet horses, Know the types of equipment required and how to maintain them, Know relevant health and safety legislation and environmental good practice

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for demonstrating a correct and safe mounting procedure using a mounting block, including checking girth and stirrups beforehand, maintaining contact with reins, and mounting from the left side in a controlled manner.
    • Award credit for selecting, fitting, and inspecting mounting and dismounting equipment (e.g., mounting block, stirrup leathers, girth) and explaining basic maintenance practices such as cleaning, checking for wear and tear, and safe storage.
    • Award credit for explaining the importance of mounting and dismounting quietly and steadily to prevent startling the horse, and for recognising when assistance or supervision is needed.
    • Award credit for identifying key health and safety legislation relevant to mounting and dismounting, such as the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) for mounting blocks, and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for duty of care.
    • Award credit for describing environmental good practice during mounting/dismounting, such as avoiding churning of ground near gates, using designated mounting areas, and disposing of any waste (e.g., worn tack) responsibly.
    • Award credit for demonstrating a pre-mount safety check, including girth tightness and stirrup condition
    • Credit for using a mounting block and explaining its benefits for horse comfort and safety
    • Expectation to show correct foot placement in the stirrup and controlled use of reins during mounting
    • Award credit for a balanced, controlled dismount landing softly with both feet
    • Credit for correctly identifying and maintaining personal protective equipment (e.g., riding hat, boots)
    • Expectation to reference specific legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 when discussing legal responsibilities
    • Award credit for explaining that quiet horses are less likely to react unpredictably, reducing risk of injury during mounting/dismounting.
    • Expect evidence of correctly identifying and checking equipment (saddle, girth, stirrups, mounting block) for wear and damage before use.
    • Look for demonstration of safe mounting technique: using a mounting block, facing the rear, keeping reins contact, swinging leg over without kicking the horse.
    • Require knowledge of key health and safety legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and how it applies to horse care environments.
    • Award credit for describing environmental good practice: cleaning tack in designated areas, disposing of waste materials according to COSHH regulations.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡During practical assessments, narrate your actions quietly, explaining each check (e.g., 'girth is snug, stirrups are down, mounting block is stable') to demonstrate underpinning knowledge.
    • 💡For written assignments, always reference specific legislation by name and explain how it applies to the task – this shows higher-level understanding and meets grading criteria.
    • 💡Practice emergency dismounts in a controlled setting under supervision, as assessors may ask you to describe or demonstrate procedures for dismounting quickly in case of a problem.
    • 💡When discussing equipment maintenance, link it to safety: e.g., 'I check stirrup treads for wear because a slippery stirrup could cause a fall', which directly addresses health and safety learning outcomes.
    • 💡Always perform a visible pre-mount safety check during practical assessments to demonstrate thoroughness
    • 💡Use a mounting block whenever possible and mention that it reduces strain on the horse's back
    • 💡In written responses, refer to health and safety legislation by name, such as the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations
    • 💡Describe equipment maintenance steps clearly, e.g., cleaning leather to prevent cracking and checking stitching on stirrup leathers
    • 💡Maintain clear communication with the supervisor throughout practical tasks to show awareness of supervised work protocols
    • 💡Before any practical assessment, verbally list your pre-mount checks to the supervisor to demonstrate systematic approach.
    • 💡When discussing legislation, always state the full title of the act and give an example of how it applies to mounting/dismounting (e.g., 'Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, I must ensure my actions do not endanger myself or others').
    • 💡For environmental good practice, mention specific substances (e.g., saddle soap residue) and their correct disposal routes.
    • 💡In portfolio evidence, include photographs or diagrams with annotations showing correct versus incorrect equipment setup.
    • 💡In practical assessments, always demonstrate correct manual handling techniques (e.g., lifting hay bales with a straight back) and explain why you are doing each step – this shows understanding, not just rote learning.
    • 💡When answering written questions, use specific examples from your work placement (e.g., 'I once noticed a horse with a swollen leg and reported it to my supervisor, who checked for heat and pulse'). This demonstrates application of knowledge.
    • 💡For health and safety questions, always mention the relevant legislation (e.g., Health and Safety at Work Act 1974) and how it applies to tasks like mucking out or using chemicals for disinfection.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Mounting without first checking the girth is adequately tightened, leading to saddle slippage and potential falls.
    • Swinging the right leg over the horse’s back carelessly, which may strike the horse's croup and cause it to spook or move forward.
    • Dismounting by kicking the right foot free from the stirrup while still fully seated, instead of first standing in the left stirrup, which can unbalance the horse.
    • Neglecting to run stirrups up after dismounting, which is poor stable management and can lead to equipment damage or injury.
    • Overlooking environmental impact: dismounting and tying the horse in an area that causes excessive ground erosion or not cleaning up droppings after dismounting.
    • Neglecting to check girth tightness before mounting, leading to saddle slippage
    • Pulling on the horse's neck or mane for balance, causing discomfort or injury
    • Dismounting by swinging a leg over without control, risking loss of balance or kicking the horse
    • Forgetting to secure the horse properly (e.g., reins over head) before dismounting
    • Not wearing appropriate safety equipment such as a correctly fitted riding hat
    • Forgetting to check the girth tightness before mounting, leading to saddle slip.
    • Mounting from the ground without a block, putting uneven strain on the horse’s back.
    • Dismounting by swinging the leg over the horse’s neck or head rather than hindquarters.
    • Not maintaining light contact with the reins during the process, losing control of the horse.
    • Confusing legislation: e.g., stating RIDDOR without linking to specific accidents in horse care settings.
    • Misconception: Horses can be fed large amounts of grain without risk. Correction: Overfeeding concentrates can cause laminitis or colic; feeds must be balanced with forage and adjusted to workload.
    • Misconception: A clean stable means the horse is healthy. Correction: While cleanliness is important, health monitoring requires checking TPR, appetite, and behaviour; a clean stable does not guarantee the horse is well.
    • Misconception: All horses enjoy being groomed vigorously. Correction: Some horses are sensitive; grooming should be adapted to the horse's temperament and any injuries, using gentle strokes on bony areas.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •No formal prerequisites, but a basic understanding of animal care and a willingness to work outdoors in all weathers is beneficial.
    • •Completion of a Level 1 Award in Animal Care or equivalent introductory course can provide helpful background knowledge.
    • •Students should be comfortable with basic literacy and numeracy to complete written assessments and calculate feed rations.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Know why it is important to be able to mount and dismount quiet horses, Know the types of equipment required and how to maintain them, Know relevant health and safety legislation and environmental good practice
    • Safe mounting and dismounting procedures
    • Equipment identification and care
    • Health and safety compliance
    • Environmental good practice
    • Know why it is important to be able to mount and dismount quiet horses, Know the types of equipment required and how to maintain them, Know relevant health and safety legislation and environmental good practice

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