BHS exams

[megnum]

I am a little confused by it all, I would like to earn my certificates to teach but need to start from the beginning. I am confused by 2 things...do I need all 4 stages before doing preliminary teaching test? As I thought I did but the website implies you just need the first 2. Also do I have to complete the training or can I just self-study and get any riding advice from my current qualified instructor else the costs are going to be phenomenal. The website again doesn't state anywhere that you have to train at registered centre but want to confirm before I send of entry for exams and a cheque!

Is it worthwhile doing it? As I know you can teach without and get insurance...

[floydsmum (aka LesleyfromKent)]

Hi Megnum,

You do your Stage 1, Stage 2 and Riding & Road Safety test, then the Preliminary Teaching Test. You can then start working towards your 500 hours teaching practice (By attending official training days, you can 'earn some hours' towards the 500 hours). You will be able to call yourself a BHSPT. You can also then appear on the BHS register of Instructors.

While earning those hours you can train and then take your Stage 3 and only after you've passed both riding & care sections of Stage 3 plus completed the 500 hours can you be awarded your BHSAI.

If you do not take the Riding part of your Stage 3 you will be awarded the Grooms Certificate but you will still be a BHSPT if that makes sense.

You can do all this by self study but if I were you I'd do evening classes at the local Agriculture College as you need to do things 'the BHS way'. When I did mine a friend who was an AI taught me but I also did a course at the local college in the evenings too.

The BHS are getting a lot better at listening to and accepting alternative views, they are starting to accept different methods AS LONG AS YOU ARE WORKING IN A SAFE WAY and you can confidently but not arrogantly discuss what you are doing and know why you are doing it, they are a little more open. You will fail though if they think what you are doing is unsafe.

The BHS have published 4 good DVDs on how to pass the Stages 1, 2, 3 & PTT and they have really good books which accompany them. Would recommend you get copies if you decide to do home study alone.

I took my stages just as a hobby and have never worked with horses although I did teach for the local pony club & at a local riding school at weekends just for fun (and I was passionate about teaching novice & nervous people and horses).

I don't regret doing mine at all even though I have embraced a lot of different methods in my day to day life it's made me think about safety first etc.

Hope this helps & have fun.

[Dragonmaster]

Or you could qualify in Centered Riding with Lisap or Enlightened Equitation with Heather Moffett.
The BHS is not the only way - although they would like to think they are!
And I speak as a long term BHS member & a BHS local Committee member so I'm not anti BHS.

[floydsmum (aka LesleyfromKent)]

Funny you should say that Dragonmaster, I now teach using Centered Riding techniques learnt by attending several clinics and have met Lisa P a few times!! Was seriously thinking of doing my Centered Riding levels but I work full time (non-horsey job). One day I will.

The BHS gave me a very good grounding for me to then build on with my teaching and basic horsemanship. I don't use any method or technique religiously whether working with horses on the ground, ridden, driven or teaching/coaching people - I use things from my 'tool box' for what I see in front of me. The only things which I do not teach are to "whack it", "kick it", "Beat it", ""Sit up straight, shoulders back, heals down" or "put this gadget on that'll sort it" ....

[jennyb]

Yes, just Stage 2 and RRS. You no longer need 500 hours logged, it's done on portfolios now I think. I did most of my first few stages through home study and help from instructors, as you suggest, but got more formal training for Stage 3 care and jumping, and took a college evening course for Stage 4 care and am currently training at the same college for ITT.

People are very quick to slate the BHS but it gives such a good grounding and a huge focus on safety. The exams, particularly Stage 3 upwards, are NOT easy and take a lot of study to pass. For this reason, I think you won't get the same deal on insurance etc through Centered Riding or EE - and I say this as a Centered Riding Instructor. The quality of teaching and training is just nowhere near the same, although CR has taught me some brilliant stuff and been so useful for my own riding, I definitely want to keep my training up to date. But is it in the same league as BHS - no, not in a million years. The BHS quals are a more all-round equestrian exam, the teaching gets more technical at ITT but the PTT is quite basic, so CR/EE etc are good "add ons" once you get your BHS.

[floydsmum (aka LesleyfromKent)]

Just had a look at the new PTT Syllabus, blimey!! I took my stages in the late 90s!!

[Hannah]

Agree with jennyb

It is much easier (and cheaper) to get insurance if you are BHS qualified. The exams are also recognised world-wide which is handy if you ever want to work abroad. I am BHS qualified but also did the EE training last year which was brilliant. I would suggest looking into other "methods" as an addition to the BHS quals.

I would recommend having an assessment lesson with either an examiner, or the proprietor of an exam centre. They will know the standard required and be able to give an honest assessment of your riding and what, if anything needs work before the exam. I don't know anything about you, but make sure you are happy to ride a huge variety of horses. During my exams I have ridden a 14hh pony to 17hh TB/WB and everything in between. Some are fast, some are slow, some are responsive and some are not, and you need to be able to get a tune out of all of them in a matter of minutes.

If you have any questions, I am happy to help and I am sure Jenny will too

[amber]

Good Luck if you decide to go ahead and do the exams....I've got my Stage III...did them a few years ago and did enjoy them, albeit hard work studying with a full time job and a horse to take care of,..but managed.. .

[lisap]

I'd endorse what Jenny says, with the addition that Centered Riding is all about the rider and teaching the rider to sit and ride more effectively and softly. The BHS exams require you to be a horse rider, and to understand how to train a horse as well as teaching riders. Therefore imo getting a thorough grounding into improving your own riding and understanding of training methods is essential before going on to do something along the lines of Centered Riding.

But, I do have a disagreement with the BHS about its approach to its training. I no longer jump, and as a result, do not teach jumping. However, if I wished to attain BHS qualifications I would have to jump a course of showjumps and a X Country course. This is out of the question for me now, so therefore people like me are excluded from gaining a sensible BHS qualification, but many of us would still be great assets to the BHS instructors' list albeit on a flatwork training only basis.

I know my own skills and abilities are far more extensive and useful now than they were when I cheerfully careered over showjumping and X country courses in my youth!