I did all four of them, a few years ago, at evening class one night a week. I really thoroughly enjoyed the classes.
The first one is very basic, the second one more interesting, the third one is quite advanced and the fourth one goes into lots of fascinating detail about everything from equine physiological systems to grass analysis.
I made lots of friends, had a great laugh, learnt a whole lot which has helped me look after my horse better, and I can really recommend these classes to anyone!
I'd recommend both! Did Stage 1 a while ago and now doing HOCs as well. Aiming to do Stage 2 one day and the certificates are going to have been great preparation for the theory sections... Go for it, good luck with whichever you do!
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Nanny-Ogg - I started a second degree when I was 32! Go for it
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A second degree? Are you insane woman ?
I'm only 27 and not worried about being "past it " at all,just not confident to jump into the stages for some reason.
Was hoping something gentle like the horse owners would give me that confidence boost thats needed
I keep hearing people here saying "your only as old as the man you hold" so hug my 4 year old son a lot
Well...it's about my mental age most of the time anyway
Thanks guys,think I will go for them.
Phoned a center that runs them and got the normal sales pitch so wanted ot hear what people who had done them thought before making a decision.
I teach horse owner's certs and train people for stages, and it's quite common for people to find their feet with the HOCs and then go on to the stages. It's also cheaper!
And there is far less pressure doing a certificate than doing a whole professional exam.
The HOCs are quite detailed as you move on up, and a lot of people find them really very useful and learn a lot from them.
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[ QUOTE ]
Nanny-Ogg - I started a second degree when I was 32! Go for it
[/ QUOTE ]
A second degree? Are you insane woman ?
I'm only 27 and not worried about being "past it " at all,just not confident to jump into the stages for some reason.
Was hoping something gentle like the horse owners would give me that confidence boost thats needed
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Go for it the certificate I shouldn't imagine will be any different except there's no written work on your BHs 1 & 2 it's theory (verbal) and practical go on. Alot of the BHS approved riding schools do evening courses as well although I went to Brackenhurst it was great.
I did my HOC 2, and found the course really useful, because we had lots of hands-on practical bits, like poulticing a horse that doesn't want to be poulticed (
), and correct fitting of items of tack that I've never needed to use (but might some day). The exam was much simpler than the details of the course. I think it's a really good initiative on the part of the BHS to encourage education for horse owners.