BHS training and examinations - help please :)

[cob&onion]

Hoping to do my stages 1 - 3 next year (spring time) i have found a venue that runs the training days and examinations either of an evening or on Saturdays.

Please can someone break down the process for me........

How many training sessions do you need before the exams (stable management and riding) although I know what I am doing obviously there will be the *correct* way of doing things so want to be shown their way first.

I have worked on a livery yard and have 2 of my own horses and been around them all my life and the plan is to go into teaching adults to ride (beginners and novices) so I need my qualifications.

Please point me in the right direction! also how long does it take realistically to qualify? is just a case of turning up on the examination day then being told at the end if you have passed or not?


Also any tips would be good!

This is their schedule:

http://www.berriewood.entadsl.com/PDF/ExamsAndTraining/EveningBHSTraining.pdf

At the risk of sounding thick (sorry pregnancy/baby brain!!) would i need to do all the training sessions to be on the safe side and just follow it through like it says?) am really hoping they do the training a bit later on in the spring too as will be having a baby xmas so want to make sure am fit and ready for it!! feb seems quite close.............

Thanks

 

[patch1234]

Ive done 1,2,3 and 4 stable management, I have the AI.

BHS 1 is basic and any good book will give you enough for the theory with some practical tuition. The riding is basic just sit still and dont fidgit around.

BHS 2 more in depth feeding VIP must know your straights. Saddling up must be done quickly dont phaff about.

Riding introduces jumping 2ft 6 at most, difficulty will depend where you take exam, big establishments with n turnout have the hotter horses.

Stage 3 more in depth must know your muscles like back of hand, feeding VIP. Must be able to spot lameness and conformation issues.

Riding introduces cross country - will depend where you take it and yype of horse you get.

Stage 4 now the real fun starts as you are allowed an opinion, very rare in BHS. Must know about fittening, must be confident but not cocky the examiners hate that.

Seen by other countries as an excellent qualification to hold (except France who see it as far too basic) so useful in that way, but to be honest experience is more important and most of the best teachers in the world for all the equestrian disciplines dont have BHS training.



Good Luck

 

[patch1234]

Forgot to mention I did 1.2 in same year 3 the next year as I was part time then, 4 following year as I was phaffing about. It depends on previous training and time you can put into it.

Im lucky in that Im an academic and hold a Masters Degree so studying is easy for me, the riding is more difficult for me but everyone is different.

 

[cob&onion]

Thanks Patch

I called them and it all starts in late feb/march time eeekk!!
They said i just pick and choose if i want to do the riding or what stable management i want to do. Need to have an assessment riding lesson first then take it from there. Thinking for stage 1 i will probably just need to go over the basics in stable management just to re-cap and also to do things the BHS way.

 

[ruth83]

Get a couple of books (I recommend the Hazel Reed one) and see if you can watch a copy of the DVD. This will give you a better idea of the standard required. Chances are you know much of it for stage 1 and just need a brush up.

Could the centre offer you an assessment? Or see if the BHS are running any standard days in your area.