Riding and Exercising Horses — City & Guilds Limited Occupational Qualification Animal Care & Veterinary Revision

    This element focuses on developing practical riding competence across varied environments, from the controlled school setting to cross-country and roadwork

    Topic Synopsis

    This element focuses on developing practical riding competence across varied environments, from the controlled school setting to cross-country and roadwork. Learners must demonstrate balanced, effective position and sensitive application of aids while maintaining safety and horse welfare. Mastery enables confident handling of trained horses in flatwork, gymnastic jumping, jumping courses, and hacking, forming the foundation for advanced equitation and coaching roles.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Riding and Exercising Horses

    CITY & GUILDS LIMITED
    vocational

    This element focuses on the practical skills and theoretical understanding required to safely and effectively ride horses in a variety of environments, including the school, over fences, and out hacking. Learners develop competence in riding a trained horse on the flat, executing gymnastic jumping exercises, negotiating a course of fences, and managing a quiet horse on roads and open spaces. Emphasis is on correct position, effective use of aids, safety protocols, and adapting riding techniques to different settings to ensure horse welfare and rider confidence.

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    Learning Outcomes
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    Assessment Guidance
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    Key Skills
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    Key Terms
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    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Horse Management
    City & Guilds Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Horse Management
    City & Guilds Level 3 90-Credit Diploma in Horse Management
    City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management
    City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Horse Management

    Topic Overview

    The City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management is a comprehensive vocational qualification designed for students aiming to pursue a professional career in the equine industry. This diploma covers a wide range of topics, including horse health, nutrition, breeding, stable management, and business operations, providing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It is equivalent to three A-levels and is highly regarded by employers and higher education institutions within the equine sector.

    Throughout the course, students develop a deep understanding of equine anatomy and physiology, enabling them to assess and maintain horse welfare effectively. Practical modules focus on daily care routines, handling techniques, and riding instruction, while theoretical components cover genetics, disease prevention, and financial management of equine enterprises. This blend ensures graduates are well-prepared for roles such as yard manager, riding instructor, or equine business owner.

    The diploma also emphasises health and safety regulations, ethical considerations, and sustainable practices within the industry. Students learn to apply scientific principles to real-world scenarios, such as designing feeding plans or implementing biosecurity measures. By the end of the programme, learners are equipped with the competence and confidence to manage horses in various settings, from livery yards to competition stables.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Equine anatomy and physiology: Understanding the structure and function of the horse's body systems, including the digestive, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems, is fundamental for assessing health and performance.
    • →Nutrition and feeding management: Knowledge of nutrient requirements, feed types, and ration balancing is crucial for maintaining optimal body condition and preventing metabolic disorders.
    • →Stable management and biosecurity: Effective routines for mucking out, bedding, and disinfecting, along with vaccination and quarantine protocols, minimise disease transmission.
    • →Breeding and genetics: Concepts of oestrous cycles, stud management, and inheritance patterns help in planning matings and improving breed characteristics.
    • →Business and financial management: Skills in budgeting, marketing, and legal compliance are essential for running a successful equine enterprise.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Demonstrate a balanced and effective seat at walk, trot, and canter while maintaining correct rein contact.
    • Apply appropriate aids to execute school figures including circles, serpentines, and changes of rein with precision.
    • Ride a trained horse through a gymnastic grid, adjusting stride and position to facilitate smooth jumping.
    • Navigate a course of fences at appropriate pace and rhythm, demonstrating controlled approaches and safe landings.
    • Assess and manage risks when riding on public roads, including correct positioning, hand signals, and horse control.
    • Adapt riding technique to varied terrain in open spaces, ensuring horse’s balance and confidence.
    • Evaluate horse’s responses to aids and make immediate corrections to maintain responsiveness and relaxation.
    • Demonstrate effective riding of a trained horse in a school environment, executing precise transitions and school figures.
    • Ride gymnastic jumping exercises, maintaining correct rhythm, approach, and take-off position.
    • Navigate a course of fences, applying appropriate jumping technique and adjusting stride as needed.
    • Ride a quiet horse on the road and in open country, managing environmental hazards and maintaining control.
    • Assess the horse's fitness and condition before and after riding sessions in different settings.
    • Analyse riding performance to identify areas for improvement in horse and rider harmony.
    • Demonstrate correct riding position and consistent application of aids during flatwork routines in an indoor and outdoor school.
    • Execute gymnastic jumping grids to improve horse suppleness, adjustability, and rider balance over fences.
    • Ride a trained horse confidently over a course of show jumps, maintaining rhythm, appropriate speed, and accurate lines.
    • Apply safe practices and legal requirements when riding a quiet horse on public roads and open countryside, including negotiating common hazards.
    • Assess a horse’s fitness level and suitability for varied ridden exercise, adapting sessions to prevent over-exertion or injury.
    • Evaluate own performance in riding activities and set realistic goals for technical improvement and proficiency progression.
    • Be able to ride a trained horse in the school, Be able to ride gymnastic jumping, Be able to ride a trained horse over fences, Be able to ride a quiet horse on the road and in the open
    • Demonstrate correct riding posture and apply aids effectively during school riding in walk, trot, and canter.
    • Execute a progressive sequence of gymnastic jumping fences, maintaining rhythm, balance, and an independent seat.
    • Ride a trained horse over a typical show-jumping course, planning lines and making smooth transitions between fences.
    • Ride a quiet horse safely on public roads, following Highway Code rules and using appropriate signals.
    • Navigate open terrain at walk, trot, and canter, assessing ground conditions and adapting pace accordingly.
    • Evaluate the horse’s fitness and behaviour before, during, and after exercise, recording observations accurately.

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for maintaining a consistent, soft contact with the horse’s mouth while demonstrating an independent seat.
    • Expect clear and timely application of half-halts before transitions or movements.
    • Look for steady rhythm and straightness on approach to fences, with rider looking ahead over the fence.
    • Assess for correct diagonal and lead changes where required.
    • Evidence of scanning environment for hazards and adjusting speed accordingly during hacking.
    • Award credit for demonstrating a secure, balanced seat across all paces and transitions.
    • Evidence correct use of aids to achieve consistent rhythm and impulsion in school work.
    • In jumping, credit steady approach, correct release, and recovery on landing.
    • For road riding, assess adherence to the Highway Code and proactive hazard awareness.
    • Expect reflection on the horse's response and adjustments to ride plans based on horse's behaviour.
    • Maintains correct diagonal in rising trot and correct canter lead throughout flatwork sequences.
    • Uses clear half-halts and transitions between gaits with minimal resistance from the horse.
    • Approaches gymnastic jumping exercises at an appropriate pace, demonstrating a secure and balanced jumping position.
    • Shows effective use of leg and seat aids to steer and control pace on open ground.
    • Award credit for consistent observation of road safety rules, including hand signals and riding single file where required.
    • Provides evidence of informed decision-making, such as adjusting route or exercise based on horse’s response.
    • Award credit for maintaining a correct, supple, and independent seat in walk, trot, and canter, with quiet, effective rein and leg aids.
    • Expect consistent rhythm, straightness, and accurate school figures, with smooth transitions between and within paces.
    • Credit demonstration of a secure, forward seat over gymnastic grids, maintaining light contact and following the horse’s motion without interfering.
    • Assess ability to approach fences at correct pace, establish balanced canter, and ride a clear round with rhythmical jumping and safe landing.
    • For road and open riding, award credit for constant awareness of surroundings, clear hand signals, and effective control of the horse in traffic and open spaces, including safe negotiation of gates and varied terrain.
    • Award credit for demonstrating a secure, balanced position with hands that softly follow the horse’s mouth in all gaits.
    • Evidence of effective use of half-halts and transitions to improve the horse’s way of going during school work.
    • Credit is given for maintaining an even rhythm through gymnastic grids without rushing or knocking poles.
    • Assessors look for confident, safe handling when opening gates, navigating traffic, or negotiating natural obstacles while hacking.
    • Full marks require evidence of pre-ride risk assessment (tack, equipment, weather, route planning) and post-ride care.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡In practical assessments, narrate your actions to demonstrate underpinning knowledge, e.g., explain why you chose a particular line of approach.
    • 💡Practice school figures regularly to build muscle memory for accurate execution under test conditions.
    • 💡Familiarise yourself with the Highway Code and BHS Riding and Road Safety guidance to answer related theory questions.
    • 💡Record video of your riding to self-evaluate position and effectiveness before assessment.
    • 💡During jumping, focus on maintaining a consistent rhythm rather than speed, as judges look for control and fluency.
    • 💡Provide video evidence that clearly shows the rider’s position and horse’s way of going from multiple angles.
    • 💡Include a commentary explaining decision-making during each phase of the ride, such as line choice over fences.
    • 💡Demonstrate a systematic warm-up, showing progressive suppling and preparation for jumping or hacking.
    • 💡For road riding, explicitly narrate hazard perception checks and mirror work to satisfy assessment criteria.
    • 💡Incorporate a structured warm-up and cool-down routine in every ridden session to promote horse welfare and demonstrate professional practice.
    • 💡Practice riding over varied terrain and in different weather conditions to build both horse and rider confidence for road and open riding.
    • 💡Keep a reflective riding diary to document progress, challenges, and target areas, as this can support oral questioning and professional discussion assessments.
    • 💡Review the Highway Code and local bridleway regulations to prepare for safe and legal riding on public roads.
    • 💡For the riding assessment, demonstrate systematic warm-up and cool-down, showing empathy for the horse’s way of going and correct use of the scales of training (rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness, collection).
    • 💡In gymnastic jumping, focus on looking ahead to the next element, keeping lower leg stable, and using a softly following hand to allow the horse to use its neck and back correctly.
    • 💡During roadwork, explicitly verbalise your observations and decisions (e.g., looking behind, signalling, positioning for hazards) to evidence continual risk assessment, even if the horse is quiet.
    • 💡Practise riding accurate school figures (circles, serpentines) in all gaits; precision in transitions and shapes is highly scored.
    • 💡When jumping, focus on maintaining a steady canter rhythm—speed does not equate to better performance; control is key.
    • 💡Always vocalize or document your safety checks before hacking; this demonstrates a proactive, professional approach to assessors.
    • 💡Record training sessions in a reflective log, noting what went well and areas for improvement—this shows progression and thinking like a professional groom.
    • 💡Use specific terminology from the syllabus, such as 'epiphysitis' or 'gastric ulceration', to demonstrate depth of knowledge. Avoid vague descriptions like 'the horse is sick'.
    • 💡In practical assessments, always prioritise health and safety. For example, when demonstrating bandaging, explain why you check for heat or swelling first.
    • 💡Link theory to practice: If asked about feeding, mention how you would adjust rations for a horse in heavy work versus a resting horse, showing you can apply concepts.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Riders often lean forward too early over a fence, unbalancing the horse on take-off.
    • Failing to check for traffic before signalling a turn on the road.
    • Using excessive rein contact instead of seat and leg aids, causing resistance.
    • Neglecting to warm up horse properly before jumping exercises.
    • Riders often tip forward or lose balance when transitioning between paces or over jumps.
    • Incorrect rein contact causing resistance or hollowing, particularly during gymnastic grids.
    • Failure to look ahead for hazards on the road, leading to dangerous situations.
    • Neglecting to warm up or cool down the horse adequately, risking injury.
    • Using inconsistent leg aids, confusing the horse and causing erratic responses.
    • Leaning forward excessively over fences, causing loss of balance and interfering with the horse’s jump.
    • Failure to perform a pre-ride tack and safety check, leading to potential equipment failure.
    • Poor road positioning, such as riding too far from the kerb, increasing risk from overtaking vehicles.
    • Inconsistent or over-strong use of aids, confusing the horse and reducing harmony.
    • Rigid or ‘driving seat’ in trot, collapsing hip in canter, or leaning on the hands, leading to loss of balance and unclear aids.
    • Rushing fences due to inability to maintain a consistent canter, resulting in flat, long jumps and a hollow back over the fence.
    • Over-reliance on reins for control on the road, causing tension or evasion, rather than using seat and legs to maintain a calm, forward rhythm.
    • Failing to adjust stirrup length or body position when transitioning from school to jumping or hacking, compromising safety and effectiveness.
    • Riders often look down at the base of the jump instead of looking ahead, causing the horse to lose impulsion and knock rails.
    • Failing to shorten stirrups for jumping leads to an insecure leg position and reduced stability over fences.
    • Assuming a calm horse is automatically safe to hack alone without properly preparing it for traffic or spooky objects.
    • Riders may forget to check for signs of discomfort or lameness after exercise, missing early signs of injury.
    • Misconception: Horses can be fed solely on grass or hay without additional supplements. Correction: While forage is the foundation, many horses require concentrates or supplements to meet energy, protein, vitamin, and mineral needs, especially during work or growth.
    • Misconception: A horse's age can be accurately determined by its teeth alone. Correction: Dental wear gives an approximate age, but factors like diet and management can affect wear patterns, making precise aging difficult.
    • Misconception: All lameness originates in the foot. Correction: Lameness can stem from joints, tendons, ligaments, or bones in any limb; a thorough veterinary examination is needed to pinpoint the cause.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Level 2 Diploma in Horse Care or equivalent knowledge of basic stable routines and horse handling.
    • •Basic understanding of animal biology, such as cell structure and organ systems, from GCSE Science.
    • •Numeracy and literacy skills sufficient to interpret feed labels and write care plans.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Flatwork fundamentals
    • Gymnastic jumping progression
    • Fence negotiation
    • Hacking and road safety
    • Rider biomechanics
    • School riding and flatwork
    • Gymnastic jumping exercises
    • Riding over fences and course jumping
    • Road safety and hacking
    • Rider position and balance
    • Horse fitness and conditioning
    • Flatwork and school riding
    • Gymnastic jumping exercises
    • Fence work and course riding
    • Road safety and hacking
    • Rider position and effective aids
    • Horse fitness and exercise planning
    • Be able to ride a trained horse in the school, Be able to ride gymnastic jumping, Be able to ride a trained horse over fences, Be able to ride a quiet horse on the road and in the open
    • School riding fundamentals
    • Gymnastic jumping exercises
    • Cross-country and hacking safety
    • Horse fitness and conditioning
    • Risk assessment and legal compliance

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