Diploma of Higher Education Equine Performance and Business Management

• UCAS Tariff Points: 180 - 240
• GCE A Levels: 180 UCAS tariff points, to include one GCE A level grade C or above
• Irish Certificate: 180 UCAS tariff points, to include 2 x ILC higher at B1
• Scottish Highers: 180 UCAS tariff points, to include 2 x higher at B
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: MPP (160) in combination with other qualifications (180)
• BTEC Level 3 Diploma: MM (160) in combination with other qualifications (180)
• C & G Level 3 Extended Diploma: Pass (120) in combination with other qualifications (180)
• C & G Level 3 Diploma: Merit (160) in combination with other qualifications (180)

English language requirements
If you do not have English as a first language, you will normally be required to demonstrate an IELTS overall score (or equivalent) of:

• 5.5 with a minimum of 5.0 in all elements for a Further Education course
• 5.5 with a minimum of 5.0 in all elements for a Foundation degree, Higher Certificate or Higher Diploma
• 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all elements for a degree
• 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all elements for a postgraduate degree

If you have lower scores, you may be accepted onto a Pre-sessional English Language course, which can lead to entry to the appropriate programme of study.

STAGE ONE

• Essential Skills for the Equine Industry - This module will allow the student to develop practical skills in the care, management and use of horses, which will underpin future employment in a range of roles within the equine industry. Within the module are opportunities for the student to advance their knowledge in subjects particular to their programme of study from breeding or behaviour to therapy or coaching. The vocational skills that students achieve are aligned with professional qualifications such as those offered by the British Horse Society, Association of British Riding Schools and the Pony Club. For the riding element of the module the first half of the semester will cover the requirements of the BHS Stage One syllabus. The second half of the semester will focus on developing and consolidating these elements and begin to move onto the BHS Stage Two syllabus. In addition, students will develop and improve their transferable skills by undertaking academic exercises related to the equine sector and which integrate practical and scientific theory. Throughout the module students are encouraged to reflect on their abilities and are given support to plan how to acquire competency in the skills they will need throughout their course and in order to be successful within their chosen sector.
• Professional Skills for the Equine Industry - This module will enable the student to enhance the practical skills required for working with horses in the equine industry, alongside essential analytical, learning and communication skills. These will be developed in a suitable vocational context with emphasis on the key-features of the para-professional sector. The vocational competencies are aligned with professional qualifications, such as those offered by the British Horse Society, Association of British Riding Schools and the Pony Club. For the riding element of the module the first half of the semester will cover the requirements of the BHS Stage Two syllabus for riding on the flat. The second half of the semester will focus on developing and consolidating these elements and begin to move onto the BHS Stage Two syllabus for jumping. There will be opportunities to tailor elements of the module to particular programmes of study or specific interests while simultaneously developing a host of essential transferable skills. Integrating scientific theory and practice is an essential aspect of study at degree level and a vital skill to posess regardless of the area of the sector the student plans to work in.
• Equine Anatomy and Physiology - This module is designed to develop students' understanding of the relationship between form and function in the horse. Taught in the first semester of the first year, this module will introduce students to the anatomical structure and physiological functions of all the major body systems, laying the foundations for future modules in health, nutrition and functional anatomy. The module will make use of theory based lecture sessions and lab-based dissections to enable students to achieve a greater understanding of anatomy and physiology.
• Equine Nutrition and Parasitology - This module is designed to develop students' knowledge and understanding of the biochemical basis of equine nutrition. The structure of carbohydrates, proteins and fats is studied in the context of digestive physiology, energy provision and equine metabolism. Scientific principles are then applied to the practice of ration formulation used in feeding different types of horses. This module also develops an understanding of parasitology and microbiology in the context of equine health and performance.
• Event Management - This module allows students to develop skills which will enable them to plan and run an event, or contribute to one or more events, using planning techniques. The event enables the development and implementation of organizational and control skills which are an essential part of the management role in equine sector organizations. Equine organizations increasingly look to special events as a very important source of revenue and publicity, and some equine companies' role is entirely based on organizing and managing events.
• Equine Business Management - This module aims to develop an appreciation of the diverse nature and scale of the equine industry within the UK and wider international context. The economic significance of the industry as a whole and the relative contributions of the various sectors will be identified. The nature, size, scope and characteristics of a variety of equestrian businesses and organisations will be researched. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the principles and methods used to record, measure and analyse the performance of an equestrian business. The impact of the external environment on a range of equine organisations will also be assessed. Students will be introduced to the roles and functions of managers within a variety of equestrian organisations and to the principles which underpin the effective management of an enterprise to sustain a productive working environment and optimum equine health, welfare and performance. The module also introduces students to some of the basic financial concepts such as the accounting framework, profit, working capital and costs. The aim of the module is to give the student a solid foundation in equestrian enterprise management to enable further study of more specialist business concepts within later modules of the course.

STAGE TWO

• Research Methods - The module is designed to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and thought processes necessary for effective original research. Students will study the nature and fundamentals of the research process, such as literature reviewing skills, the design of a research project, techniques for collection of research data and statistical techniques for analysing research data and drawing valid evidence based inferences.
• Grassland and Facilities Management - Managing a modern equestrian enterprise will require the use of a wide range of physical resources and facilities used for the purposes of housing the horse, exercising it and maintaining its health and well-being. The equine industry is increasingly taking advantage of new technology in the design and construction of specialist resources and products. Knowledge of the availability and suitability of new technologies will impact on the sustainability of equestrian enterprises. Grass is the natural food of the horse, whose economic production and utilisation is essential to the success of any equine enterprise. With increasing physiological demands being placed upon the horse, in terms of reproductive and athletic performance, the production of quality forage is fundamental to equine health, welfare and management. The module combines the scientific principles underlying grass growth and nutritional value, with practical and economic aspects of grassland management. The module uses fieldwork examples from the College estate. The main outcome which students will produce as a result of studying this module is a development plan for an equestrian enterprise of their chosen specialism. This site development plan is something which should prove useful to them within their future careers as equestrian enterprise managers.
• Training for Performance - This module considers how the horse learns and how the application of this knowledge can be applied in everyday training situations. Underpinning theories that will be reviewed include theories of habituation and desensitization as well as the psychology of training. The scientific principles behind physical training will also be explored along with the factors that affect athletic performance, including the adaptations that occur to the individual body systems in response to training. Students will be encouraged to apply these concepts within practical sessions and to evaluate the use of current methods of training horses using relevant peer reviewed literature. Students will develop their communication skills to be able to articulate this technical and scientific information to riders, trainers and coaches in a manner that supports the methods and terminology used at ground level for a range of disciplines within the equine performance industry.
• Equince Pathophysiology - This module builds on knowledge gained in the first year in anatomy and physiology as well as practical equine management. It is designed to link theory with practical application for managers of large equine establishments of all kinds and those with responsibility for international equine performers. It includes analysis of the causes, prevention and control of infectious and non-infectious diseases.
• Business Concepts - This module provides an understanding of the key aspects of the operation of organisations which the student may encounter within their career; human resource issues, market focused activities, financial management and associated decision making. Exercises and case studies will provide material for students to discuss management issues, typical of those encountered in the “world of work”, and these will be applied to typical businesses and organisations within the student’s chosen sector.
• Business Development - This module provides an opportunity for students to apply all the knowledge gained in Equine Business Management and Business Concepts in order to develop a Business Plan for a new business. Students will look at how various business planning techniques can be used in the creation of a new business. The student will learn to demonstrate knowledge of basic business planning techniques for forecasting or simple budgeting, and how to present this by supplying information appropriate to the lender's needs. Topics covered include elements of a plan, market research, human and physical resourcing recommendations, funding sources, financial forecasting and decision making, and delivering a persuasive presentation.

Optional

• Equitation and Coaching - The coaching element concentrates on students being able to apply coaching theory in a practical situation whereby they design, plan, implement and reflect on riding lessons on the flat and over fences. Coaching skills also develop communication, confidence, and students own equestrian skills. This module is aligned to the UKCC level 2 in equestrian coaching and will be useful for students who are interested in being a generic equestrian coach and those who want to specialise in any of the other riding disciplines. The equitation element will improve student's practical ability and understanding of the principles of equitation theory.
• Training and Equestrian Enterprise Management - This module is designed for students following the Equitation specialism in the second year. Through a programme of supervisory duties at the College Equine Unit and supporting lectures/tutorials, students will further develop the skills necessary to manage an equestrian enterprise. Students will have the opportunity to apply theoretical management principles to the practical situation, and evaluate the relevance of these to modern equestrian enterprise management. The module allows the accumulation of a suitable amount of practical supervisory experience, interspersed with periodic performance reviews. The training and development of a range of horses will be applied from the ground and on the flat and over jumps. Key features include assessment of the horse's potential and development and implementation of a progressive training programme which suits its age, type, conformation, temperament and the discipline for which it is being trained.
• Young Horse Production - An understanding of the principles behind the training and production of young horses for a variety of roles will be gained via the experience of producing a young horse over a specified time period, with due regard to correct industry practice and the legal requirements and obligations of the stud farm manager. Thus students will gain an understanding of how a modern stud farm operates at both an operational and strategic level.
• Applied Stud Management - Students will gain an understanding of the principles and techniques used for the management of the stud farm. The student will demonstrate knowledge of correct industry practice along with the legal requirements and obligations required of the stud farm manager. The student will apply general management principles and practices within the operational context (both at a level an operational and strategic) of a horse breeding enterprise. They will understand how stallions are commercially managed at stud, their syndication, marketing, promotion and ultimately their life span. The issues of reproductive control and the problems raised by sub-fertile animals will be raised. The use and implementation of new breeding technologies (artificial insemination (chilled and frozen), embryo transfer) will be discussed. Practical will be used when appropriate e.g., at semen collections. The student will be required to complete yard supervisory duties, enabling them to implement and demonstrate theoretical principles.