Equine Performance

Course overview

Immerse yourself in the field of professional horse performance and gain applied knowledge and practical experience on this foundation degree. Focus on the latest industry practices and undertake work-based learning. Develop your skills to work with horses at the highest competitive levels and benefit from a course with 100% student satisfaction (NSS 2020).

This hands-on course will give you the experience required to work within the performance horse industry. This could be as a top-level groom, yard manager, or as a coordinator within a governing body or industry organisation. You’ll focus on maximising equine performance with an emphasis on training, management, and the nutritional requirements of competing horses. Industry-focused modules will prepare you to make important decisions in your chosen career.

You’ll develop your skills while undertaking valuable industry experience to ensure you’re ready for your career when you graduate from the course. You’ll benefit from industry-leading facilities, including our commercial equine therapy and rider performance centres. Our relationships with local and national equine businesses will provide opportunities for you to gain a feel for life in industry.

What you'll study

This course is comprised of both compulsory and optional modules, which you'll be able to choose from to suit your interests and career goals. Optional modules change each year in line with student, industry and research demands - you'll find recent topics studied below. You can attend introductory sessions for optional modules before deciding which ones to study.

You'll cover a broad range of fundamental equine topics through compulsory modules, from managing performance horses to exercise physiology and performance as well as a work placement in industry.

In addition to these topics, you’ll have a wide range of optional modules to choose from, allowing you to specialise your learning to suit your interests and career goals. Optional modules change each year in line with student, industry and research demands - you'll find recent topics studied below. You can attend introductory sessions for optional modules before deciding which ones to study.

Level four (year one)

In your first year, you’ll study a wide range of topics as you assess and hone current industry practices, and begin to understand what’s involved in the management of equine facilities. You’ll explore health and disease, look at equine anatomy and gain an understanding of acceptable industry standards of practice. You’ll also complete a work placement on Hartpury’s commercial yard to gain real-world experience.

Integrated placement year (optional)

An optional integrated placement year between your first and second years gives you the opportunity to put your knowledge and skills into practice and gain valuable industry experience. Many students gain their graduate roles with the organisation with which they undertook their work placement.

Level five (year two)

During your second year, you’ll tailor your studies to suit your interests and career goals through a range of exciting optional modules. In addition, you'll complete compulsory modules looking at equine performance and physiology.

As well as a placement in the equine industry, you’ll be able to choose from a selection of modules to tailor your interests further. On successful completion of this course, you’ll have the opportunity to top up your foundation degree to a full honours degree in one year.

Please visit our document library for more module information.

How you'll study

We're committed to supporting you to fulfil your unique potential, which is why you'll receive a minimum of 15 hours of scheduled teaching time per week in your first year - this is 25% above the UK average.

Your support network

You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one to be the best you can be. This will range from your personal tutor and specialist academic support team (our Achievement and Success Centre) to dedicated wellbeing and employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) centres.

Your learning experiences

You'll experience a range of teaching methods to strengthen your digestion of topics, including lectures, workshops and practical sessions, as well as supported work placement learning as part of many courses.

Your career

Each year of your course will be made up of two semesters, within which you’ll study compulsory and optional modules on different industry-focused topics, enabling you to develop your own unique portfolio of knowledge, skills and experience, ready for your career.

Further details

Our commercial Equine Therapy Centre also offers opportunities for you to gain industry experience ready for your future career – either on work placements or as part of voluntary roles.

Field trips and guest lecturers

Industry professionals in lectures form an important part of your learning, enabling you to experience different businesses, careers and best practices.

Recent trips have included visiting the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, as well as the KWPN Stallion Show. Extra costs are required – please see the fees tab.

Recent guest lecturers have included vets, veterinary physiotherapists, equine nutritionists and an Equestrian Health and Safety Consultant.

Graduate destinations

As an Equine Performance graduate, you may go on to complete a one-year top-up to a full degree, in Equine Management. However, you may also go into industry either directly with horses or within larger organisations, as you will have acquired a range of transferable skills.

Our careers team can support you to find and prepare to secure your perfect role. Recent graduate destinations have included:

• BSc (Hons) Level 6 Equine Management
• Paralympic Groom, Canadian National Team
• Racing Secretary
• Event Organiser
• Governing Body Coordinator

Equine Therapy Centre

You’re encouraged to get involved at our on-site Hartpury Therapy Centre, where you can spend time on placement, learning to work with horses on the high-speed treadmill, water treadmill, and other diagnostic facilities.

Equine Events Centre

Our equestrian centre plays host to a number of affiliated and unaffiliated shows and events throughout the year as well as various lectures and demonstrations. Our international events attract competitors, sponsors and spectators from across the globe. You'll have the opportunity to volunteer to be a part of these events, where you can experience behind the scenes and make valuable industry connections, as well as see the best horses and riders compete.

Study spaces

Our University Learning Centre has books, journals, ebooks, computers and breakout study spaces. In addition, we have a Study Lounge – an informal space with sports equipment, study booths and chill-out spaces to support both studying and relaxation.

Tuition fees and financial support

Please visit our student finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs.

Below, you'll find extra costs associated with studying this course.

Clothing and footwear (circa £100)

• Lab coat - Although not essential, you may wish to purchase your own laboratory coat which costs approximately £18.

• Yard clothing – You’ll be required to attend practical sessions on the yard, for which you’ll need to wear waterproof outerwear and appropriate footwear. A Hartpury equine clothing pack is available at a cost of approximately £75 but is not a compulsory purchase.

Optional field trips (circa £500)

Students are encouraged to engage in various trips and visits as part of the programme. Additional costs may occur – please enquire on application.

Accommodation and living costs

Please visit our student accommodation page for details.

Livery

We have stabling for 230 horses on campus. If you're interested in having your horse at Hartpury on DIY livery while you study, please visit our livery page for details and costs.

Equine Academy

If you have the talent and drive to develop your skills as an equestrian athlete alongside your studies, you may be eligible to join our Equine Academy. For further details including costs, please visit our Equine Academy page.