Module Identifier RD19300  
Module Title HORSEMASTERSHIP 1  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator To Be Arranged  
Semester Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)  

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Outcome 1
Demonstrate competence in stable care, feeding and watering.
Performance criteria
a. The correct methods of handling horses are demonstrated.
b. A high standard of mucking out different types of bedding, bedding down, setting fair, is demonstrated and the use of different types of bedding, deep litter and maintenance of a muck heap is appreciated.
c. Correct turning out of a horse is demonstrated.
d. The basic daily management of the horse at grass is appreciated.
e. The basic practical principles of feeding and watering are discussed.
f. The bandaging of horses is demonstrated.
g. The correct care of a horse after exercise is demonstrated.
Range:
Handling for shoeing and vet examination, cast horses.
Strapping, quartering, washing, trimming, plaiting. Intensive, extensive systems.
Grooming ? strapping and quartering.
Compound feeds, straight feeds, grass and conserved feedstuffs.
Preparation of common feedstuffs.
Stable, travel, exercise bandages.
Mucking out, bedding down, general yard duties.

Outcome 2
Identify symptoms of ill-health, treat minor ailments and recognize the need for professional assistance.
Performance criteria
a. The signs of good health are recognised and the importance of early diagnosis is appreciated.
b. Primary treatment of injury is demonstrated in the form of poulticing, cold water treatment, control of bleeding.
c. Knowledge of keeping health records and their importance is discussed.
d. The necessity of inspection and care of horses? teeth is appreciated.
Range
Main body functions, lameness.
Contagious, notifiable and hereditary diseases.
Poulticing: knee and hock bandages.

Outcome 3
Demonstrate competence in fitting items of saddlery and tack, lungeing, and describe the uses and application of items of equipment.
Performance criteria
a. All major items of tack are named and their uses discussed
b. The basic items of tack, including lunge equipment, are fitted correctly.
c. The principles of bitting are discussed.
d. Rugging up is demonstrated and the different types of rugs, their use and care is appreciated.
e. The use of common gadgets is appreciated.
f. Basic stable design is discussed.
Range:
Saddle, bridle, various types of boot, breastplate and martingales, lunge equipment.
Families of bits
Day rugs, stable rugs, turnout rugs.
Size, shape, fittings of a stable.

Outcome 4
To demonstrate competence in practical skills relating to the Equine (either (a) riding or (b) basic saddlery/harness making skills) ? to achieve the standard of either BHS Stage I or Stage II
Performance criteria (a) - riding
a. Satisfy the requirements of BHS Stage I, by (i) leading a saddled and bridled horse in hand, from either side; (ii) checking saddlery for its fitting and soundness; (iii) mounting and dismounting from the ground, from a leg-up and from a mounting block and assisting other riders to mount; (iv) taking up and adjusting stirrups and reins, checking and tightening girths; (v) maintaining a correct position at the three gaits of walk, trot and canter with the stirrups at a suitable length for various types of work (vi) riding without stirrups at walk and trot, using the natural aids to ride forward on straight lines, through turns and large circles, to halt and stand; (vii) trotting on named diagonals, changing diagonals and understanding the reasons for so doing; (viii) recognising an incorrect leading leg in canter and trotting, to enable a correct lead to be established.
b. Satisfy the requirements of BHS Stage II, by (i) demonstrating the ability to maintain a correct balanced seat independent of the reins, at walk, trot (sitting and rising) and canter; (ii) riding without stirrups at walk, trot and canter; (iii) cantering on a named leg; (iv) riding with reins in one hand at walk and trot; (v) riding correct school figures at walk, trot and canter; (vi) jumping fences up to 0.76m (2?6?) at trot and canter; (vii) riding over undulating ground/up and downhill; (viii) opening, holding and shutting gates alone and in company, ensuring secure fastening; (ix) demonstrate an understanding of how the horse should move in a good form under the rider; (x) knowing the rules for riding in company, both in the riding school/manege and outside.
Range:
BHS Stages I and/or II
Performance criteria (b) ? basic harness-making and saddlery
a. Knowledge of the structure, function and division of hides is demonstrated.
b. The correct preparation of leather for various procedures is demonstrated.
c. Ability to use various hand tools for cutting and stitching leather is demonstrated
d. `Stitching in? of keepers, buckles and billets is demonstrated
e. Knowledge of safety techniques is applied.
Range:
Hides; bridle butts, harness back, shoulders, panel hides
Good and bad leather
Preparation for cutting, edging, staining, polishing, creasing, marking out
Stitching claws, double hand and basic stitching
Tools: needles, threads, sharpening, care and adjustment
Stitching: fixed keepers, running keepers, buckles, billets.

Outcome 5
Describe shoeing requirements and discuss the role of the farrier in normal and remedial shoeing.
Performance criteria
a. Normal shoeing requirements are discussed
b. The uses of remedial shoes are appreciated
c. Adjuncts to shoeing are discussed
d. The requirements of the unshod horse are discussed
Ranges:
Hunter shoes, wide-web shoe, rocker bar shoe, egg-bar shoe, heart-bar shoe, corn shoe.
Pads, studs.
Ponies, young stock, breeding stock, working, resting.
Methods of shoeing.

Outcome 6
To gain general knowledge of aspects of the Country Code, the structure of the BHS and various safety issues.
Performance criteria
a. Demonstrate knowledge of the Country Code as it pertains to the rider.
b. Show awareness of the safety measures required when riding on a public highway.
c. Discuss the correct procedures in the event of an accident involving horses and how to avoid further injury
   or damage.
d. Demonstrate a knowledge of the aims and structure of the BHS.

Brief description

This module is designed to develop the vocational skills essential to those intent on developing a career in the equine industry. It also serves to integrate many of the principles of equine management and science taught in other modules during the first year. The practical skills developed in this module are assessed and will provide a basic level of competence for students who are preparing for work experience in industry during the second year.   They will also enable students to prepare for BHS Stages examinations. The work experience period and a more advanced module (RD27610 Horsemastership 2) taught in the final year, will build on this module.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4