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What is the British Horse Society?
The British Horse Society is the Governing Body of most equestrian sports, and is involved with the majority of matters relating to the horse industry, in the United Kingdom. One of our most important responsibilities is the Inspection and Approval of Riding Establishments and the setting of standards and examinations for those involved in a professional capacity in the horse industry.
The Society has, at present, over seven hundred equestrian centres on its Approved list in the United Kingdom. In addition, over 900 days of examinations for British Horse Society qualifications, from the most basic level at BHS Stage I to the highest at Fellowship level, were held during 1993. The candidates who sat these examinations numbered 13,437, from more than 40 countries.
Why USA?
Over the past few years the Society has received an ever increasing number of requests for inspection and approval of centers in the USA. Until very recently the Society was only able to accept centres within the UK and the Republic of Ireland for Approval. However, following consultations with the AHSA and USDF, this situation has now changed and, as a result, the Society is, initially, able to offer Approval to a limited number of centers in the USA. It is hoped to expand the scheme thereafter.
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What Do I Have to do to Meet the Criteria?
When the British Horse Society Inspector visits a new center he/she is looking for the following points.
- First impressions are important. The establishment must present a clean, neat and workmanlike picture The staff should be friendly and quick to help someone who does not know Ins or her way around.
- Care of the Horses and Ponies. The condition and suitability of the horses and ponies used in the center is of paramount importance. The good riding school horse is an absolute paragon and worth its weight in gold although it may not win prizes in a pleasure class. The animals must be in an acceptable condition and suitably schooled to do the work required of them. Stabling must be in good repair and suitable for the purpose. There should be adequate facilities for the effective isolation of sick or newly-arrived animals at the yard. There should also be a proper Fire Notice and adequate fire-fighting equipment. In barn stabling there must be two separate exits from the building. A check will be made on the Veterinary and Human First Aid Supplies (to include a qualified First Aider) and that an Accident Book is kept, the latter an essential requirement where members of the public are present. There should be an ample supply of good forage, hay, straw or other bedding in line with the number of animals at the center. All forage should be stored in a proper manner in rodent-proof bins and hay should be kept in barns out of the weather. Grazing should be properly maintained, reasonably free of droppings, etc., with adequate provision of water, sound fencing and securely gated. The ratio of horses to permanent acreage should be three acres to two horses/ponies to allow for effective rotation of grassland.
- Saddlery. Saddlery should be in good repair, clean, supple and suitable for the type of riding taught at the establishment. For instance where a school claims to teach side-saddle riding as one of its specialities, proper side-saddles should be found in the tack room.
- Teaching facilities. The size and construction of the indoor arena should be suitable for the instruction offered. The floor should be a good riding surface and properly maintained. It should be a safe effective facility with kicking boards--if fitted--in good repair. There should be no hanging wires or other protrusions which might catch the rider's arms or legs, and there should be an established "Door Drill." The gallery should be safe and well lit. The outside riding surface's should be of a safe and effective construction, properly fenced and capable of secure closure. The riding surface should be, as far as possible, capable of being ridden in all except extremes of weather. Stadium jumps should be of sufficient number and variety to allow instruction to be given. If there is a separate stadium jumping paddock, this must be capable of proper closure and the ground should not inhibit the instruction. Cross country fences should be of stout construction, safely sited, with due regard to the terrain. The whole emphasis is on effective, safe instruction being available at all times.
- The Lessons. Good instruction is a key element of the Approvals Scheme so the Inspector will always observe one or two lessons. The object is to assess the standard of instruction available and to consider the safety factors involved. Is there a check on saddlery, etc., by the instructor before the lesson begins or very soon after it starts? Are the animals used suitable for the work; how obedient are they; how well schooled? Is the lesson "worked up" in a safe and progressive manner? Does the instruction make sense and do the pupils appear to be enjoying it? The last of these is essential to the Riding School.
- Accommodation. Where accommodation is offered it should be clean and dry, lit properly and have adequate facilities for heating/cooling. There should be good washroom facilities with baths or showers, plus hot water available at all times for residents. Rooms should be reasonably well-decorated with proper provision for the storage of clothes etc. and the floor adequately covered. Kitchen and catering standards must be hygienic and conform to current regulations. Where children and young persons are taken at a Holiday Center or Camp, there should be adequate adult supervision, especially at night. Where livery services are provided, or student courses offered, there should be an acceptable form of contract.
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The Benefits
Approval offers confidence to clients and customers that they are using a first class establishment which has met the requirements of the British Horse Society. This should prove to be a very effective marketing tool.
Those centers who are accepted for inclusion in the British Horse Society Approval Scheme will have the advantage of the backing and expertise of the Society. In addition, those which specialize in training will be listed in the directory Where to Train, which will detail the qualifications of teaching staff, the level of horses available, the suitability of facilities and the training programs offered. This directory will be available throughout the world, and will be essential for students, as well as others, who wish to upgrade their qualifications. Holders of BHS qualifications are currently working in more than 80 countries worldwide. Formal recognition of these qualifications is being gained through the International Group for Qualifications in Training Horse and Rider, whose membership is currently twenty five countries and increasing. The BHS provides the Secretariat for this group.
The AHSA Service Company has confirmed that centers which gain BHS Approval will qualify for a substantial discount on insurance premiums.
The Horse World is becoming just that--a Horse "World." Horses are kept all over the world in various situations and standards of conditions. The industry has become world-wide both in a tourist sense and in the acceptance of qualifications. It is essential that the industry as a whole becomes more globally orientated. We all have a great deal to learn from each other as national boundaries become less important and international travel easier.
Further details can be obtained from:
Riding Schools & Recreational Riding,
The British Horse Society,
Stoneleigh Deer Park,
Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
England. CV8 2LR
Tel No: 01926 707794/707795 Fax No: 01926 707800
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