Equine Performance - HND

Level Four:

Animal Health and Welfare

Business and the Business Environment

Managing a successful project

Horse Husbandry

Management of Equine facilities

Animal Anatomy and physiology

Equestrian performance

Horse and Human Relationship

Level Five:

Biological Principles

Research Project

Equine Health and Disease

Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation

Work Experience

Advanced Equine Performance

Horse event management

The skills and knowledge gained on this course are directly relevant to a number of careers in the equine industry. On completion of the course, students will have a sound scientific and practical understanding of the equine industry and will be competent to seek employment in a variety of roles. These might include: event management, horse breeding, head groom, yard manger, equine practical technician/instructor, equine lecturer, sales representative, rescue centre and rehabilitation groom.

An equine higher national diploma also offers an excellent general Level 5 education and can provide a gateway to careers in management, journalism and the media and leisure industry. Demonstrating diversity and inclusion within the industry.

HND Graduates will be prepared for the progression on to and level 6-degree programme in an equine related subject if this is their chosen route on completion.

• A BTEC/City & Guilds Level 3 qualification in Animal Management or Horse Management
• A GCE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades at A* to C and/or 9 to 4 (or equivalent)
• Other related Level 3 qualifications
• An Access to Higher Education Diploma awarded by an approved further education institution
• Related work experience
• An international equivalent of the above.

HNC in Equine Management (Level 4 – over 1 year)
HND in Equine Management (Level 5 – over 2 years).

Teaching methods are varied and informed by contemporary practice in teaching Higher education in science ensuring inclusive learning. Most modules use lectures to provide a framework for learning and to introduce more difficult concepts to develop cognitive and problem-solving skills. Practical work and fieldwork will be key features of most modules, enhancing learning and enabling development of intra and interpersonal skills needed for developing employability skills. Other teaching methods include seminar discussion or debates, one-to-one or small group tutorials and problem-solving workshops enabling the student to develop effective communication, articulate information, and work collaboratively. Reflective learning is encouraged through use of self, peer and staff feedback which can be informative (group work, project work) or formative (assignments, presentations, reflective diaries). This feedback will encourage the student to build and gain analytical skills, critical thinking, problem solving, digital literacy and competence in assessment methods. We will also encourage the students to develop a sustainability mindset.

The integration of contemporary technologies and practical facilities will allow students to develop their academic and vocational skills to industry standards. Academic sessions are supported using the wide range of extensive practical equine facilities, available at Abingdon and Witney’s Common Ley’s campus. In addition, sessions are delivered using state of the art laboratories on the Witney campus where students have access to practical activities such as dissections and can develop advanced laboratory skills. Students are required to complete a minimum of 80 hours industry experience to appreciate the relationship between theory and industry practices and therefore linking commercial and business skills. These industry links and work placements are a key element of the HNC / HND and can be used as a topic for the specialist project module.