BHS approved yards?

P

Puzzley

Member
Joined
7 January 2015
Messages
17
Visit site
How do yards actually get rated for this? On the BHS website there is a document with the criteria the yard needs to meet to be approved, commended or highly commended and it says that yearly inspections are carried out.

The reason for asking is I have just moved from a horrible yard that was BHS approved and awarded HC for many categories. Yet I can say from experience that the yard does not meet the criteria listed. This is quite obvious things as well such as the arena size, state of the toilet and lack of record keeping (although there were many more serious issues which is why I left). Is that document therefore just a guideline and if the inspector thinks the place looks good its awarded HC?

I guess I expected a place that was BHS approved to have high standards and quality of care and I am thoroughly disappointed. Has anyone else been disappointed with a BHS approved yard?
 
I'm on a bhs approved yard and couldn't ask for better. Everything is as I would expect a bhs approved yard to be. From what I understand there are guidelines in place that the yards have to meet and that they are inspected both announced and unannounced.
 
The BHS Approval scheme is a voluntary scheme that requires Approved Establishments to achieve and maintain continuously high standards of horse care, instruction and customer service. It's something we take very seriously and we're always concerned to hear of any bad experience.

Inspections are conducted every year and all are unannounced so the inspector can view the establishment as a normal working environment. No prior notice is given.

Being BHS Approved offers the Proprietor reassurance of knowing that they’re part one of the world’s largest networks of equestrian establishments and among other benefits, gives them access to expert advice and support.

The BHS Approvals team has a procedure in place where members of the public and clients can, in total confidence, send complaints. Any complaints are dealt with confidentially and Inspectors only receive the content of the complaint itself for investigation.

If anyone wants to check the current status of a yard, the full list is available at http://www.bhs.org.uk/enjoy-riding/find-a-place-to-ride. The Professionals section of our website gives more information on what Approval involves and means.

If you’d like more information about the scheme, or want to send us your comments and feedback directly, we'd be very appreciative of your thoughts - feedback is important in helping both us and centres improve. Please do email the team at approvals@bhs.org.uk or call them for a chat on 02476 840509.
 
The BHS approvals is a bit of a joke I'm sorry to say. A local yard to me most certainly did know when the BHS were visiting because there was a mass clean up done beforehand. It is a truly terrible place with many liveries left without water for hours/sometimes all day in filthy stables with no hay either. How it passes I don't know. OP it is worth reporting however as I visited another yard to teach which had (non existent) barbwire fencing - most of it rotted away and lots of other issues. I reported them and had a good response. The yard lost its approval not long after and I don't think has re-applied since. It's really a shame as I work on a BHS where to train yard and the standards really are the highest.
 
Hetsmum, it's good to hear the yard you're working at really exemplifies the standards we expect Approved Centres to maintain. We hope you're enjoying working there.

Regarding the first yard you mention - this is highly concerning. We understand you reported the second but aren't clear if you've spoken to us about the first. We'd really appreciate it if you could; please get in touch on 02476 840509 or approvals@bhs.org.uk. As you're aware, any concerns are treated seriously and in strict confidence; it's not in anyone's interests - the horses' the centre's, clients' or ours - to have things run any other way.
 
BHS_official said:
Hetsmum, it's good to hear the yard you're working at really exemplifies the standards we expect Approved Centres to maintain. We hope you're enjoying working there.

Regarding the first yard you mention - this is highly concerning. We understand you reported the second but aren't clear if you've spoken to us about the first. We'd really appreciate it if you could; please get in touch on 02476 840509 or approvals@bhs.org.uk. As you're aware, any concerns are treated seriously and in strict confidence; it's not in anyone's interests - the horses' the centre's, clients' or ours - to have things run any other way.
Click to expand...

BHS - I have just sent you a report on the first yard but still don't understand how it passes in the first place? It is an approved Riding School and Livery Yard. A system where you rely on complaints against a Riding School is not going to work as most members of the public wouldn't know if what they see is ok or not in an educational establishment. Approvals should have random visits. The wonderful yard I work at has its approval redone on an exam day when of course everything looks great - it received Highly Commended in very category. It's just lucky for you it normally looks pretty much the same all year round. I love working there as I know the horses are very happy and extremely well cared for. I do think the approvals procedure needs re-looking at.
 
Thanks for your feedback; we do appreciate it.

From what you've just said, the root of this particular surface issue seems to be alleged awareness of inspections. As said, inspections are conducted every year and all are unannounced so the inspector can view the establishment as a normal working environment. No prior notice is given; the visits are random so if preparation is indeed somehow occurring, we need to be aware that this is happening so any issue can be rectified. We'll forward your post on to the Approvals team and ask them to look at your comments in conjunction with your report.

We'd also like to reassure that issues like this are thankfully very few and far between. A significant amount of work has gone into - and continues to go into - making sure Approved Centres uphold the standards needed to gain Approval and clients can have confidence in what using an Approved Centre means for them. We don't rely on reports to investigate any possible issues as like you say, that would be unworkable and would be detrimental to to the entire Approvals Scheme. However, for any instances where issues may arise between inspections, client feedback is one important extra means of helping both us and Centres keep on top of standards.
 
Thanks everyone, I will definitely be making a complaint to the BHS. The yards does still have approval status, the current award is hanging up, and they are listed on the BHS website. I just don't understand how they can be awarded HC for the arena for example, when there is no seated or covered viewing area, jump store with easy access to arena or an outdoor arena minimum size 20m x 60m which is the criteria listed on the BHS website. That's not something that can be covered up before the inspector arrives???
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top