BHS Qualifications

[gingernut]

I am thinking about training to be an instructor, as I won't be able to keep my job when parents divorce. How would I go about doing it and has anyone completed them and is it really worth doing?

[Blonde Donkey]

there was a site i found that you can do the qualifications while you work doing other things
they are worth doing
will get you the link when my laptop starts working again

[gingernut]

I did start a course with The College of Equine Studies but haven't even started that one yet - had it since 2006!! oops!! but that one isn't a BHS one it's their own.

[aimee]

Every one I have spoke to, inc all my instructers say I'm mad for wanting to be one! The money is crap basically! But if you really want to do it then get on to your nearest BHS approved riding school and they should be able to point you in the right direction!

[fimacg]

I have done my stage 1, failed the ridden part as I was being marked by a dressage judge but at the time I did a lot more jumping, he failed everyone who didn't look like a dressage rider. My instructor was horrified. I found it all very pretentious and I refused to retake the test as it is b****dy expensive.

[gingernut]

tbh I don't really know what I want to do! I was looking into it to see what it entails. Don't really want to go back to being a legal secretary, I have done the part 1 ILEX exams but I don't want to be a lawyer anymore! Any suggestions on careers??

[Becca]

Ooo i need a proper career to so may be pinching some of your ideas

i would like to qualify as an instructor just to do it freelance and for the knowledge but when i can afford it.

agriculture colleges will do an evening course, eg.
www.oaklands.ac.uk/courses/details.aspx?ID=4487&title=BHS%20Cert%20in%20Stage%201%20Horse%20Knowledge%20Care%20and%20Riding%20(Day):%20Wed%2013:00-16:15&linkColor=%23A9B100&SectionName=courses

[gingernut]

That's what I was thinking was doing private lessons for people at their own yard, but also do schooling, clipping etc. i did look into being a saddler but really no money in that starts on £8k for an apprentiship. One day I would love a livery yard with on site saddlery and I could do lessons for liveries. Once the finances are sorted out Mum is going to see if she can afford a small holding near Dartmoor which she might be able to to do b&b as well. I'm thinking this might be a pipe dream though!!

[xxhannahxx]

yer i took my stage one bhs exams they are friggin expensive , i also passed my stage one theory and practical but failed my riding exam i can only conclude that they failed me because my horse took off with me lol i did my ride and road saftey next and was only given 1 day to train before hand and passed the theory but failed the ridden part because i didnt leave my hand signals long enough lol

[Becca]

ooo can me and bern come join you!! I would love to run a trekking centre or something (need to find a rich husband!!!)

I have done stage 1&2 care, 1 riding but wasn't put in for my two riding (stupid college), also done ride and road safety and BDS stage 1. Some yard train there staff i know Trent Park do

www.trentpark.com/TPEC/Content/Training.asp

[gingernut]

If we manage it - then certainly!! A would love Bern!! - He has an eye for the lads! lol He's in love with the gelding donkey at our yard to - he went all stallion like when he saw him!!!

[brigadier]

What part of the country are you in?

Im qualified but with the benefit of hindsight would I do it again?? The BHS is expensive- you need to get lots of practice in teaching now under supervision to qualify your hours etc so to do it freelance or on an evening would take a long time and that would be to gain just an AI. Colleges do offer intensive courses etc but you will pay quite a lot for these and your potential earnings are not that great. I did freelance before my wrists finally gave up and it was really for pocket money- not something to make a living from- for that you need good premises, a good name, plenty of money etc etc.
Last year I was asked to do pony club camp but they were paying less than I could have earned in Mac Donalds, hour for hour, so of course I declined. ( Ive got another occupation so horses for me are part time in any case)
Earnings freelance for a mobile AI are around £20 per hour- anything more and people dont really want to pay- anything less and its not worth your time but if you have a fair few miles to travel it really isnt worth it.

If I was looking for a career again I would seriously look at equine physiotherapy (you have to train as a human one first then specialise) or dentistry. alternative therapies are really up and coming for horses so soime reseach in this area may be beneficial but you may need another income initially.

Hope that helps in your ponderings!
brig

[gingernut]

I'm in south devon. I can't really do physio (had already thought this) as I have arthritis in my wrists, elbows and spine to name but a few!! so it would get too much very quickly - hence instructoring.

[arumanii]

...well...there is a local riding school with a good name going up for sale round me (NE Derbyshire) if ur all interested! Land is going for around a mil n only has a bungalow to live in!

[Becca]

I thought about training as an EP but again it's having the spare money to leave my job and do the training. Maybe one day *sigh* haha

[perfectpony]

The good news is that you now no longer have to work for your hours to become an ai. Bad news is once you have completed your stage 1 and 2, both parts you then do your ptt, then stage 3 again both parts and if you want to still go on to be an ai you will be given a folder to work through what contains stuff about teaching kiddies and health an safety and then you will be assesed again to make sure your not a maniac, its alot more involved these days!!!!!
each course costs around £600, and like everyone is saying unless you got your own yard with liverys then you dont really get your money back. But it is fun and if you love horses that much i would go for it x ;D

[fallible]

Good grief I feel so old. Did my AI in umpty umpt dot. It was then Horsemasters and prelim teaching. i did not have to do hours but certainly worked them as yard owner was an idle b....r.
Teaching is certainly hard work and you need flair and likeability for it. I have seen some instructors being asked to everywhere then crossing someone who does not listen and suddenly becoming a social periah.
I know someone who just finnished an equine sports massage course. It was mentally hard work BUT I believe the idea was not to put a lot of brute strength into it, just finger tips.
Have another friend who is about to start up her own business doing freelance Rekki. She had to do a lot of studing for that too.
Good luck

[perfectpony]

Jul 24, 2008 18:48:08 GMT fallible said:

Good grief I feel so old. Did my AI in umpty umpt dot. It was then Horsemasters and prelim teaching. i did not have to do hours but certainly worked them as yard owner was an idle b....r.
Teaching is certainly hard work and you need flair and likeability for it. I have seen some instructors being asked to everywhere then crossing someone who does not listen and suddenly becoming a social periah.
I know someone who just finnished an equine sports massage course. It was mentally hard work BUT I believe the idea was not to put a lot of brute strength into it, just finger tips.
Have another friend who is about to start up her own business doing freelance Rekki. She had to do a lot of studing for that too.
Good luck

i started to do my rekki courses, i completed the first one but then never went back. i too think this is possibly the way to get ahead in the horsey world.

[kateflashy]

have you tried bicton they did do the bhs exams there i was gonna go there for my 4 i got ecepted but didnt like the other pupils

i wanted to go to duchy but they didnt do 4

i know north devon college do them as a one day a week course

[wraggel]

Sounds like a money making racket to me. Lots of study and expense for very little return except that it includes horses and the joy of learning. Now if I had my time and didnt do what I do already I think I would be a pet sitter, for anything. Animals get to stay in there own enviroment and its got to be cheaper than Kennels. All you would need is a little van advertising yourself, build a reputation and off you go. Not glamorous but not an office either.X
P.S sorry thats not at all helpfull but just my silly thoughtsX

[fleabitten]

Plus, have you ever noticed that the BHS is supposed to set a high standard for teaching and horse care in riding schools - i have seen better schools that arent qualified by the BHS.
This is sometimes the case but not always - what im trying to say is that you shouldnt rely on qualifications but go by word of mouth recommendation

[gingernut]

Bicton do them on a Tuesday evening for an hour, it's about an hour and a half from me and Dutchy is a bit of a mission to get to, I live in Kingsbridge (so everything's a mission to get to!! lol). I think I'll have a go at Bicton and see how that goes. They are going to enrole again in Sept for 10 weeks.

[maximum]

www.bhs.org.uk/content/Edu-Exams.asp

that will tell you all about the BHS exas system. yes it is expensive and it gets a lot of flack - most of it from people who dont have the exams! I did up to stage 4 just for my own personal gain it does however mean I have a qualification recognised worldwide and peope who i teach know that as I am on the register I am insured, so many teach for a bit of extra cash and have no insurance which is fine until something goes wrong and then.....

its a long hard expensive road and you really have to put in a lot of work and hours to get anything out so I would look at reikki etc rather than teaching if you want to have a career and make decent money.

[gingernut]

What is reikki??

[maximum]

www.reikihealingspirit.co.uk/

www.reikiandhorses.com/