Are you or have you ever been a BHS member? Why – or why not?

BHS_official said:
Twinkley Lights - do you mind us asking which area you're in? BHS local activity - and how visible this is! - is something we're working hard to promote and develop this year. We try to offer a range of activities including clinics, lectures, demos, safety days, discounted tuition, competitions, visits to places of interest and even fundraising quiz nights!

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I'm north notts south yorks borders so not really close to Lincs, Notts or Yorks areas. I used to recieve a newsletter in Rutland now only the mag.
 
I was a member for the insurance (sharer, so wasn't covered on any other policy) I let it lapse as I hadn't got the £60/70 to rejoin, then found out I could pay monthly so I have rejoined :)

xx
 
I have been a member for 15-20 years for the PL insurance, although i am starting to think about having a look around for that as i have seen it cheaper else where. I recieve the mag but i haven;t had a local newsletter for a couple of years now so i don't kow what is going off locally to me, although most things are too far away from me to attend them if i remember right as i live on the Notts/lincs and South yorks border and everything was around Nottingham.
I would like to see some advertising to drivers about how horses can behave on the roads and that they can be unpredictable.
 
Rowreach, fire away! Feel free to PM.

Rhandir, that's an interesting point about disciplines, specifically Western. Thanks for this feedback. What would you like to see in particular, e.g. magazine features?

Maesfen, we're sorry and concerned to hear about your access experience. Did you speak to anyone at HQ about it? It would be hugely helpful if you could forward details to arow@bhs.org.uk. It's feedback that helps us improve.

The issue of geography and communication near borders can be difficult but something we'd like to address. It's a small step so far but the revamped website goes some way to addressing this with searching for news and events near a postcode or place instead of within defined county or regional boundaries. More and more local events and news are being added as we go and this will only get better!

On the subject of sharing the roads safely, have you seen our info section on www.horseaccidents.org.uk? We have a large and growing number of resources and affiliations with motoring and other organisations dedicated to promoting responsible and safe sharing of rights of way. There are posters, leaflets and video available for sharing and distribution locally aimed at educating non-equestrians about looking at things from a horse's perspective. Has anyone made use of these? Let us know.

The site is also a facility for reporting any equestrian safety incident or near-miss. There's a huge range of categories (if you want to suggest more - do!). The data collected is absolutely crucial for helping us lobby and campaign for safer conditions for horses and riders. If you haven't seen it before, take a look and post your thoughts here!
 
Personally no, I've never joined but I wouldn't not if you get what I mean... Just never felt it necessary.


I've wanted for such a long time to run an awareness day down in Cornwall, where people can bring their horses, tack horse boxes and get them stamped or chipped, have police giving talks on protection from theft, a vet or two running first aid and worming talks... A nutritionalist... Just general education and awareness days... This is the kind of work that I think the BHS should be doing, getting out there and running events that equip riders and owners with skills and awareness etc. I looked into a first aid day and there was nothing local... It was expensive and miles away... It's fab that the bhs are upping the game on their website info, I find the site helpful and informative, but I think they should become more *cant think of the word* and less of a number to dial or a site to look up. That would make me want to get involved with them
 
I've been a member since the 1980s, originally to compete and take exams. As I paid by direct debit it has just continued and was converted to gold membership.

I use that for PL. generally leaf through the magazine and recycle. There never seems to be a particular focus. I think we have a fairly active local group, but I have never got involved as it seems mostly pleasure rides, which do not appeal to me.
 
Mmm ... my position is little unusual. I became a member in 1980 when I came over to do BHS exams. I stayed a member and in 1998 started work for the BHS as a full time senior staff member at Stoneleigh (Head of Public Affairs.) It was not that long after Hywel Davies started as Chief Executive - and made a number of very senior staff members redundant - as a cost cutting exercise! Staff morale was pretty low - but there were some very good people working there - particularly in Access, Welfare, Riding Clubs and PR. TREC was getting going, and with the Hunter Trials, and the Welfare Centre, BHS WAS pretty visible to anyone with an interest in horses. Less than 3 years later, it was a shambles again and HD fell on his sword in an involuntary manner and I ended up as Acting CE for 8 months, with a HUGE projected deficit to deal with - and managed to do so without making anyone redundant! But I let my membership lapse after the new CE was appointed - for various reasons that aren't particularly relevent to this thread. Since then, I've thought - on a number of occasions - that I SHOULD rejoin because I believe in what the BHS does (or SHOULD be doing!).

However, now I won't! After last week's news that a new CE is making loyal, long-serving staff members redundant yet again - and with NO evidence that it was a financial necessity (as FIVE new jobs - on hefty salaries - have been advertised to 'replace' the 3 people who were made redundant!!!) that's it! The job adverts makes the BHS sound exactly like the HUGE multi-national company my husband is currently working for - run by accountants - only interested in profits and NOT interested in people (be they members or employees! :rolleyes:)

It appears to me that over the past 10 years, BHS has moved further and further away from being a membership-driven horse 'welfare' (in broad terms) organisation. There is still some good work being done by some of the departments at Stoneleigh - particularly Welfare and Access - and in areas where volunteers haven't given up - but most of it is pretty invisible! For example, there have been enormous opportunities over the past 6 months for a welfare organisation to campaign - and lobby Government - on the MESS that has led to the horse meat scandal - and all the events leading up to it - but the BHS has been pretty invisible there!

Reading the job descriptions for the new management level jobs, makes me wonder what the hell the BHS is going to BE in 5 years time. What IS "The British Horse Society’s vision, mission and strategy."

The BHS qualifications have dropped further in the industry's eyes - and I've employed at least 3 BHSAI's in the past 5 years - none of them had a clue and their stay with me was short-lived: now, if a potential staff member is a BHSAI, it ISN'T an 'attractive' part of their CV where I'm concerned.

The 'new' BHS web site IS an improvment on the one it replaced - but one thing I noticed. WHERE is the BHS bookshop online? Now I happen to KNOW the url - because I registered it - AND spent the Christmas break in - mmm - must have been 1998 - setting it up! But on the home page of the BHS site, there is only the teensiest link which you've got to look for - although there are some nice flashy adverts for other businesses!

I could go on (and on.) Maybe I'm totally wrong - but if I am - then the BHS needs to take a good, hard look at its PR - and what potential members can see!!
 
The BHS lost the plot when it let the disciplines go their own way and the inability then to have created a single national equine organisation which would have the support to challange government decisions with highly paid PR people.. It would be helpful to know why all the people over the years seem to have gone with little explanation from the BHS from your HR Department what happened to Sean Hogan the DEFRA man in charge of the Horse Passport Team at one time?
 
Not been a member for about 28 years now as I am living in New Zealand. I joined to do my exams and to compete showjumping and eventing - shows how long ago I was a member!

Also enjoyed the fact that me and horse were insured third party.
 
I don't think there is any problem with organisations evolving as long as they are improving, and it's perfectly common to have organisational shakeups (as you know yourself Janet!). Administratively the BHS is a mess, and needs to sort this out at all levels before it can move forward and cater for the new breed of member it now has, and hopes to attract.

On specifics, I will put my brave pants on and put them in a pm
 
I joined for a year maybe about nine years ago now but didn't renew as felt I got nothing out of my membership for the year. I have other insurance & legal cover etc.... included with my other equine policies which would have been the only other incentive to me.

Do I really want a car sticker and a membership card for my money and a magazine that I won't read six times a year, special offers that are not local to me, I am not interested in the BHS exams as horses are my hobby or having free expert advice on equestrian matters - would rather get advice from someone who I know personally and trust. Not interested in the helpline for legal, VAT and tax affairs - would rather get more specific advice from my accountant?

That leaves not a lot apart from:
Local committees dedicated to organising events in your area and campaigning on local issues important to me

I have taken part if a BHS fund raising ride for Grass Sickness a fwe years ago and did that as a non member so what would joining BHS as a gold member do for me which I don't get already being a BRC member?

Am I missing the point entirely?
 
Also, just have to add, being taught in the "BHS" way is not a good thing... And BHS "riders" stick out like a sore thumb.

The quality is appalling and very out of date.
 
I am BHS Gold member and have been for many years.

I wish that BHS would do more about helping getting bridleways sorted liaising with local councils and getting loop rides. To many bridleways end in the middle of nowhere or main roads or one around here not only ends on a A road but with double locked gates. Been in touch with number of local councils and nothing is done.
 
tallyho! said:
Also, just have to add, being taught in the "BHS" way is not a good thing... And BHS "riders" stick out like a sore thumb.

The quality is appalling and very out of date.
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What a load of crap - I teach the BHS way and have riders compete for NZ - 2 pass A cert with honours and produced many excellent riders. BHS teaching is based on the classical teachings of the Spanish Riding School - maybe those you have seen did NOT teach their riders the BHS way and that is why they stick out like sore thumbs
 
Tnavas said:
What a load of crap - I teach the BHS way and have riders compete for NZ - 2 pass A cert with honours and produced many excellent riders. BHS teaching is based on the classical teachings of the Spanish Riding School - maybe those you have seen did NOT teach their riders the BHS way and that is why they stick out like sore thumbs
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Ive been taught by some good BHS instructors, but have also been taught by Sylvia Loch and other excellent classical instructors there was a massive difference in the teaching, the BHS way i have seen and experienced was not like their classical teaching, i loved the classical way, i believe Patrick Print met with Sylvia a few years back to try to bring more of the classical teaching into the BHS manner of teaching and asked for the Classical Riding Club to become affiliated with the BHS, which i do believe it has
 
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BHS_official said:
Thanks again for your responses and feedback. It’s great to hear benefits such as public liability and personal accident insurance, and the legal helpline available to Gold members, are so valued.

But what about the rest of our work – how would you rate your knowledge of what we do for access, safety, welfare and training? Have you ever been involved with the BHS in your local area?

Dry Rot – we’re sorry you had problems with the legal helpline; it’s by no means not a representative experience but that doesn’t make it any better. We hope we got to hear about it at the time (if we didn’t, please email membership@bhs.org.uk or PM details here and we’ll pass them on). What contact do you get from us now – do you receive the magazine, local newsletter, E-News? Have you seen us at any local shows?

Ailbheg – no time like the present ;) Our site should have all the information you need to get started – but if you do have any questions, we’re on the end of exams@bhs.org.uk or 02476 840508.

mcrobbiena – thanks for your thoughts. We do sometimes have training events using ‘guinea pig’ riders. Are you a member of a local riding club?

Don’t forget that membership offers a multitude of benefits – both for you and for horses around the UK. There’s insurance; legal/VAT/tax advice; our exclusive magazine with expert advice, features and diary dates; member goodies such as competitions, discounts, car stickers and badges; local committees and events in your area, dedicated teams campaigning on your behalf for safety and access (and supplying any info you need on these); world-class training and qualifications for every level of rider and owner; and over 200 welfare officers ready to assist with any concerns you have about a horse or pony.

On a side note, our team have arrived at Badminton today and there’s a real buzz both there and at HQ! We’re at stand 103 – pop down and say hello if you’re going; we’re looking forward to meeting plenty more people in person, too!
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I was going to reply to this privately but changed my mind!

First, my failed attempt to contact the legal helpline was reported to BHS but I got no reply from that quarter either. That followed an early contact where I had to jump through hoops backwards to get to speak to a solicitor, which I did eventually.

But, far more serious in my opinion, I've just heard where a BHS welfare official has raised objections to a centre getting a renewal of a trekking licence. (Is it an annual licence or planning permission renewal? Don't know, don't care).

I am sure it is coincidental that the BHS official runs her own trekking centre. More to the point, I have now heard of another person who applied for such a licence/permission and was refused.

By another strange coincidence, the same BHS official has started up an extension to her own trekking business (10 miles away from her home base and on different premises) and the council have apparently said she doesn't need planning and need not apply!

As I am not personally involved with either case, further comment would be inappropriate -- but where an organisation is taking money from the public, it needs to supply the services it claims to provide and be seen to be squeaky clean in all of it's activities.
 
Gold member for many years for the PL insurance (thanks largely to riding many other people's horses and not always trusting them to have the appropriate cover).

I get the magazine but no local newsletter, events have always happened by the time I hear about them and I would like to know more about some elements of the BHS's work, especially welfare and access, but haven't been on to the website for several years.

However, I do think the organisation has a huge remit - everything from lobbying to recording accidents and from sorting access to pleasure rides - and doesn't "shout" enough about what it does.

I, too, disliked the "hit your brakes" campaign but would like to see more awareness raising done with the general public, not just on road safety but, for example, on equestrian sport for spectators. The more engagement from the general public, the more they are likely to consider, or even sympathise with, the needs of horses and riders.

And, as shown by many posts on this forum, many riders also need education in road safety and dealing with other issues they may encounter when out and about. Some will have done a Road Safety test at some point but there are many, many others who have not and really don't know where they stand. On our yard there is an endless debate about whether to ride single file or two abreast for example.

As a result of this post, I have just visited the website...
 
moleskinsmum said:
And, as shown by many posts on this forum, many riders also need education in road safety and dealing with other issues they may encounter when out and about. Some will have done a Road Safety test at some point but there are many, many others who have not and really don't know where they stand. On our yard there is an endless debate about whether to ride single file or two abreast for example.
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I'm a BHS RRS trainer, but as well as training a lot of people (mainly children to older teens) for the exam, I also go to yards to give training sessions to riders (adults and children) who have no intention of taking the exam, but just want to be safer on the roads. It might be an idea for you to find a local RRS trainer and get them over for half a day (works out very cheap if there are a few of you) :)
 
Rowreach said:
I'm a BHS RRS trainer, but as well as training a lot of people (mainly children to older teens) for the exam, I also go to yards to give training sessions to riders (adults and children) who have no intention of taking the exam, but just want to be safer on the roads. It might be an idea for you to find a local RRS trainer and get them over for half a day (works out very cheap if there are a few of you) :)
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Thanks Rowreach - I wasn't aware that was an option but will now spread the word, both on our yard and others. This is just the type of thing that needs more publicity ;)
 
moleskinsmum said:
Thanks Rowreach - I wasn't aware that was an option but will now spread the word, both on our yard and others. This is just the type of thing that needs more publicity ;)
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No prob :) If you look on the BHS website under find an instructor, the ones with the RRS qualification should have it next to their details.
 
Tnavas said:
What a load of crap - I teach the BHS way and have riders compete for NZ - 2 pass A cert with honours and produced many excellent riders. BHS teaching is based on the classical teachings of the Spanish Riding School - maybe those you have seen did NOT teach their riders the BHS way and that is why they stick out like sore thumbs
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No it is most certainly NOT based on classical teachings! Not anywhere I have ever been to in my youth...

I had to look for myself to find the real McCoy.

Your reply goes to show how inconsistent the method really is.
 
tallyho! said:
No it is most certainly NOT based on classical teachings! Not anywhere I have ever been to in my youth...

I had to look for myself to find the real McCoy.

Your reply goes to show how inconsistent the method really is.
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Don't know where you've been but all the centres I've trained and worked at have been BHS and have all taught the classical methods - maybe the instructors you've had 'do their own thing', aren't actually qualified, or are just very poor instructors.

Quote from the book 'BHS Equitation, Training of Rider and Horse to Advanced Levels' which is my bible.
"The British Horse Society's Equitation is based on the classical lines first written about by Xenophon (430-354 BC), maintained by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and now ammended for competition by the Federation Equestre Internationale."

Sadly the unscrupulous instructor will take and pass the exam and then go away and teach how they want to and also how the client wants! The number of times I have said goodbye to clients who just want me to tell them how wonderful they are, want me to use gadgets and force to train their horse or who actually really don't want to learn.

Here in NZ - we have a floundering teaching exam system where few people are interested in taking them - the BHS have done so much for the equestrian world that you don't actually know how lucky you are.
 
Tnavas said:
Don't know where you've been but all the centres I've trained and worked at have been BHS and have all taught the classical methods - maybe the instructors you've had 'do their own thing', aren't actually qualified, or are just very poor instructors.

Quote from the book 'BHS Equitation, Training of Rider and Horse to Advanced Levels' which is my bible.
"The British Horse Society's Equitation is based on the classical lines first written about by Xenophon (430-354 BC), maintained by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and now ammended for competition by the Federation Equestre Internationale."

Sadly the unscrupulous instructor will take and pass the exam and then go away and teach how they want to and also how the client wants! The number of times I have said goodbye to clients who just want me to tell them how wonderful they are, want me to use gadgets and force to train their horse or who actually really don't want to learn.

Here in NZ - we have a floundering teaching exam system where few people are interested in taking them - the BHS have done so much for the equestrian world that you don't actually know how lucky you are.
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Just because someone doesnt hold a BHS qualification doesnt mean they arent good teachers, to heap anyone who doesnt hold a "qualification" in the rubbish teachers pile is wrong, one of the best classical teachers ive had was on the classical riding club register of trainers, and she left the BHS system because she didnt like the way things were being taught, she is one of the finest teachers ive known, extremely good at her job, and confident enough in her ability to walk away from a system that wasnt meeting her needs both as a student and educator, she is still one of the first people i would look to for advice in training and riding
 
Marydoll said:
Just because someone doesnt hold a BHS qualification doesnt mean they arent good teachers, to heap anyone who doesnt hold a "qualification" in the rubbish teachers pile is wrong, one of the best classical teachers ive had was on the classical riding club register of trainers, and she left the BHS system because she didnt like the way things were being taught, she is one of the finest teachers ive known, extremely good at her job, and confident enough in her ability to walk away from a system that wasnt meeting her needs both as a student and educator, she is still one of the first people i would look to for advice in training and riding
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I don't think I said anywhere that a non qualified instructor should be on the rubbish pile - I was defending the BHS teaching system which I have followed for over 40 years - successfully.

In any subject you have good and bad coaches/trainers/teachers but it doesn't mean the exam system itself is at fault. Once the candidate has left the exam situation they will teach how and what they believe in.

When I first learnt to ride I wasn't aware that there were BHS approved schools - when I finally went to one I discovered I had been badly tauhgt for the past few years and had to relearn just about everything.

When there is no governing body there will be those that will abuse the customer by providing poor instruction. I've had lessons from people that have just said "well done, good, great", when I know that my horse is not going well and these people have a big following but no real improvement. I don't go back to these type of instructors!

One thing that I was exceedingly strict about when I had my riding school - I chose BHS qualified instructors (which was quite hard in NZ) above unqualified as to me it showed a desire on the instructors part to study, improve and thus provide quality instruction. The one time I chose a NZ qualified coach I found her teaching her riders a dressage salute on their second lesson, they couldn't even steer at this point - she was not asked back again.

My BHS instructors were capable of taking a class, being in control, giving the riders a progressive lesson where they improved and learnt something new each lesson.
 
Was a gold member for many years and the rights of way team where very helpful, but canceled my membership when the BHS did not fight the horse passport system. I would Like to see the BHS stand up for horse riders and be more vocal against bad government law.
 
I have been a gold member for maybe 20 years. I originally joined mostly for the insurance, but I am increasingly aware of the need for an organisation that will speak on behalf of the horse community, do a decent job of representing our needs and wishes and be taken seriously.

I actually like the magazine - it's improved immensely since I've been a member. I do the occasional BHS fun ride and order from the bookshop sometimes.

In my opinion we need an organisation like the BHS.
 
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