Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Equine Management (2026/27)

This qualification gives you the opportunity to learn about and build on the essentials of working with horses, such as stable yard operations, horse health care, feeding and nutrition and fitting and evaluating tack and equipment. You will develop further practical skills such as working and exercising horses from the ground, horse presentation skills (grooming, clipping, trimming and plaiting) and you will also learn about horse biology and horse behaviour and welfare.

You will also gain the skills to be able to undertake event management and you will also gain knowledge and understanding about the principles of equitation. You will gain an understanding of business skills which are important for progression into a wide and diverse range of employment opportunities.

This qualification will also equip you with a wider range of more specialist skills and knowledge such as riding on the flat and over fences, grassland management, horse rehabilitation and therapy, riding and exercising horses, competition grooming, coaching and planning lessons. You could also learn about retail management or business improvements.

Topics include:

• Health & Safety
• Horse Health
• Feeding & Nutrition
• Exercising horses from the ground
• Stable yard operations
• Riding on the flat
• Riding over fences
• Event Management
• Competition Grooming

This two-year qualification exposes you to the whole industry, and the opportunities within it. On completion, it is likely that you will enter the industry by working on a yard, within a stud, or perhaps a business such as a store, or feed merchant, tack shop or another company/business allied to the equine industry such as a welfare organisation. As you will have gained a breadth and depth of skills and knowledge over a very wide range of units, you could progress within work to become a:

• Retail saddlery management trainee
• Apprentice saddler or saddle fitter
• Country store management trainee
• Event manager
• Administrator or junior management trainee in a range of equestrian related businesses
• Yard office manager
• Yard manager
• Stud supervisor
• Work rider
• Trainee coach
• Travelling groom
• Clinical assistant (veterinary)

Students completing the 2 year Extended Technical Diploma can progress to university to a range of degrees including BSc Equine Science, BSc Equine Sports Rehabilitation & Therapy, MVetPhys Veterinary Physiotherapy, BSc Equine Business Management.

Our entry requirements are reviewed annually and are subject to change as qualifications, awarding bodies and assessment criteria evolve.

All candidates will undertake a equestrian skills test which will be considered alongside academic entry criteria.
Due to the practical nature of the compulsory course assessments, you must be physically able to carry out practical tasks by yourself after proper training.

In line with most BHS approved Riding Schools, there is a 13 stone weight limit for the riding units in this qualification. Alternative units are offered and this will not impact chances of achieving the qualification.

Year 1

• One external set, externally marked exam.
• One externally set, externally moderated synoptic assessment (combining theory and practical)
• Specialist unit assignments
• 150 hours Industry Placement

Year 2

• One external set, externally marked exam.
• One externally set, externally moderated synoptic assessment (combining theory and practical)
• Specialist unit assignments
• One large specialist investigative project

September 2026

1 year of full-time study with the expectation to move onto the second year Extended Diploma.