Hello Everyone

PLEASE NOTE - IF YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS DOES NOT WORK, YOU WON'T GET THE LINK TO CONFIRM YOUR ACCOUNT

Tackroom Gossip (TG) is BACK !!

If you need somewhere to advertise your business, online shop, animals for sale, referral links to websites, it's here. You can post here for free, no charge. Times are hard enough for all of us and if me offering this to you can help you, yippee!

If you need somewhere to vent and let off steam about anything horsey, or non-horsey, please feel free to and know that even if we can't actually help, we will try to understand and be there virtually for you.
It's important to Keep Talking, to anyone, just keep that communication going.

This "cost of living crisis" is getting to all of us, the media are constantly going on about prices rising, bills rising, jobs lost etc. It's all doom and gloom.
Spot a good deal somewhere ? Please share it with us.
Found a yummy recipe online that doesn't cost the earth to make ? We'll try it.

Any problems logging in, please reply to this email and I'll get you sorted out.

Thank you
Trish (admin for Tracing Equines and Tackroom Gossip)
www.tracingequines.co.uk

NVQ Horse Care - Level 1 notes

Notes that may help anyone going for their BHS Stage 1 exam or doing their NVQ level 1 or 2 in Horse Care and Riding
This forum is read only
TracingEquines
Site Admin
Posts: 5160
Joined: 09 Sep 2011, 11:22 pm
Location: Home

NVQ Horse Care - Level 1 notes

Post by TracingEquines »

This topic consists of stable management notes, that I took when studying for my NVQ Horse Care - Level 1 exam (back in 1996-1998), and is intended to help people studying for exams or anyone wishing to learn more about looking after horses. On the syllabus, the writing in blue coincides with the appropriate article in this section.

NVQ Horse Care - Level 1

Units 1 - 5 Compulsory

* * * * * * * * * *

Unit 1 - Assisting With Routine Care

Element 1.1 - Maintain Accomodation

Element 1.2 - Provide Food & Water

Element 1.3 - Apply Horse Clothing

Element 1.4 - Maintain Saddlery and Clothing

Mucking Out

Skipping Out

Complete Disinfection

Bedding

Rules Of Feeding

Rules Of Watering

The Importance Of Watering and Hygiene

Bulk Feeds

Hay

Concentrate Feeds

Rugs

The Safety and Care Of Equipment

Tack Cleaning


* * * * * * * * * *

Unit 2 - Serving Facilities

Element 2.1 - Receive and Store Food and Bedding

Element 2.2 - Maintain Yards and Surrounding Areas

* * * * * * * * * *

Unit 3 - Handling Horses From The Ground

Element 3.1 - Release Horses Into An Enclosure

Element 3.2 - Catch Horses

An Ideal Field

Field Care


* * * * * * * * * *

Unit 4 - Preparing Horses For Use Under Supervision

Element 4.1 - Carry Out Pre and Post Riding Exercise Routines

Element 4.2 - Prepare A Horse For Presentation

Element 4.3 - Clean and Groom Horses

Some Rules On Fitting A Saddle and Bridle

Washing A Horse

Grooming

Shoeing


* * * * * * * * * *

Unit 5 - Liasing With Callers and Colleagues

Element 5.1 - Receive and Assist Callers

Element 5.2 - Maintain Working Relations With Other Members Of Staff

* * * * * * * * * *

Questions

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Questions

Notes
TracingEquines
Site Admin
Posts: 5160
Joined: 09 Sep 2011, 11:22 pm
Location: Home

Re: NVQ Horse Care - Level 1 notes

Post by TracingEquines »

Mucking Out

These photos show a straw bed before and after I mucked it out. It took me 20 minutes.

When I muck out, this is the procedure that I use

* I tie the horse up using a quick release knot or if possible I turn the horse out

* I collect a wheelbarrow, fork, brush and shovel

* I remove the water buckets from the stable

* Using a fork I remove the droppings

* I throw and bank up the clean straw, against one side of the stable

* I remove the wet bedding

* I sweep the floor, if possible, I leave the bed up to allow the floor to dry

* I put the bed down and add fresh bedding

* I empty, scrub and refill the water buckets

* I untie the horse

* I sweep outside the stable and surrounding area

* I empty my wheelbarrow and put it and my tools away

(oh gawd :roll: spot the mistake!)
TracingEquines
Site Admin
Posts: 5160
Joined: 09 Sep 2011, 11:22 pm
Location: Home

Re: NVQ Horse Care - Level 1 notes

Post by TracingEquines »

Skipping Out

This is the procedure I use when I skip out

* I tie the horse up

* I collect a wheelbarrow, fork, brush and skip

* Using a fork I remove the droppings

* I shake the bed and if necessary I add fresh bedding

* I sweep back the bed

* I refill the water buckets and clean them, if necessary

* I untie the horse

* I empty the skip and put my tools away
TracingEquines
Site Admin
Posts: 5160
Joined: 09 Sep 2011, 11:22 pm
Location: Home

Re: NVQ Horse Care - Level 1 notes

Post by TracingEquines »

Complete Disinfection

This is how I disinfect a stable

* I remove the horse

* I remove all the bedding

* I use a disinfectant and follow the instructions carefully

* I swill the stable, paying particular attention to the doorway and the edges of the stable, where the floor and walls meet

* I sweep all of the excess liquid out

* I allow the floor to dry

* I replace the bedding using fresh straw

* I replace the horse
TracingEquines
Site Admin
Posts: 5160
Joined: 09 Sep 2011, 11:22 pm
Location: Home

Re: NVQ Horse Care - Level 1 notes

Post by TracingEquines »

Bedding

Why is it necessary to use Bedding ?

* To prevent injury when horse is lying down

* For hygiene and health

* To prevent draughts, keep in the warmth

* To encourage the horse to stale, absorb urine

* Comfort

The properties of good Bedding

* Dry, soft, absorbent

* Clean, dust free, good quality

* Easily obtainable and disposable

* Good heat conductor

Types of Bedding

Straw

WHEAT STRAW is the best type of straw bedding. It is warm, comfortable and easy to handle. It permits free drainage

Horses are inclined to eat OAT STRAW. It is more absorbent than wheat straw but it does get more soggy

BARLEY STRAW is better than oat straw because it doesn't get quite as soggy. It is quite prickly, but horses still eat it. It is less expensive than wheat straw

<--- The straw is stored on a raised surface and in a dry area

Advantages of straw
- a good drainage bedding
- attractive, "soft"
- relatively cheap

Disadvantages of straw
- dusty
- can be short stalked
- is often eaten by the horse

Shavings

When it is kept white, it is a clean and comfortable bed. It gives a lot of support to the horse's feet, so it is used to support the pedal bone, in cases of laminitis. It is economical, but it may be dusty. Drains must be closed when it is used.

This shows shavings in their baled form --->

Advantages of shavings
- economical, when deep littered
- absorbent
- not normally eaten

Disadvantages of shavings
- becomes hard work when mucking out is needed
- can be dusty when first laid

Paper

Paper is available in two types; shredded and diced and in dust-free bales. Paper provides a very absorbent bed, that is warm in winter and cool in summer. Paper discourages horses and ponies from eating their bed. Unless the paper has been specially treated, the ink can rub off the paper, especially when wet.

Advantages of paper - dust-free, absorbent, cheap

Disadvantages of paper - difficult to manage
TracingEquines
Site Admin
Posts: 5160
Joined: 09 Sep 2011, 11:22 pm
Location: Home

Re: NVQ Horse Care - Level 1 notes

Post by TracingEquines »

Rules Of Feeding

1 - Feed little and often

2 - Feed plenty of bulk food

3 - Feed according to age, temperament, work being done and size

4 - Make no sudden changes to the diet

5 - Keep to a regular feeding time

6 - Feed good quality and clean fodder only

7 - Feed something succulent every day

8 - Do not feed immediately before and after exercise

9 - Always water before feeding

10 - Keep feed utensils and managers clean
TracingEquines
Site Admin
Posts: 5160
Joined: 09 Sep 2011, 11:22 pm
Location: Home

Re: NVQ Horse Care - Level 1 notes

Post by TracingEquines »

Rules Of Watering

1 - A constant supply of fresh water should always be available

2 - If this is not possible, water should be offered at least 3 times a day in winter and at least 6 times a day in summer

3 - If water is not constantly available, allow 30-60 minutes after feeding before watering; but always water before feeding

4 - Do not give artificially warm water

5 - If buckets of water are left constantly with the horse, they must be changed and the buckets scrubbed twice a day and refilled as necessary

6 - Horses deprived from water should not be given as much as they can drink. Give small quantities frequently until the system is back to normal

7 - Do not allow the horse to drink for 3-4 hours before racing or any fast work

8 - During continous work, water every 2 hours

This photo shows buckets in tyres as a method of watering in the stable
TracingEquines
Site Admin
Posts: 5160
Joined: 09 Sep 2011, 11:22 pm
Location: Home

Re: NVQ Horse Care - Level 1 notes

Post by TracingEquines »

The Importance Of Watering & Hygiene

The Importance Of Watering

Water helps circulation, digestion, excretion, it quenches thirst and helps to regulate the horse's temperature. Water makes up 80 % of the horse's body

The Importance Of Hygiene

Water has to be changed at least twice a day, in the stable, because it is healthier and beneficial to the horse
TracingEquines
Site Admin
Posts: 5160
Joined: 09 Sep 2011, 11:22 pm
Location: Home

Re: NVQ Horse Care - Level 1 notes

Post by TracingEquines »

Bulk Feeds

Bran - Bran is a by product of wheat. It is broad, pink coloured, flaky, not dusty and is sweet smelling. It is easily digested as it has a low feeding value. When fed wet, Bran is used as a laxative. Feeding it dry has an opposite effect.

Chop/Chaff - Good chaff is good hay chopped. It adds bulk to feed. Oat straw can be mixed in with it. It prevents the bolting of food. Mollychop is chaff mixed with molassess. This is an excellent bulk feed and can be used as an additive or appetizer

Sugar Beet Pulp - This is fattening, energy producing and easily digestable. It should be soaked for 24 hours before feeding. If it isnt and the horse takes a drink, it will swell in the stomach causing acute and dangerous colic
TracingEquines
Site Admin
Posts: 5160
Joined: 09 Sep 2011, 11:22 pm
Location: Home

Re: NVQ Horse Care - Level 1 notes

Post by TracingEquines »

Hay

There are 2 types of hay; MEADOW hay and SEED hay. Meadow hay is cut from permanent pastures. It contains a great variety of grasses. Seed hay is sown as a rotation crop. It is a 1, 2, 3 year lay and the best hay usually comes from a 1st year lay usually taken in June. Newly cut hay will prove indisgestable to the horse so Seed hay should be stored for 12 month and Meadow hay 18 months before feeding it to the horse

The properties of good Hay

- Smell and taste sweet
- Colour
- Crisp to touch
- Bright and clean
- Not mouldy or dusty

The quality of Hay depends on -

- Grasses at which it is composed
- Soil from which it has been grown
- The time of year when it was first cut
- The way it has been made
- How it has been stored

Types of Hay

Best quality contains
- Clover
- Timothy
- Rye
- Coxfoot
- Crested Dog Tail
- Kidney Retch
- Fresque

2nd quality contains
- Vernals (sweet)
- Vectures
- Yorkshire Fog
- Moor Grasses
- Reeds
- Rushes
- Most Clover Types

3rd quality contains
- Thistles
- Dock
- Weed
- Nettles
Locked

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests