BHS STAGE 4 what is required?

[yaddowshad]

Im taking BHS stage 4 stable management in a couple of months and the sylabus is a bit vague, what is required at this level? do you fit tack like stage 3 and the usual fitness, feeding discussions? Any advice and help much appreciated.

 

[Abbeygale]

I did my stage 4 care - but it was quite a few years ago. TBH I can't remember now what fitting tack included for stage 3 - but obviously they are looking for more information and more detail for the stage 4.

From my (very poor) memory - I seem to think that there was a wide range of tack put out on a table / bench etc that you could choose from, and you would be told to tack up appropriately for a certain discipline. You would be expected to find a saddle and bridle that would fit the horse - and discuss the fit of the saddle and the bridle with the examiners. When I did mine I was told to tack up for dressage, so I chose a dressage saddle - checking the fit of it first without a numnah / saddle cloth beneath it, then put a white saddlecloth underneath, I think I just put a snaffle bridle on - but obviously the potential was there to fit a double bridle if you wanted (then you would be expected to explain about the level that you can start using a double etc). Obviously no boots bandages fitted.

You will also need to do knee or hock bandages (or maybe both if there is time on the day!) as part of the tack fitting part

Have you got the BHS Stage 3 & 4 book? If you haven't - get it ASAP! This is the best thing I had for revision, and on the feeding / stable management / grass management discussions pretty much does tell you everything that you know.

I would also get a half decent anatomy book to brush up on bones and muscles - I always forget names - although you may already be brilliant on that!

 

[yaddowshad]

Thanks for that information, I do have the books so will get stuck into them. I suppost its the depth of knowledge they are looking for now.