Frequently Asked Questions
The Units do not seem to Follow the Topics?
When the Syllabus was designed it was difficult to say what is the most important part of the course. If you do not know about safety, you may have an accident, if your horse management is insufficient your horses may be sick and you can not make an income, if your knowledge of the teaching tasks is not sufficient your lessons are bad and students do not want to come back. So, everything is equally important and related, but we arranged the Units so there is a logical progression. You complete the horse management before you teach it to students; you learn coaching principles before you start teaching, and you have your personal riding signed off before you teach a student to canter.
What support do I get?
horseridingcoach.com will offer as much support as possible while you are doing the course. Some topics have a support DVDs. We also help via phone, internet and fax. Always feel free to contact your tutor.
How do I apply for Centrelink support?
The full course attracts 2 years of Centrelink related payments for full time students. If you are eligible for support you must order the first section of the course. Make a note on your order form that you wish to apply with Centrelink. We will then enclose an enrolment confirmation letter with your first order to take to Centrelink. Students receiving Centrelink payments must abide by a Study schedule. They are basically committed to buying one unit each month and completing the theory component and some practical work to be considered "full time" students. This means that you have accessed the study material of the whole course in the first year, which gives you an additional year to finalise further practical components of the course.
How can I pay for the course?
You can pay with: Amex, Bankcard, Mastercard, Visa Card, Personal Cheque, Postal Order or Cash. For bank transfers contact horseridingcoach.com direct.
Where do I start?
The core of the course is the Certificate III. This is a recognised vocational qualification and as such sufficient for employment and insurance. Once you are teaching and making an income from instructing, you can then add further units from the Certificate IV that are relevant to you, such as teaching intermediate skills on the flat and over jumps.
However, the opportunity is there to gain additional qualification with relatively little extra effort. Bo doing the core units of the course (unit 001-006) you are able to teach young children and beginners the very basic skills. As the information in the course covers the theory component of the EFA and AHRC level I, you can use it to gain their qualifications and have your signatures from horseridingcoach.com transferred to these other systems.
The AHRC Level I is basically for people who want to teach riders in a riding school/trailriding centre or as their own business. The EFA Level I is suitable for competitive riders, who generally teach riders, who own their own horses.
How long does it take to do the Instructor's Course?
That is a question which is difficult to answer. It depends on how much time you have. If you have been in the industry already for a long time we help you formalize your knowledge and make it up to date to current industry requirements.
We have had one student who had a lot of experience already who completed the Certificate III in 3 months. It also depends how far you wish to go. See the explanation above. However, experience has told us, however, that if you have only been a recreational horse owner it usually takes about two years to complete the entire course. One year for the theory and one additional year for the practical. It is also a self paced course (unless you are on Centrelink related payments), which means there is no time limit to it, such as you find in schools or Universities. You can go as slow or as fast as you wish. Some students do the theory first, and then finish the practical at a more convenient stage. Completed units stay valid, and can be updated at a slight cost if important changes and upgrades have taken place.
The course was originally written for people without direct access to instructors, being away from population centres. They could do the theory and have a handbook all in the one document, a hand book you can keep for life as horse riding and teaching has not changed over many hundreds of years.
When can I start the Instructor's Course?
You can start now. It is an Adult education course with rolling intakes. This means that you can start at any time, pace yourself, and take as much or as little time as it takes you to reach the competencies required.
Where can I do my Practical Assessments?
A number of practical tasks can be accepted through “evidence” such as a reference from an employer or if you have extensive experience by a Statuary declaration from yourself. You need to do your other practical tasks with a horseridingcoach.com approved trainer and assessor. You will find a list of Assessors associated with horseridingcoach.com. by going back to Equine Training Courses and follow the link to National Assessors. You can also nominate your own assessor. Requirements for assessors are listed in the Student Information Booklet. We work in with the existing networks of assessors for EFA and AHRC, but also accept assessors with suitable qualification outside those organizations.
As we have a large number of students in remote areas who have no or little access to assessors there is the opportunity to be assessed by video. In the texts there are clear recommendations and suggestions regarding video assessment.
Where can I do my practice teaching?
You can do your teaching under supervision of your assessor, in a riding centre, but also at pony clubs, adult riding clubs or indeed with the students you may be teaching already or in peer group situations.
Who can do the course?
Anyone with an interest in horses, riding and coaching can follow this correspondence course and study the various parts at their own pace. You can either study it as a career path or just to improve your knowledge and your understanding of riding. There are no age restrictions. You can start the course at any time, and there is no time limit for completion. Some students have actually started their studies whilst still at school.
Why should I do your course to become qualified with AHRC or EFA?
Our course offers you a genuine alternative as well as a path to the AHRC and EFA qualifications. First of all there is no obligation to go any further. The Certificate III and IV are Nationally approved Vocational Qualifications. They are competency based, so once you are signed off as competent, you do not have to sit any further expensive and nerve wrecking exams. You have the qualification to teach that you can hang on the wall!
However, if you feel you want to gain other qualifications the following information may be helpful:
The main business of the AHRC is to run and promote their equestrian centres, and for the EFA to organise and administer competitions. As a Registered Training Organisation our main purpose is educating and training people. We pride ourselves in being student friendly, we offer advise and support and have systems in place to help people to get the qualification they want and need. Also as an approved course you can get Centre link support for two years if you are eligible, so you can get financial help during your study. Because of our many years in the industry, we know the needs and problems trainees, employers and the sporting/ industry organisations encounter. This is why we have developed all the study materials (EXTENSIVE TEXTS AND DVDS)and give you the answers and “all you need to know and do” to make it as straight forward as possible. Of course getting through it all needs your input, as this is not an easy vocation, but at least we provide the “do’s and don’ts”, the lesson plans, the necessary horse management, the safety musts, the explanations for progressive step by step training. By studying at home, you are prepared when you go to do your practical assessments, and save a lot of time (and money). After all the organisations assess the practical aspects of the course, but usually you have to find the information yourself. This course provides all this. Just work through it step by step and follow the path to your final goal. As the course is flexible you can do a lot of theory first as it suits you. You can do practical sections in blocks. You can choose the units to suit your personal needs. For every unit completed you can apply to receive a Statement of Attainment, so you can decide for yourself how far you wish to go.
How does it work?
You pay for each Unit as you order, study the material, and answer the assessment tasks at the end of the text. You then send your work to us, and we mark it and provide you with feedback. The practical tasks are done with a horseridingcoach.com approved assessor. You can do many of those tasks in blocks or if you work in a riding centre as you go along.
Of course you can not become a riding instructor only by studying the theory; you have to actually ride and teach. When you are ready you can decide how and with whom you will do this. Assessors must be approved by horseridingcoach.com.
Who can assess me?
There is a list of approved National Assessors on our website.
Here is the link: http://www.horseridingcoach.com/assessors.php
You can also nominate your own Assessor if he or she is not on this list. Page 3 of your Assessment guide has a nomination form. All Assessors need to be approved by horseridingcoach.com and have signed an agreement after we have checked out their credentials.
Who can be an Assessor?
Horseridingcoach.com links with the existing assessor networks of both the AHRC and EFA. Students wishing to sit for AHRC level I examinations are advised to be assessed by AHRC Assessors, and those wishing to go through the EFA system are advised to use EFA Coach Educators. These Assessors are easy to check out for us, as they are listed on a database, and there is a direct link with our course to the requirements of these qualifications.
However, students who are aiming for Certificate III and IV can also chose other, sufficiently qualified persons who do not necessarily belong to either organisation and may be acceptable. Students nominate the training centre and assessors they wish to use during the course, and once approved by horseridingcoach.com Assessors enter into an agreement with horseridingcoach.com.
It is important to have the Assessor approved by horseridingcoach.com and all paperwork sorted before starting the assessment process, as signatures of unapproved persons can not be accepted.
To make sure that the standard of the course is maintained Assessors must fulfill the following requirements:
- Have skill specific coaching qualifications , minimum AHRC Level II, EFA Level I or BHSAI
- Have minimum of 5 years of industry experience
- Have the Assessment units of the TAA04 Training Package or equivalent (for instance: BSZ401A, BSZ402A and BSZ403A or Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment)
- Have access to the full set of text books & course materials (can be purchased at reduced cost from horseridingcoach.com or can be the student’s)
- Have attended a horseridingcoach.com Assessors workshop or have been inducted in the horseridingcoach.com assessment procedures through booklet and/or personal contact
- Sign an agreement with horseridingcoach.com
- Have access to the full set of text books & course materials (can be accessed though horseridingcoach.com or through the trainee)
- Have access to the Assessment Guide
- Fulfill relevant legal obligations
- Show proof of Public Liability insurance
So if your instructor fits these requirements, please nominate him or her, and we contact them and send them the necessary paperwork, and Guidelines to sign them up.
If you can not find an assessor you can have yourself video-ed performing the tasks. (This could possibly be with the help and supervision of your regular instructor, who is not signed up).
For information regarding video assessment read the flyer Tips for Video Assessment.
Practical Tasks For Certificate III
The practical component of the Certificate III is divided into two sections:
- Tasks that need to be demonstrated
- Tasks that can be passed on evidence
The tasks that need to be demonstrated are listed in the Assessment Guide (you need version 30/5/06. The Assessment Guide is issued with unit 001 or available for free download with unit 001 on line, or in print @ $30.00). These tasks need to be assessed by a nominated, approved assessor or can be video-ed and sent to us on a video of DVD.
Assessors can be nominated by filling out and sending us the form on page 3 of the Assessment Guide. Nominated Assessors, who are not already listed on our website, will be contacted by us and assessed if they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. Once a new assessor is approved, we will let you know that you can go ahead with them and let them sign off your Assessment Guide.
Once a completed section has been assessed, send us the signed pages of the assessment Guide, and we will record this on your Student Progress Report.
The evidence needed for the evidence tasks can be provided in several ways. It can be a reference from an employer (current or past), professionals (veterinarians, farriers for tasks in their specialized fields), a qualified coach or a Statutory Declaration.
Any statement must clearly state the task, to what topic number it refers and how the experience was gained. (For instance: having owned horses for 6 years or working in racing stables etc.)
The tasks that can be evidenced are:
Building Block 1 - Horse management:
13.2 Having worked with horses in stables or yards for 15 hours, or having owned and cared for horses
13.4 Washing a horse, including a sheath
13.5 Cleaning an saddle and bridle, taking apart and reassembling a bridle
13.6 Correctly fitting a variety of items such as nosebands, martingales, breastplates or cruppers
13.9 Feeding and watering horses for at least 15 hours in stables/yards, or
own horses
13.11 Having performed a clinical examination of a horse, inspected teeth, assisted a vet, applied basic first aid, applied bandages, given or described how to give an intra muscular injection and used common restraints on a horse
Personal Riding Skills:
Evidence of personal riding skills can be accepted in the way of competition results, video footage, pony club certificates (at the required level) or through regular assessment by an approved assessor.
Tips for Video Assessment
The option of video assessment is becoming more popular for many students. In my opinion nothing beats having face to face contact with a mentor/assessor, as you receive immediate feedback. However, as we are having so many students in more remote areas the video assessment is a great option, and at times very cost effective.
If you don’t have a video camera, see if you can ask a friend who has one to spend some time with you and do a block of tasks. Alternatively, people who are already teaching, see if any of the relatives of your students would be happy to film you when you are teaching their child or partner.
Before you set out to get yourself filmed:
- Always run through the scenario and practice before you actually film yourself (the other day I had some one doing “the Words of Command” to students who had no idea where to go in an arena. To save having to get them organized from scratch while filming, sort it all out first, and then send us the final take).
• So practice teaching the task a few times, before filming.
- Identify yourself; we need to see your face and some proof of identity, especially the first time you send a video.
- Make sure I can hear you. Ideally you have a small microphone attached to you, like on TV. If you do not have this, make sure you face the camera. Stop and start the task and filming if necessary, to make sure you are in the right position.
- State the task you wish to have assessed. Talk yourself through it if it concerns a horse management task or provide a lesson plan if it is a lesson. Provide a critique of the task on paper if you wish. Sometimes minor things are not exactly as you want it, and pointing this out, shows you do know.
- Obviously you have to be aware of safety issues. Remove rubbish, tie up the dog.
- Flat riding must be in an enclosed arena with letters, so we can see the dimensions of the figures you ride.
Good preparation of the tasks produces a better success rate, and avoids disappointment. Unfortunately at times we have to send the tapes back, and ask to do things again. The cost of video assessment is relatively low, as we charge only $30 per half hour video (minimum payment). This means watching it (sometimes 2x to make sure we see things correctly), and then writing a report, which also takes a fair bit of time. If you wish to get your tape back, please include $5 for postage.
Please, don’t forget to include your payment when you send us your tape.
Good luck!
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