Unit 1:

BHS Qualifications (BHSQ) is an awarding organisation recognised and regulated by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, SQA Accreditation in Scotland, Qualifications Wales (QW) and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland. BHSQ works in partnership with a variety of organisations to develop and award qualifications for the equestrian industry. This ensures BHSQ qualifications are fit for purpose for the sector.

As the awarding organisation, BHSQ is responsible for the processes through which learners seek and obtain certification for their achievements. BHSQ is responsible for verifying that assessment practice in approved centres is conducted systematically, effectively, securely and to national standards specified within the qualification.

The British Horse Society (BHS) is approved as a centre to deliver qualifications regulated by BHSQ. BHSQ and the BHS developed these qualifications in line with feedback received from extensive industry consultation.

Learners taking BHSQ Level 2 (Stage 2) qualifications will either be seeking employment in the industry or will already be employed and are seeking career advancement. It is essential that these qualifications meet the needs of employers and learners. To satisfy these requirements, the qualifications have been developed in collaboration with employers, colleges, coaches, students, and expert groups.

Find an assessment near you and then contact the Education team to book. 

Please ensure you book in plenty of time. The assessment will close for bookings two weeks prior to taking place.

We will always do our best to accommodate your preference for an assessment. However, the venue and date are not confirmed until payment is taken and you have received your written confirmation.

Re-sitting your assessment

If you have been unsuccessful on your first assessment, we encourage you to call us to book a re-sit.

Of course, we will also answer any questions you may have and provide you with feedback at this stage. You may have been successful against some, but not all of the assessment criteria, in which case we can just assess you on the sections on which you were not so strong.

• A minimum age of 14 years
• BHS Stage 1 Care Award
• BHS Gold member – Membership discounts apply for learners who are training for or taking BHS qualifications 

You will be assessed on the following learning outcomes:

• Know about the roles, rights and responsibilities of an assistant groom
• Be able to fit tack and boots on a horse
• Be able to prepare a horse to travel
• Know about horse behaviour
• Understand how to feed horses
• Know about basic horse anatomy
• Understand horse fitness
• Be able to maintain a horse’s health
• Be able to prepare a horse for presentation
• Understand how to care for a horses’ feet
• Understand the environment for keeping horses

Download the qualification specification to review the learning outcomes in more detail.

• Three-hour criteria based assessment

View our assessment fees.

Supporting you at every stage, your Skills Record allows you to record your achievements and progression through your career, with pre-assessment sign off criteria and coach endorsements required for career pathways.

Pre-assessment criteria and coach endorsement for this assessment include:

• Ready for assessment form completed – compulsory
• Skill: bathing a horse – compulsory
• Skill: loading a horse – compulsory

The above must be approved by a BHS Accredited Professional Coach or Coaches in a BHS Approved Centre.

All applicants are encouraged to undertake practical training at a BHS Approved Centre or with a BHS Accredited Professional Coach to ensure you are ready for your assessment.

Find your nearest training centre for Stage 2 Care