Bhs stage 1 exam (books)

[naza]

Hi all, have my stage 1 booked for September, could anyone please advise as to which are the best books to get to help with revision as there are so so many out there am hoping that I only need 1 workbook and 1 revision book for example.
also for your stage 1 did others do a mock day for this or would it be okay not doing one for the stage 1?
Thanks

 

[iaej]

Hi naza,

I did mine in the past 12 months. I personally found the workbook to be a waste of time as the questions didn't really match the syllabus for the Stage 1. If you read the syllabus along with the book, the sorts of questions you will be asked/skills you will have to demonstrate are pretty evident and you can then work it out for yourself without having to buy the book.

I bought the Stage 1 book only but if you have the intention of taking the later Stages, it may be worth buying the book encompassing Stages 1 - 3(I think it covers these). I wish I had done this as I plan to take my Stage 2.

I did a 2 hour/6 week course at my riding school. We did one hour group riding under exam conditions/guidelines and one hour practical. I did the course as I had very little experience with horses in the first place - let alone to BHS standards. The two others on the course were the total opposite however and had years of experience but wanted to learn things the proper BHS way in order to pass the exam.

I would definitely do another course for the Stage 2 as I feel that best prepares you for BHS standards even if you do not use them in practice once you have passed.

 

[Holding]

I did mine today. 😊 I have the workbook, the official course book and I also made use of my ancient Pony Club manual. I really wouldn't worry too much about getting loads of books - I learned everything by rote, made flash cards, memorised figures etc. and we only discussed everything in such general terms that I wish I hadn't bothered! I would definitely recommend doing a mock if possible though, or at least spending a day at the exam centre doing some stable management and riding some of the exam horses. My main tip would be that in the stable management, you must always think and talk about safety first. I was asked about the suitability of the saddle for a horse and I started going into fitting a saddle when all she wanted me to say was that you would check the stitching/wear and tear on stirrup and girth straps.