Horse Care Level 2

Please ensure your application includes correct contact information e.g. mobile number and personal email address.

You can apply for up to two courses (except A Level subjects where you must select a minimum of three).

You will only be invited to book an interview for your 1st choice course initially.

If you’re ready to take your passion for horses to the next level, the Level 2 Diploma in Work-Based Horse Care is a fantastic opportunity to build your skills and knowledge for a career in the equine industry. Developed by the British Horse Society (BHS) and leading employers, this course prepares you to work with horses under limited supervision, in both professional and practical settings.

You will explore a range of units that help you:

• Maintain clean and safe stables and paddocks
• Feed horses and monitor their health and wellbeing
• Handle horses confidently and safely
• Understand horse behaviour, welfare, and routine care

You will take part in practical sessions in our equine facilities, where you’ll be involved in daily yard duties such as mucking out, grooming, exercising horses, and maintaining equipment. Classroom-based lessons will support your understanding of the theory behind horse care and management.

As part of the course, you will follow one of two specialist pathways:

• Groom Pathway – Focuses on developing your skills in stable management, horse care, and yard duties. Ideal if you’re aiming to work in livery yards, riding schools, or as a professional groom.
• Riding Pathway – Includes flatwork and jumping, helping you improve your riding technique and confidence in the saddle. This pathway is perfect if you’re looking to combine horse care with riding experience and progress toward riding qualifications.

Your programme of study includes: The BHSQ Level 2 Diploma in Work-Based Horse Care, Functional Skills or GCSE English and Maths (depending on your previous qualifications), work experience placements and weekend duties to build your confidence and employability.

Assessment is carried out through continuous assessment at your work experience placement, our equine centre and in the classroom. You will produce a portfolio of evidence that includes your own work, as well as observation forms signed off by your assessors.

You will need to complete 150 hours of work experience to ensure you develop sufficient practical skills for this qualification.

• Achieve four GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including English language, science and maths.
• Completion of a taster day
• Entry onto the Riding Pathway will require successful completion of a riding assessment. As a guide, your riding ability should be close to the British Horse Society (BHS) Stage 1 Ride Standard. For details please click the following link: https://www.bhs.org.uk/media/pyolvz4i/stage-1-ride-qualification-structure-09-09-19.pdf

To ensure the welfare of our horses, there is a personal weight restriction of 85 kg for students on the Riding Pathway.

Non-riding options are available by taking the Groom Pathway.

Upon successful completion and achieving your English and Maths GCSEs at grade 4 or above, you could progress to Level 3 Extended Diploma in Equine Management.

If you need to continue with either English or Maths, you could study the Level 3 Certificate in Equine Management.

Where Your Course Can Take You :-

You could consider a career working as a Yard Groom, Trekking Assistant, Stud Hand or Equine Retail Assistant.