Career Focused – Industry Ready

Equine Studies Courses

Equine Studies is a comprehensive, multifaceted discipline centered on the £4 billion equestrian industry. Far from just riding, this subject explores the complete biology, health, behaviour, nutrition, and welfare of horses, alongside modern yard management and event logistics.

It bridges the gap between recreational passion and elite professional sport, training students to understand horses from the ground up. Whether focusing on standard husbandry, rehabilitation, or commercial facility operations, Equine Studies equips students to thrive in a highly demanding, globally recognised professional sector.

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Career Pathways with an Equine Qualification

Explore Careers in Equine and Animal Care

Stables Manager

Equine Veterinary Technician

Horse Riding Instructor

Equine Welfare Officer

Horse Behaviour Specialist

Facilities and Resources

Fantastic Equestrian Centre
Stabling for 56 horses
2 yards and 3 arenas for student use

Take a 360-degree tour Show Jumping Schedule

Skills

As part of this course you will gain employability skills in the following areas –

Horse Handling Skills
Riding Proficiency
Equine Health Management
Stable Management
Communication Skills
Teamwork
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Customer Service Skills

Why study an Equine Studies course?

BCA combines academic learning with practical experience to help students build a strong understanding of their chosen subject.

BCA is an approved training hub up to BHSAI level and regularly hosts official BHS examinations.

Our curriculum is directly mapped to industry standards, giving you the integrated opportunity to train toward your BHS Progressive Riding Tests alongside your main qualification. Our students train at a premier Equestrian Centre featuring stabling for over 50 horses, a fully lit indoor arena, two sprawling outdoor arenas with premium waxed sand surfaces, a British Eventing (BE) cross-country course, and extensive grass rides.

BCA hosts regular, large-scale commercial equestrian competitions, including dressage and show jumping. Our students don’t just observe; they are actively involved in the real-time organisation, scoring, and running of these major events. Every equine program places a massive emphasis on industry readiness. All riding tracks feature dual-weekly riding sessions and mandatory weekly routine yard duties – including scheduled weekend rotations (8am-5pm). This structure builds the work ethic, resilience, and soft skills required to step into equestrian roles.

Entry Requirements

We offer Levels 2-3 in Equine Studies. Level 2 requires 4 GCSEs at grade 3 or above, and Level 3 requires 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above. These must include English, Maths, and Science.

Experienced Staff

Our team of staff have a range of knowledge from all areas of the industry and come from a variety of backgrounds. We have members who have worked practically within the industry, as well as those who have gone down the academic route.

Lessons

Face-to-face lectures and seminars make up part of the student experience, alongside a weekly practical day of internal industry placement. All courses include 2 riding sessions a week.

Develop Equine Studies Skills

A high degree of importance is placed on the development of the practical skills students will be using within the equestrian workplace. Working in the equine industry can be highly rewarding but it requires hard work and dedication. You will need to be comfortable with working outdoors in all weathers and you will undertake a wide range of practical tasks working within teams of students and staff.

Is this course right for you?

If you’re passionate about horses and dream of building a career in the equine industry, this course could be the perfect fit. Whether you want to manage a professional competition yard, become a qualified riding instructor, organise equestrian events, or work in equine welfare and nutrition, you’ll develop the practical, riding, and management skills needed for a wide range of careers.

The ideal Equine Studies student is:

Passionate about horses and committed to making equine care a lifestyle as well as a career.
Hard-working and dedicated, with the motivation to handle early mornings, late evenings, and the daily responsibilities of yard life.
Compassionate and patient, with a genuine concern for animal welfare and an understanding of horse behaviour.
Observant and detail-oriented, able to monitor equine health, wellbeing, and performance.
Physically fit and resilient, comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.
A strong team player, able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively in a safe, professional yard environment.

Equine at BCA Video

Watch our video to find out more about the facilities and hear from our students.