Ride horses in an enclosed area under supervision — City & Guilds Limited Occupational Qualification Animal Care & Veterinary Revision

    This subtopic focuses on developing foundational riding skills essential for safe and controlled equestrian practice under direct supervision. Learners wil

    Topic Synopsis

    This subtopic focuses on developing foundational riding skills essential for safe and controlled equestrian practice under direct supervision. Learners will master correct mounting and dismounting techniques, maintain a balanced and effective seat, and apply basic aids to guide a quiet horse within a confined space. The practical application is integral to routine yard duties and prepares individuals for further training in horse care and riding, ensuring both handler and horse safety.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Ride horses in an enclosed area under supervision

    CITY & GUILDS LIMITED
    vocational

    This subtopic focuses on developing foundational riding skills essential for safe and controlled equestrian practice under direct supervision. Learners will master correct mounting and dismounting techniques, maintain a balanced and effective seat, and apply basic aids to guide a quiet horse within a confined space. The practical application is integral to routine yard duties and prepares individuals for further training in horse care and riding, ensuring both handler and horse safety.

    12
    Learning Outcomes
    12
    Assessment Guidance
    14
    Key Skills
    11
    Key Terms
    17
    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 Diploma in Work-based Horse Care and Riding is an introductory qualification designed for individuals who are new to the equine industry or have limited experience with horses. It covers the fundamental skills needed to care for horses in a stable or yard environment, including feeding, grooming, mucking out, and basic health checks. The riding component focuses on safe and correct techniques at walk and trot, ensuring students develop a solid foundation for progression to Level 2.

    This qualification is essential for anyone aspiring to work in the equine sector, such as a groom, stable hand, or riding instructor assistant. It provides a structured pathway into the industry, combining practical hands-on experience with underpinning knowledge of horse behaviour, welfare, and stable management. By completing this diploma, students demonstrate competence in essential tasks and an understanding of health and safety regulations, which are critical for working safely around horses.

    The diploma is typically delivered in a work-based setting, meaning students learn on the job under supervision. This approach ensures that skills are directly applicable to real-world scenarios, such as preparing horses for riding, maintaining clean and safe stables, and recognising signs of ill health. The qualification also introduces students to the importance of teamwork and communication within a yard, preparing them for further study or employment.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Safe handling and leading: Always approach a horse from the front or side, speak calmly, and use a correctly fitted headcollar and lead rope. Never stand directly behind a horse.
    • →Stable management: Daily tasks include mucking out (removing soiled bedding), skipping out (removing droppings), and maintaining clean water and feed buckets. Bedding types (straw, shavings, paper) have different management needs.
    • →Basic grooming: Use a rubber curry comb to loosen dirt, a dandy brush for coarse hair, and a body brush for fine hair and sensitive areas. Always groom in the direction of hair growth and avoid sensitive areas like the eyes and nose.
    • →Feeding: Horses need a diet based on forage (hay or grass) with concentrates (hard feed) as needed. Feed by weight, not volume, and always provide fresh water. Never feed a hot horse immediately after exercise.
    • →Riding at walk and trot: Maintain a balanced seat with heels down, eyes up, and hands soft. Use the reins for steering and speed control, and apply leg aids to ask for forward movement. Rising trot involves rising and sitting in rhythm with the horse's stride.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Be able to mount and dismount quiet horses under supervision, Be able to ride a quiet horse under supervision, Be able to work safely
    • Demonstrate correct mounting and dismounting techniques using a mounting block with a quiet horse.
    • Apply independent rein and leg aids to maintain a steady walk and halt.
    • Ride a quiet horse at trot while maintaining a balanced, secure position.
    • Follow verbal instructions from a supervisor promptly and safely during riding activities.
    • Identify and respond appropriately to basic equine behaviours and signals of discomfort.
    • Conduct pre- and post-ride safety checks on tack and personal protective equipment.
    • Execute correct mounting and dismounting procedures while maintaining horse comfort and control.
    • Demonstrate appropriate riding position and use of basic aids to control pace and direction under supervision.
    • Identify potential hazards in the riding area and apply risk control measures.
    • Communicate effectively with the supervisor regarding horse behaviour and riding progress.
    • Apply principles of horse welfare and ethical treatment during riding sessions.

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for demonstrating a systematic pre-mounting safety check, including girth tightness, stirrup length adjustment, and ensuring the environment is free of hazards.
    • Award credit for performing mounting correctly from the near side using a mounting block where available, maintaining contact with the reins and mane throughout, and landing softly in the saddle.
    • Award credit for maintaining a balanced and independent seat at walk and trot, with heels down, shoulders back, and eyes forward, while following the horse's movement.
    • Award credit for applying clear, gentle aids to direct the horse accurately through figures and transitions, demonstrating effective use of legs, seat, and hands without causing distress.
    • Award credit for consistently adhering to safety protocols throughout the session, including wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and following supervisor instructions.
    • Award credit for checking the girth and adjusting stirrups before mounting.
    • Credit for using the mounting block correctly and maintaining contact with the horse throughout.
    • Evidence of maintaining a deep, secure seat with heels down and light rein contact at walk and trot.
    • Credit for consistent application of clear, gentle aids to achieve transitions and directional changes.
    • Recognition of actions taken to ensure safety, such as waiting for supervisor clearance before moving off.
    • Award credit for correctly dismounting and leading the horse safely to the tie-up area.
    • Award credit for correctly checking tack and personal protective equipment before mounting.
    • Look for calm and controlled approach to the horse, including appropriate handling from the ground.
    • Ensure mounting is performed with minimal disturbance to the horse, using correct technique (e.g., using mounting block, not pulling on reins).
    • During riding, assess the rider's ability to maintain a balanced seat and gentle hand contact.
    • Credit for demonstrating awareness of the horse's reactions and adjusting riding style accordingly.
    • Observe safe dismounting procedure, including proper rein handling and landing softly.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Always perform a full safety assessment before mounting, verbalising checks to show the assessor your risk awareness.
    • 💡Demonstrate smooth, unhurried movements when mounting and dismounting; fluidity conveys confidence and competence.
    • 💡Use a quiet but authoritative voice to reassure the horse and communicate intentions, as this reflects good practice in handling.
    • 💡If the horse becomes unsettled, calmly regain control using basic safety techniques rather than panicking, as assessors look for problem-solving under supervision.
    • 💡Practice mounting and dismounting consistently to build muscle memory and confidence before the assessment.
    • 💡Always vocalise your safety checks (e.g., ‘girth tight, stirrups down’) to demonstrate awareness to the assessor.
    • 💡If you lose balance, relax your seat and gently use the rein and leg aids to regain control rather than gripping with your legs.
    • 💡Be proactive in communicating with the supervisor—acknowledge instructions and ask for clarification if needed.
    • 💡Practice mounting and dismounting from both sides to demonstrate versatility in case of horse preference.
    • 💡Always verbalise your safety checks and intentions to the supervisor, showing conscious competence.
    • 💡Focus on smooth transitions and quiet aids; assessors value subtlety over force.
    • 💡In case of a mistake, remain calm and correct it smoothly; how you handle errors can earn marks.
    • 💡For practical assessments, always demonstrate a clear understanding of health and safety. For example, when leading a horse, check that the headcollar is secure and the lead rope is not trailing on the floor. Examiners look for safe practice above all.
    • 💡In written exams, use correct terminology such as 'nearside' (left side) and 'offside' (right side). When describing stable tasks, mention the order of operations (e.g., remove horse, muck out, skip, replace bedding, water, feed) to show logical thinking.
    • 💡For riding assessments, focus on your position and aids. Keep your heels down and hands still. When asked to trot, ensure you have a secure seat before asking the horse to move forward. A common mistake is leaning forward, which unbalances the horse.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Mounting without securing the horse properly, leading to the horse moving off during the process, which compromises safety.
    • Using excessive rein tension or gripping with the legs, causing the horse to become tense, resistant, or to move erratically.
    • Looking down at the horse or hands instead of ahead, resulting in poor balance and inability to anticipate changes in direction or speed.
    • Dismounting by swinging a leg over the neck instead of the correct method of kicking both feet from stirrups and sliding down, which can startle the horse.
    • Failing to maintain a consistent contact on the reins, leading to loss of steering control or sudden acceleration.
    • Pulling on the reins for balance when riding, instead of using leg and core stability.
    • Sitting heavily in the saddle or collapsing the upper body during rising trot.
    • Failing to check the girth and stirrup length before mounting, leading to equipment slippage.
    • Ignoring the horse’s pinned ears or tail swishing, missing early signs of irritation.
    • Dismounting by swinging the right leg over the horse’s neck, increasing fall risk.
    • Forcing the foot too far into the stirrup, causing imbalance or discomfort to the horse.
    • Pulling on the reins for support while mounting, which can hurt the horse's mouth.
    • Tensing up or gripping too tightly with legs, which may startle the horse.
    • Not looking ahead or maintaining awareness of the riding area boundaries.
    • Misconception: 'You should always groom a horse vigorously to get them clean.' Correction: Over-grooming can strip natural oils and irritate the skin. Use gentle, circular motions and adjust pressure based on the horse's reaction.
    • Misconception: 'A horse that is sweating after work should be cooled down by hosing with cold water.' Correction: Cold water can cause muscle stiffness and shock. Instead, walk the horse until it is dry, then scrape off excess sweat and use a cooler rug if needed.
    • Misconception: 'Trotting is just a faster walk.' Correction: Trotting requires a different seat and rhythm. You must learn to rise (post) to avoid bouncing, and the horse's diagonal pairs of legs move in a two-beat rhythm, not four.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •No formal prerequisites are required for this Level 1 diploma, but a basic understanding of horse behaviour and safety is beneficial. Students should be comfortable around horses and physically able to perform tasks such as lifting hay bales and mucking out.
    • •Prior completion of a short introductory course, such as the City & Guilds Level 1 Award in Horse Care, can provide a helpful foundation. However, the diploma is designed for beginners and covers all necessary knowledge from scratch.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Be able to mount and dismount quiet horses under supervision, Be able to ride a quiet horse under supervision, Be able to work safely
    • Safe mounting and dismounting
    • Basic horse control aids
    • Rider position and balance
    • Supervised riding etiquette
    • Horse behaviour observation
    • Personal protective equipment
    • Safe mounting and dismounting procedures
    • Correct riding position and basic aids
    • Risk assessment and hazard control
    • Supervisor communication and teamwork

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