Horse care courses, stable management lessons and equestrian workshops
There is more to horses than just riding and, for those who want to learn more, our knowledgeable and enthusiastic team of instructors will be delighted to teach you. Perhaps you are considering horse ownership or you just want to know a bit more about what is involved in the care of horses? You may just want to learn the basics, such as putting on a bridle, or maybe you want to take your British Horse Society exams? In either case, we offer something to suit you.
Wimbledon Village Stables is a fully-accredited British Horse Society Approved Training Centre so you can be guaranteed that you will be offered the best possible training in all aspects of horse care and our experienced and friendly team will ensure that it is an interesting and enjoyable experience.
We offer one-hour workshops on key topics and we also have evening courses which are held during term-times, full details of which are outlined below. All our courses are available to Members and non-members. The sessions are relaxed and non-pressured and the groups are small and everyone is made to feel welcome. Please bring something on which to make notes and, for practical sessions, wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
If you require more personalised or intensive instruction, or if you just prefer to learn on a one-to-one basis, we can offer Private Horse Care and Stable Management Lessons from Tuesday through to Sunday (including evenings). These are £30 an hour for Members (£40 for Non-members).
Workshops: All you need to know about…
Throughout the year we hold Horse Care Workshops which are of particular interest to recreational riders as they cover topics which every horse rider needs to know – such as grooming, tacking up etc. They are designed to help participants become more confident and knowledgeable around horses and caring for horses. You do not need to have any previous experience and they are suitable for all levels of interest and aspiration.
Each of the workshops are repeated several times during the year and they are so popular that many people do them more than once! Keep an eye on the What’s On page to see dates and times when they are coming up. Most are FREE FOR MEMBERS
Tacking up workshop
Learning how to put a saddle and bridle on a horse or ‘tack up’ correctly is essential for safe riding and it is not a simple process! So don’t botch up your bridle or get your martingale in a muddle come along to his informative demo and let us show you how to carry your tack correctly, put a bridle and saddle on the horse and also untack at the end.
| Date & time | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| See Events Page for time & date and to book | 1 hour | Members: Free Non-members: £20 |
Grooming workshop
Grooming time is the perfect time to take note of a horse’s basic health and how he is feeling, so this session covers everything you need to know in order give your horse a relaxing and invigorating grooming session, and recognise any signs that your horse may not be feeling 100%. Become familiar with the many different brushes and tools available, learn how to pick out feet and wash a tail, and generally discover how to keep your horse looking immaculate.
| Date & time | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| See Events Page for time & date and to book | 1 hour | Members: Free Non-members: £20 |
Feeding & Basic Stable Management
Discover the fundamental principles of feeding; learn the basics of analysing type, weight and energy requirements in order to discover how much and how often to feed both concentrates (hard feed such as mixes and nuts) and fibre (hay, haylage and grass). We will also cover essential stable management such as the type of bedding to choose, how to care for the chosen bed and how to keep the horses’ environment clean and healthy. Literature summarising techniques and practices will be available to take home and use as reference.
| Date & time | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| See Events Page for time & date and to book | 1 hour | Members: Free Non-members: £20 |
Horse Psychology
Horses do not think like humans and their first basic thought is for their own safety and wellbeing. A horse’s motto is act first and think later. This is how they have survived over the years. In order to understand a little more about what makes horses ‘tick’ we need to look at the history of their relationship with people. Sign up to this very informative course to learn more. Literature summarising techniques and practices will be available to take home and use as reference.
| Date & time | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| See Events Page for time & date and to book | 1 hour | Members: Free Non-members: £20 |
Clipping & Trimming
Have you ever wondered why we clip horses and also how to do it. Why do all our horses look so smart? Just like people they need a trip to the salon every now and then. Come along to this informative workshop and find out all you need to know about clipping and trimming and you can even have a go yourself!
| Date & time | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| See Events Page for time & date and to book | 1 hour | Members: Free Non-members: £20 |
Plaiting & Show Preparation
All you need to know about plaiting and show preparation. Learn all about what is involved in preparing your horse for competition. This informative one hour lecture/demo will cover pulling manes and tails, plaiting manes and tails and the finishing touches needed to ensure your horse is ready for the show ring.
| Date & time | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| See Events Page for time & date and to book | 1 hour | Members: Free Non-members: £20 |
Horse Ownership
Have you ever thought about buying a horse but would like to know more about what’s involved in horse ownership? This incredibly informative course has been created for all those who have thought about buying a horse but would really like to know more about what’s practically involved before making a decision. This session will, through talks and practical demonstrations, impart all the basics of horse ownership along with the implications and responsibilities of becoming a horse owner. Literature summarising techniques and practices will be available to take home and use as reference.
| Date & time | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| See Events Page for time & date and to book | 1 hour | Members: Free Non-members: £20 |
British Horse Society Horse Knowledge & Care
BHS Stage I and II Horse Knowledge and Care Courses provide a complete and correct grounding in stable management and are a great way of improving your equine skills and knowledge. You do not need to be a BHS Member to participate, nor do you need to take an exam at the end.
For further information on the BHS Stages and a full syllabus please refer to the BHS website. Taking the BHS exams enables you to gain recognized qualifications from the UK’s leading body responsible for maintaining standards in equine tuition.
Stage I – Horse Knowledge and Care
This interesting and informative course will enhance your knowledge and improve your practical skills. You will learn all aspects of caring for horses from understanding horse behaviour, safe handling of horses, recognising signs of good health, be able to carry out routine tasks, such as tacking up, care of tack and tack fitting, rugging up, mucking out, bedding down and providing food and water, care of field kept horse, care of horses before and after work. Whether you want to have a career with horses or you just want to improve your knowledge – this is the course for you. The lessons are fun and interactive and invaluable for all horse enthusiasts. See BHS website for further information and for Exam dates and venues. You do not need to take the exam or be a horse owner to join this course!
Recommended Reading List: BHS Stage 1 Complete Training Manual, BHS Stage 1 Official Workbook Books and DVDs are available to buy from the BHS bookshop.
| Start date | Day | Time | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2023 | Tues | 7-8.15 pm | 9 weeks | Members: £250 Non-members: £350 |
Stage II – Horse Knowledge and Care
This Stage 2 course is invaluable for those who want a more in depth knowledge of the care and management of horses. Understanding of routine practices on a stable yard, your role, responsibilities and reporting lines, caring for horses on a day-to-day basis, recognising and assessing normal and abnormal behaviour and understanding when veterinary intervention may be required, fitting standard tack and travel equipment, prepare horses for presentation, feeding and an understanding of fitness, understanding of basic anatomy, location of key organs and the function of the digestive system See BHS website for further information and for Exam dates and venues. The lessons are fun and interactive and invaluable for all horse enthusiasts. You do not need to take the exam or be a horse owner to join this course!
Recommended Reading List: BHS Stage 2 Complete Training Manual, BHS Stage 2 Official Workbook Books and DVDs are available to buy from the BHS bookshop.
| Start date | Day | Time | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBC | TBC | 1.5 HOURS | 10 weeks | Members: £250 Non-members: £300 |
Join the BHS
The British Horse Society is a charity which provides welfare services to horses and advice for owners. They campaign and lobby for key equestrian issues on behalf of all horses and riders and offer the world’s leading equestrian qualifications and approvals system.
The British Horse Society Welfare Department have numerous leaflets and guides on the welfare and care of horses and ponies.