nikkitodhunter
Well-Known Member
When I was prepping for my BHS stage 1 I found a few threads on here where people had written up their experiences and found them really helpful, so I thought I'd do the same.
I did the full exam last November at Bold Heath Equestrian Centre, I got distinction in the care modules but have just retaken the riding module (I'll update with my result asap!).
Read on if you're interested! It'll be long, but hopefully useful.
Preparation:
I'll be brutally honest - I'm bad at revision! I'm in my final year of uni so I neglected a lot of the theory until the last minute and ended up cramming on the train home to take the exam (I still have to consult a chart to know weight to feed ratios etc., never learned that off by heart). Luckily I helped at a yard as a kid and owned my own pony for many years, so the practical & common sense aspects came pretty easily - I knew the points, colours, tack and so on from being a horse-obsessed kid. My main tip here would be - don't wing it like I did! I'll get on to how you can make up for weaknesses in knowledge, but honestly I feel bad for having done so myself, as it means I didn't get the full learning experience out of these aspects of the exam that I could have done (and I have more work to do when aiming for stage 2) and I do regret that.
Unless you have very little practical experience around horses, for stage 1 I don't think the courses offered by some riding stables are necessary - the practical module covers things you should pretty much be familiar with if you have been around horses at a riding school (if not, just get there early and help out after, they'll appreciate the help probably and you'll learn the grooming & tacking up). I already had the BHS Stable Management Manual from when I'd owned a horse, so that helped me revise. This is a good investment - I suspect the stage 1 specific book is useful, but I didn't want to spend any more money than I had to. Unless you really want to splash the cash I doubt you need the whole specified reading list! I also found youtube videos really, really helpful - whack anything that you're not sure of in there and you're sure to find soemhting, e.g. the way to adjust the stirrups or do a tail bandage. Just try and check the way you're learning is 'accepted' - it is a great tool for visual learners like myself, though.
Also, while I don't think there's as much importance placed in 'the BHS Way' that some people mention, there are certain things you should know - the list of the rules of feeding & watering, for example, or the slightly more old-fashioned things such as wisps that are still on the syllabus. (One girl in my group had very clearly never looked at a book published by the BHS and it really showed.)
I'll probably mention other things about prep later, but let's move on!
On the day:
I was very worried about the dress code as I've never shown and, being a student, couldn't really splash out for a new outfit. However, a couple of more experienced horsepeople advised me that for the stage 1 exam the dress code is much more relaxed. While most people in my group were in the standard - showing jacket, long boots or leather gaiters, etc - I ended up in an M&S shirt, navy v-neck jumper, black jods and just black polished-up jod boots, no gaiters - oh, and my dad's tie (not to mention thermal layers underneath for warmth)! I can't speak for all centres, but having been to this one twice now with different people each time, none of the assessors batted an eyelid - at the end of the day, I was smartly turned out (and in my opinion in much more practical gear fr the majority of the day, after all only 1 module is riding!) in accordance with the minimum dress code for the stage 1, so don't stress if you haven't got a fancy showing jacket. In fact, while it says boots must be worn the whole day, the assessors told several girls they would change into wellies for the practical sections, so I wish I'd brought mine. (Tip: if you go this route, and buy a cheap non-equestrian-specific shirt, maybe go a size larger than usual - the first one I got was far too fitted to ride in, so thank goodness I gave myself time to exchange it for a more suitable one. Under a jumper you can't see the poor fit really.)
The assesors were all fine - I found the gentleman who took the practical oral module very encouraging and forgiving, some were a little more standoffish but it seemed like professional detachment rather than rudeness. The riding assessor on my second attempt at that module was very welcoming and understanding. When interacting with them, I'd say be forthcoming with info that you know - but don't be tempted to show off too much beyond the syllabus if you know it, as my riding instructor warned me that they can often drill you a bit of you do this with tricky questions, so you're only making life harder! That said, don't feel self-conscious if you talk a lot, and speak up if you know something, even if they don't ask you - on the grooming section, my horse had been tied with a granny knot rather than quick-release, so as the instructor was walking past I pointed out to her that I'd fixed this. I felt like such a bloody know-it-all, but they like it if you point it out to them, as it shows you know your stuff and you're confident in it! It seemed that they did try to very subtly unsettle us - one responded to my answer about a part of the saddle with 'are you sure?' which really threw me off and I started second-guessing myself, but having looked it up afterwards I was completely correct - I think she was just checking I was confident in my answer, which clearly I wasn't! Think before you answer, but stick to your guns. The best tactic is the be forthcoming with the things you are string on, as if you do that they'll get the impression you are string in that module and leave you be. I barely saw the assessor during the grooming/tack section, having reeled off the parts of the saddle and explained how I felt about the fit of the tack very confidently, so she left me alone after about 30 seconds - she then spent a good ten minutes grilling the girl in the next stall who was clearly not as knowledgeable :/
On that note: Unit 1 grooming/tack:
This was easily my strongest module as I had the most experience with it! We were the final group to go so the horses were utterly immaculate - grooming was just going through the motions. Don't do it so fast it looks lazy, just illustrate the correct use of each tool so the examiner can see you doing so if they're watching. DO look for ill-fitting tack - they will do things like adjust the fit of the bit, the bridle I put on was a tad ill-fitting, only a bit but I said what I might adjust to the examiner and she seemed happy. Know the signs of good/bad fit (of tack and rugs) and why they're important.
Unit 2 husbandry/identification/handling:
Part of this seems to always be done after the riding - the trot up, and asking about colours/points etc. With the trot-up- be confident you know which way to turn the horse! In addition, revise your points, and the difference between skewbald/piebald, and also know what various shades of chestnut and bay look like so you don't confuse the two - these seem to be the things that tripped people up in my group.
In some posts read people were left to muck out stalls in pairs, but in our group we were led round as a group and the assessor picked people at random to demonstrate various things e.g. putting up a haynet. This brings me to another point - don't be afraid to contradict/correct another candidate if you think they are wrong. Once example: a girl in my group tied up the haynet quite incorrectly, and the assessor asked the rest of us if it was ok. In this case you have to be critical, even demonstrate how to do it right - if you just stay quiet that's as good as doing it wrong yourself in some ways. You feel like a bit of a cow doing it, but it has to be done :/ you can always apologise afterwards (as I did, the poor girl was having a really bad day of an exam, due to lack of knowledge!)
Unit 3 caring for horses
We did this in a classroom, where the assessor swapped between asking people t volunteer answers, going round the table asking for examples, and just picking people out. For areas where there are a variety of answers, learn them all not just one - you might be the last to be asked and someone will take yours! Recognising feedstuffs is one where you can't really hide - also, if you pick a super easy one, you may be asked to swap it, so be confident! They may well have stuff you won;t have seen before, but try to look at pictures of a lot of things at least, and know the different forms they can come in (e.g. sugar beet in flakes as well as cubed).
[See post below for the riding module...]
I did the full exam last November at Bold Heath Equestrian Centre, I got distinction in the care modules but have just retaken the riding module (I'll update with my result asap!).
Read on if you're interested! It'll be long, but hopefully useful.
Preparation:
I'll be brutally honest - I'm bad at revision! I'm in my final year of uni so I neglected a lot of the theory until the last minute and ended up cramming on the train home to take the exam (I still have to consult a chart to know weight to feed ratios etc., never learned that off by heart). Luckily I helped at a yard as a kid and owned my own pony for many years, so the practical & common sense aspects came pretty easily - I knew the points, colours, tack and so on from being a horse-obsessed kid. My main tip here would be - don't wing it like I did! I'll get on to how you can make up for weaknesses in knowledge, but honestly I feel bad for having done so myself, as it means I didn't get the full learning experience out of these aspects of the exam that I could have done (and I have more work to do when aiming for stage 2) and I do regret that.
Unless you have very little practical experience around horses, for stage 1 I don't think the courses offered by some riding stables are necessary - the practical module covers things you should pretty much be familiar with if you have been around horses at a riding school (if not, just get there early and help out after, they'll appreciate the help probably and you'll learn the grooming & tacking up). I already had the BHS Stable Management Manual from when I'd owned a horse, so that helped me revise. This is a good investment - I suspect the stage 1 specific book is useful, but I didn't want to spend any more money than I had to. Unless you really want to splash the cash I doubt you need the whole specified reading list! I also found youtube videos really, really helpful - whack anything that you're not sure of in there and you're sure to find soemhting, e.g. the way to adjust the stirrups or do a tail bandage. Just try and check the way you're learning is 'accepted' - it is a great tool for visual learners like myself, though.
Also, while I don't think there's as much importance placed in 'the BHS Way' that some people mention, there are certain things you should know - the list of the rules of feeding & watering, for example, or the slightly more old-fashioned things such as wisps that are still on the syllabus. (One girl in my group had very clearly never looked at a book published by the BHS and it really showed.)
I'll probably mention other things about prep later, but let's move on!
On the day:
I was very worried about the dress code as I've never shown and, being a student, couldn't really splash out for a new outfit. However, a couple of more experienced horsepeople advised me that for the stage 1 exam the dress code is much more relaxed. While most people in my group were in the standard - showing jacket, long boots or leather gaiters, etc - I ended up in an M&S shirt, navy v-neck jumper, black jods and just black polished-up jod boots, no gaiters - oh, and my dad's tie (not to mention thermal layers underneath for warmth)! I can't speak for all centres, but having been to this one twice now with different people each time, none of the assessors batted an eyelid - at the end of the day, I was smartly turned out (and in my opinion in much more practical gear fr the majority of the day, after all only 1 module is riding!) in accordance with the minimum dress code for the stage 1, so don't stress if you haven't got a fancy showing jacket. In fact, while it says boots must be worn the whole day, the assessors told several girls they would change into wellies for the practical sections, so I wish I'd brought mine. (Tip: if you go this route, and buy a cheap non-equestrian-specific shirt, maybe go a size larger than usual - the first one I got was far too fitted to ride in, so thank goodness I gave myself time to exchange it for a more suitable one. Under a jumper you can't see the poor fit really.)
The assesors were all fine - I found the gentleman who took the practical oral module very encouraging and forgiving, some were a little more standoffish but it seemed like professional detachment rather than rudeness. The riding assessor on my second attempt at that module was very welcoming and understanding. When interacting with them, I'd say be forthcoming with info that you know - but don't be tempted to show off too much beyond the syllabus if you know it, as my riding instructor warned me that they can often drill you a bit of you do this with tricky questions, so you're only making life harder! That said, don't feel self-conscious if you talk a lot, and speak up if you know something, even if they don't ask you - on the grooming section, my horse had been tied with a granny knot rather than quick-release, so as the instructor was walking past I pointed out to her that I'd fixed this. I felt like such a bloody know-it-all, but they like it if you point it out to them, as it shows you know your stuff and you're confident in it! It seemed that they did try to very subtly unsettle us - one responded to my answer about a part of the saddle with 'are you sure?' which really threw me off and I started second-guessing myself, but having looked it up afterwards I was completely correct - I think she was just checking I was confident in my answer, which clearly I wasn't! Think before you answer, but stick to your guns. The best tactic is the be forthcoming with the things you are string on, as if you do that they'll get the impression you are string in that module and leave you be. I barely saw the assessor during the grooming/tack section, having reeled off the parts of the saddle and explained how I felt about the fit of the tack very confidently, so she left me alone after about 30 seconds - she then spent a good ten minutes grilling the girl in the next stall who was clearly not as knowledgeable :/
On that note: Unit 1 grooming/tack:
This was easily my strongest module as I had the most experience with it! We were the final group to go so the horses were utterly immaculate - grooming was just going through the motions. Don't do it so fast it looks lazy, just illustrate the correct use of each tool so the examiner can see you doing so if they're watching. DO look for ill-fitting tack - they will do things like adjust the fit of the bit, the bridle I put on was a tad ill-fitting, only a bit but I said what I might adjust to the examiner and she seemed happy. Know the signs of good/bad fit (of tack and rugs) and why they're important.
Unit 2 husbandry/identification/handling:
Part of this seems to always be done after the riding - the trot up, and asking about colours/points etc. With the trot-up- be confident you know which way to turn the horse! In addition, revise your points, and the difference between skewbald/piebald, and also know what various shades of chestnut and bay look like so you don't confuse the two - these seem to be the things that tripped people up in my group.
In some posts read people were left to muck out stalls in pairs, but in our group we were led round as a group and the assessor picked people at random to demonstrate various things e.g. putting up a haynet. This brings me to another point - don't be afraid to contradict/correct another candidate if you think they are wrong. Once example: a girl in my group tied up the haynet quite incorrectly, and the assessor asked the rest of us if it was ok. In this case you have to be critical, even demonstrate how to do it right - if you just stay quiet that's as good as doing it wrong yourself in some ways. You feel like a bit of a cow doing it, but it has to be done :/ you can always apologise afterwards (as I did, the poor girl was having a really bad day of an exam, due to lack of knowledge!)
Unit 3 caring for horses
We did this in a classroom, where the assessor swapped between asking people t volunteer answers, going round the table asking for examples, and just picking people out. For areas where there are a variety of answers, learn them all not just one - you might be the last to be asked and someone will take yours! Recognising feedstuffs is one where you can't really hide - also, if you pick a super easy one, you may be asked to swap it, so be confident! They may well have stuff you won;t have seen before, but try to look at pictures of a lot of things at least, and know the different forms they can come in (e.g. sugar beet in flakes as well as cubed).
[See post below for the riding module...]
