Horse Management (BTEC), Extended Diploma

This course is open to post-16 students who are looking for the next step after school. We also attract mature learners looking to retrain.

Why choose this course?

• You'll study practical riding, management and scientific theory modules to ensure you develop a range of practical riding, coaching and horse management skills and knowledge
• On completion you'll have the opportunity to progress on to our higher education equestrian degree programs
• Our Brackenhurst Equestrian Centre has excellent facilities and resources, including indoor and outdoor international riding arenas, livery yard and performance analysis equipment
• You'll be taught by academics that are professionals in their own right and compete at high level international eventing and dressage competitions including 3* and 4* events
• You'll have the opportunity to work at various high profile equestrian shows and events including Belton Horse Trials, Your Horse Live and Chatsworth International Horse Trials
• Our academic team are British Horse Society Assessors and have industry links and connections with top riders / trainers and other BHS Assessors
• You'll have the opportunity train for additional industry recognized qualifications: Progressive Riding Tests level 1-6 and British Horse Society Ride and Road Safety in year one and training towards BHS Stage Two and Preliminary Teaching Test (UKCC Level two) in year two
• You'll have the opportunity to try out for our prestigious Rider Academy
• You'll get the opportunity to be part of cutting edge student and staff research and have the chance to evaluate modern training methods and approaches to the management and training of horses
• You'll be open to outstanding work experience and placement opportunities to develop your own industry links and connections
• Upon completion you'll have the opportunity to progress to higher education courses.

About Brackenhurst Equestrian Centre
The Brackenhurst Equestrian Centre is based at Nottingham Trent University's Brackenhurst campus. It's a British Horse Society approved riding and examination centre. Our horses are specifically selected to help enhance the riding experience of our students. Our professionally qualified and experienced staff, who are also active within the equine industry, enhance your learning experience, together with providing excellent contacts for work experience and final careers within the industry.

About Brackenhurst
Our beautiful rural Brackenhurst campus is a truly unique and special place to learn. Located near the historic market town of Southwell and just 14 from Nottingham city centre, Brackenhurst is an idyllic 200 hectare working farm estate with crops and biomass grass, a Victorian hall and walled gardens.

It offers purpose-built teaching facilities including an equestrian centre, a brand new mock veterinary nursing practice, an animal unit home to a range of mammals and reptiles, a glass greenhouse complex, and specialist workshop units and laboratories. New student accommodation is also available and students have on-site access to a library, careers service, computing facilities, shop, cafe and student bar.

• Find out more about Brackenhurst Equestrian Centre

This is a highly practical course that links theoretical horse management to the practical situation. This course allows students to develop their skills in riding, training and handling horses using a combination of contemporary methods such as Natural Horsemanship with more traditional approaches.

What will I study?

Here is a list of the units you will study whilst on programme, as you will see there is a good mix of practical and theoretical topics. All units complement study for British Horse Society Examinations and or employment within the industry.

Year One modules include:

• Animal Biology
• Animal Health
• Horse Nutrition
• Competition Grooming
• Horse Fitness and Training
• Equitation Practical
• Theory of Equitation
• Horse Husbandry
• Stable Skills
• Prepare and Present Horses
• Working Horses from the Ground.

Year Two modules include:

• Horse Behaviour and Welfare
• Business Management
• Horse Rehabilitation and Therapy
• Animal Anatomy and Physiology
• Riding and Training on the Flat
• Riding Over Fences
• Equestrian Teaching
• Work-related Experience in the Horse Sector.

Where will I study / learn?
The Equestrian Centre and its many facilities at Brackenhurst are an essential resource for the students studying on equine courses, from BTECs to PhDs, here at Nottingham Trent University.

Contact time / typical timetable?
This is a thirty week course, with 16 hours of taught contact time each week including individual tutorial session with a personal tutor to help support you in your learning.

You'll undertake four hours of practical riding per week, including dressage and show jumping training, and working horses from the ground (including contemporary training methods such as Parelli and traditional long reining techniques). In Year Two you'll develop your coaching skills, which complements study towards the British Horse Society (BHS) Preliminary Teaching Test or UKCC Level Two Coaching certificate.

We have developed a condensed four day weekly timetable to enable students to pursue their own competition or work commitments.

How will I be assessed?
Wide variety of assessment methods to enable all learners to shine. No end exams. Assessment methods include:

• Video diaries
• E portfolios
• Poster presentations
• Case studies
• Portfolios
• Presentations
• Practical observations.

Learners can target pass, merit, distinction or distinction star grades which carry the necessary UCAS points tariff to progress onto foundation or full honours degree level.

Field Trips
You'll get the chance to go on exciting field trips throughout the course including visits to rehabilitation and rescue centres such as Bransby Rest Home for Horses, tours to Newmarket and local veterinary hospitals, top competition yards and premier league shows. In addition we will visit to the Animal Defence Unit at Melton Mowbray and ‘Your Horse Live’.

How many places are available on this course?
Places are limited so early application is advisable. There are a maximum of thirty places for the Extended Diploma in Horse Management. After completing the application form you will be invited to attend an interview. Interviews take place throughout the year and include a short riding assessment.

Brackenhurst Equestrian Facilities

• The centre’s impressive facilities include 60m x 40m indoor and outdoor arenas, stabling for 65 horses, a round pen, horse walker and solarium, weigh bridge, stocks and crew yards. Many students take full advantage of the excellent facilities by bringing their own horses on student livery.
• The newest addition to our facilities is a 40 x 20 metre research arena which is surrounded by a seven foot fence to allow loose schooling. Observation holes in the fence allow staff and students to observe the horse(s) from outside the arena to reduce any influence on natural behaviour.
• The impressive centre is used by various organisations including local pony clubs. Students benefit from the equestrian centre by organising their own competitions, taking part in significant research and develop their own coaching abilities to other students.
• The Equestrian Centre is British Horse Society (BHS) approved training and livery establishment and we also hold a full local authority riding school licence.

The Equestrian Centre takes some horses on a loan basis throughout the academic term. These horses are used for both riding and stable management education. There are limited spaces available and the horses are selected during the summer break before the start of term. All horses are continually assessed according to their temperament and ability.

If you are interested in discussing this with us further, please contact our Yard Manager, Anna Gregory.
Email: anna.gregory@ntu.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 8043.

Indoor Riding School
Recently refurbished and re-launched by six time Olympian Mary King in 2012 this is 60 x 40 metres with a Prowax sand riding surface. Includes a seating gallery area capable of seating 279 people for events or so training and research can be observed in comfort. Indoor Cross Country jumps are available as well as a full range of show jumps and school barriers. The area accommodates two arenas during dressage training and for show jump training the course area allows plenty of room for smooth turns.

The Indoor school is effectively used for research, allowing horses to be loose schooled and our camera system records both training and research that can then be analysed using various software for both staff and student use.

Outdoor Riding School
60 x 40 metres with waxed sand and fibre surface, enclosed by fencing and fully floodlit with a full range of show jumps and school barriers.

Research Arena
40 x 20 metres waxed sand surface. Fully enclosed by seven foot fencing to allow loose schooling. Observation holes in the fence allow staff and students to observe the horse(s) from outside the arena to reduce any influence on natural behaviour.

Livery
Stabling for over 30 DIY student liveries that includes use of the Equestrian Centre facilities.

Performance Analysis Room
Houses mechanical horse, iJoy Ride, Balimo Chair, Tekscan Pressure testing equipment and mirrors, all of which are utilised for clinics and workshops.

Technical Room
Computer equipment for student use during project work including use of research software such as Observer, OnTrack and Dartfish. This room can also be used for downloading data from cameras, heart rate monitors, mobile eye and other data collecting equipment.

And much more...

• Cross Country schooling paddock
• Horse walker
• Round pens for lunging/research
• Stocks and solarium
• Washbox
• Project rooms for staff research
• Tutorial room for private and group tutorials
• Large lecture rooms complete with AV equipment located in the Bramley Building
• Laboratory facilities located in the Bramley Building and Veterinary Nursing Unit.

Find out more about Brackenhurst Equestrian Centre.