BTEC vs BHS qualifications...

Bowen4Horses

Bowen4Horses

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Ok, so... i'm on maternity leave, and bored.

I'm already doing a Masters degree (but it's for work and doesn't interest me in the slightest) and i also write/undertake academic research stuff too sometimes... but again, not really something that really interests me... so it all feels a bit empty...

i thought maybe i'd do an equestrain qualification. to get some general knowledge but also accredited in case i ever did want to have a drastic career change...

i was looking at the BTEC National Certificate in Equine Studies (NCES), and also the BHS stages 1,2 and 3...

what are the differences between these? is either one significantly better than the other?

i have found a place to do the BTEC as distance learning, with a couple of residential weeks ( i LOVE the sound of that!)

if i were to do the BHS ones, i'd want to do the riding bits too, which i can't do as distance learning. so will i have to do the whole course as non-distance learning? i can't find ANY near me (hence looking into the BTEC).

Hmmm... i'm confuzzled.
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I've never heard of the NCES before, is it something new?
I did a National Diploma in equine studies (many years ago!) and the stages too. You can learn all the stuff out of a book for some of the BHS exams and then you would need lessons for anything practical. The BHS are very much into Health and Safety and everything has to be 'done the BHS' way, luckily i learnt everything that way at college but i know some people have struggled with things like lungeing. My friend who is a showjumper and does very well failed her stage 2 riding on the jumping, they are very strict!
 
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I've never heard of the NCES before, is it something new?


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confused.gif
i don't know... i just found this:
http://www.equinestudies.co.uk/learning/certificate.jsp?ref=3

and the 'equine studies' seemed like the most general one... and they only seem to do it at a 'certificate' level... but it's a 2 year course, so i presume it has some depth to it??!?
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BTEC qualifications give you A-level equivalents that allow you to go on to higher education. You sound as if academically you are well past that level. Have you thought about doing something like an HNC? Equine colleges often run these as evening courses, and they include both the academic and the practical aspects of horse care. If you did either of these courses at college, you would usually be having riding lessons and do the BHS stages as an additional qualification. If you did decide to go down the BHS route, you might find that a local stables runs the BHS owners certificates - these start at a very basic level but if you work your way through them all the exempt you from the BHS stage 1, at which point you could look for training specifically for the other stages.
 
the BTEC is alright but very simple and not very challenging! quote from the open college of equine studies:
'To provide a broad base of theoretical knowledge to students with some experience of horses.'
it isn't as practical as something like an NVQ and only recognised in this country. also it doesn't necessarily always cover equine stuff, i've heard this year someone has been doing a thing on badgers! ha.
although BHS exams are british too they are a traditional and respected qualification, if you look about 90% of yards are BHS approved and look for BHS qualified staff.
 
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