Equine Care and Management 1

Lingfield’s flagship Equine Care & Management 1 course is widely regarded as one of the most detailed and comprehensive horse care courses available at this level in the UK. Designed especially for private horse owners, leisure riders, livery yard staff, and career changers, it offers a practical, real-world approach to equine education. Unlike classroom-based courses designed for supervised students, this course prepares learners to care for horses independently, with confidence and clarity. It covers the complete BHS Stage 1 syllabus, and includes elements of BHS Stages 2 and 3.

Who is it for?

• Horse owners managing their own horses
• Adults preparing for a career in equine care or management
• Livery yard staff and freelance grooms
• Anyone seeking in-depth, flexible, supported learning with no deadlines

Course Content – Syllabus in Depth

The syllabus has been developed to mirror the real responsibilities of horse owners and carers. It includes core principles as well as intermediate-level topics that often appear later in formal training. A broad sample of what’s covered:

Stable Management & Horse Care

• Care of the stabled horse and grass-kept horse
• Bedding types, stable routines, and paddock maintenance
• Grooming: techniques, strapping, quartering
• Rugging and fitting, including types of rugs and usage
• Feeding rules, types of feed, cereals, straights, haylage and storage
• Tack and saddle fitting, martingales and nosebands
• Cleaning and maintenance of equipment
• Bit types, their uses, and how to fit them correctly

Health & Welfare

• Points of the horse, colours, markings, breeds and types
• Monitoring health: vital signs, behaviour, signs of illness
• Equine psychology and behavioural management
• First Aid, knowing what’s “normal,” and recognising issues early
• Minor injuries and modern treatments
• Vet relationships and when to call the vet
• Worming strategies and lab testing explained (includes 3-year worming plan)
• Farriery: the importance of regular care and identifying hoof issues

Safety & Legislation

• Health & Safety in the stable, yard, and while handling
• Road safety and preparation for hacking out
• Towing and trailer knowledge basics
• Equine passports and legal responsibilities
• Choosing a livery yard and understanding sample livery contracts

Buying & Ownership

Guidance on buying a horse or pony: first and second-time buyers

• Budgeting for care, facilities, and professional services
• Building a support network when managing horses independently

Student Experience

This flexible, in-depth course offers real-world equine care training tailored for adult learners and busy horse owners, with no fixed deadlines and personalised one-to-one tutor support. Covering everything from behaviour and feeding to tack fitting, vet care, and road safety, it goes far beyond typical college-level content—earning high praise from students for its practicality, depth, and confidence-building approach.

Career Options

This course covers all BHS Stage 1 content, providing a solid foundation in equine care and management, for those looking to start their BHS exams.