The Open College of Equine Studies

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JosieSmith

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Hi, I was just wondering if anyone on here is studying with TOCES? I have been for three years now (and still no closer to finishing!) and am looking for other people. I have been on their forums but thought I'd ask on here too.
 
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Hi, I was just wondering if anyone on here is studying with TOCES? I have been for three years now (and still no closer to finishing!) and am looking for other people. I have been on their forums but thought I'd ask on here too.

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Me too! Im doing the Snr HMs Cert and have to finish the very last question re pedal rotation of the last assignment of the 2nd book. Ive then got genetics, reproduction and business studies to hike through
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So far it has taken 4 years when it was supposedly possible in 3
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. Sadly, I have to fit it in around everything else thats going on, like running my yard, illness and being in hospital for quite a while etc. I must admit to having learned a lot from it butu as you say-it never seems to end
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Buggered if Im giving up on it , Im going to get what I paid for-a cert to hang on the loo wall
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What course are you doing? M.
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I'm doing the BSc Behaviour and Welfare. When I started it I was just working full time and living with parents, now I'm engaged, have a house to keep and a dog and horse to look after, I usually do it in my lunch breaks at work as there's not enough time before or after work! I have no idea how I fit it in, but it really annoys me when people complain that they're busy all the time, then spend all day telling me about what tv programmes they sat and watched from the minute they finished work! I don't have time for tv, lol! Instead of reading the material now though, I tend to go straight to the assignment and only read up about whatever's included in that! I shouldn't I know but after such a long time my patience is wearing very thin!

How are you finding it?
 
mjb226 I really enjoy most modules but it really is hard work, and I seem to be having more and more periods where I really can't face it and it's such a drag, but then if you work through those periods it can be really rewarding. I thought I'd learned nothing this whole time but then a horse on our yard was diagnosed with laminitis and I could tell the other liveries all about pedal bone rotation, yippee me! Think about it really hard, it's years of work so if you do get fed up either you quit and end up paying a lot of money for nothing, or you have to push through it (which is what I'm doing at the moment). If you have the self-discipline it is good to learn
 
Me, I was doing an HND supposedly in 3 years. Some 4 years later I was being sent "updates" or what ever they were called for some of the modules I had already done eg "this has been added to the veterinary module, you need to complete another essay....................... in the end i gave up, I was raising a young family at the time and competing 2 horses. I kond of wish I hadnt given up, but to DO WISH i'd investigated the commitiment needed more thoroughly first and then I wouldnt have wasted my money. Dispite talking to them on the phone I still found there was about twice as much effot was needed.
 
I also found it a bit soul destroying being on my own, If i'd gone to college and had others to bounce ideas off etc i'd have found it much easier and enjoyable.
 
I'm the opposite, I'm really shy and find college/uni environments really hard to deal with (I find the study weeks really hard too so next time my OH is going to come and we're going to hire a little cottage for the week and take the dog as a sort of mini holiday). I went to college for a year and dropped out as I couldn't cope with it. So for me, doing it on my own, in my own time suits me better, though a study buddy living nearby who I could meet up with (preferably at the local pub!) and bounce ideas off would be good. I email a couple of people who are doing the course too but I know what you mean, it's not the same as being in college full time. And I'm finding it really hard now that I have a horse, even though she's just on part loan (full from next week). Support from the OH is greatly appreciated (when I get it, lol!)
 
Im starting the BTEC in Equine Studies this year has anybody done that course/ doing that course?
I was hoping to on the HND after......i thought it would be alot of time and this has confirmed it for me lol!
Bex
 
Yeah it's a lot of work and time. I started doing the degree but after a couple of years I changed onto the HND, which helped my motivation a lot as it was about 2 years less than the degree. I still think after I've done the HND and maybe had some time off, I'll consider the top up to the degree. Plus the HND was less money and subsequently my payments have finished, yippee! It's just so hard to fit it in with everything a normal life entails! Maybe start with one of the shorter courses and see how you fare with that before deciding whether to do the longer course perhaps?
 
Sorry, should have read your post properly, good idea doing the BTEC first, I'd see if you enjoy that before starting the HND. You might love it and decide it's definitely what you want to do. The study weeks are good if you're not as shy as me, really good to meet other students and the discussions over dinner were really interesting
 
yeah the study weeks do look good.
I was going to go straight to HND but I also thought the payments are less and it less time.
What are you looking to do after it, jobwise?
 
I'd like to be a yard manager, but I still want to do my BHS stages, got the first one but now I loan I think I'm in a better position to do the second stage, plus she's really spooky so I have to do everything very carefully and safely, lol, I think that will stand me in good stead
 
was thinking about doing the HND did ND at collage a dropped out of HND really wish hadn't now. but after reading this wth 30 ponies a 2yo daughter and working part I dont think will fit it all in, better to save my money
 
Yep modules seem to change half way through and you do not get any support at all you may as just well buy Julia Brega's books cause that is where the course notes come from and save yourself loads of money!
 
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they are driving me mad! lost my work on e learning centre, takes ages to get work marked once resubmitted, finished hnd equine science and desperate to start degree (which would make them more money) but still waiting for the course to be re-written again. my husband is in the army and is out next year, i expected to be able to work with my new qualifications so he wouldn't have to, but with only a hnd i will find it a lot harder to compete in the job market and he will have to carry on working too. on the plus side i have made some brilliant new friends and the study weeks are fab, its a shame the 'customer service' bit lacks oomph. seriously considering going to another distance learning company to top up the hnd as can't afford to keep waiting!!!
 
I looked at the toces years ago and never got round to going for it. Thanks to this post i have looked again and think i will. Just a couple of questions though as there seems tro be a few people here that are using them...

If i'm looking to run my own yard one day would it be good to have Equione Business Management under my belt or just the Horse Management types?

Is it advisable to do BHS stages?

And as a shy person.....are the study weeks friendly enough?!:confused:
 
Sorry if this as a thick question but does distance learning give you the same qualification as if you had acctually attended a college/uni, or is it less recognised?
 
Hi, I am currently studying with them, HND ES, it is hard work but I am really enjoying it. I to feel a bit "out on my own" with it sometimes. I live in Wiltshire, so I guess it would be a good idea if any one is interested in contacting others and getting a study group up and running? a social meeting at a pub maybe ..... to study of course :cool:
 
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