Equido Courses

Both our Equido courses are suitable for any person interested in or involved with horses, those looking for practical skills to help their own horses and those looking for alternative education. No prior equine experience required.

These are standalone courses which can be completed as individual modules or complete courses. Courses must be completed within 6 months – 1 year, however if modules are completed individually there is no time limit.

We currently offer two Equido courses

  • Foundation Level

  • Introductory Level

These courses are both classroom and practical based and participants get hands on experience with our ponies. Teaching methods for these modules/courses are tailored to suit the learning preferences of the participants. Alongside learning something new and gaining a formal qualification (introductory level only) the course participants can also expect to benefit from improved social engagement and communication, increased confidence and trust, and a sense of personal achievement.

Further information about each course and module content can be found below.

Foundation Level Equido

The foundation level course is best suited for children aged 4+ and those with additional support needs. This is a simplified version of the introductory level course. All participants will be presented with certificates at the end of each module. This course consists of five modules.

Module 1
Basic Horse Care

1) Basic Horse Care
2) How to correctly fit a headcollar
3) Identify the signs of a healthy horse
4) Identify different behaviours
5) Signs something may be wrong

Module 2
Bedding & Mucking Out

1) Types of bedding used
2) Reason for bedding
3) Identify the correct tools required

Module 3
Handling the Horse

1) How to approach a horse in the field
2) How to catch a horse from the field
3) How to approach a horse in the stable
4) How to work with a horse in the stable

Module 4
Points of the Horse & Colours

1) Identify common colours
2) Identify common markings
3) Name various parts of the horse

Module 5
Tack

1) Identify correct items of tack
2) Why you need to clean tack
3) Why its important rugs fit correctly?
4) Items that can be used under the saddle

A natural progression route from this course would be to complete the Introductory Level Equido Course.

Introductory Level Equido

The introductory level course is more suited to children aged 11+ and those with additional support needs. This course and its modules provide participants with a worldwide recognised Equido qualification (Lantra – the national training organization for the land based and environmental industries). Certificates are presented upon completion of each module. This course consists of ten modules.

Module 1
Points of the Horse & Colours

1) Name the 23 main points of the horse
2) Identify various colours and markings
3) Identify equine gender
4) Identify how a horse is measured

Module 2
Bedding & Mucking Out

1) Purpose of bedding
2) Types of bedding
3) Methods of using bedding
4) Maintaining the muckheap

Module 3
Basic Horse Care

1) Main indicators your horse is healthy
2) Observing normal horse behaviour

Module 4
Field Care

1) Identify various types of suitable fencing
2) Identify different types of shelter both natural and man made
3) Specification of gates required
4) What other animal would provide company for a horse

Module 5
Feeding

1) Why do we feed horses?
2) Rules of good feeding
3) Identifying various feed stuffs available
4) Identify the main parts of the digestive system of the horse
5) Identify nutrients required by the horse
6) Identify types of roughage available

Module 6
Grooming

1) Why do we groom horses?
2) How to groom a horse
3) Identify the main contents of the grooming kit

Module 7
Handling the Horse

1) How to approach a horse safely both in the stable and field
2) How to catch a horse
3) Leading and handling the horse
4) Correct and safe method of tying the horse

Module 8
Evolution & Behaviour

1) Looking at the evolution of the horse
2) What does a horse need to survive in a herd, or as a lone horse?

Module 9
Shoeing

1) Reasons for shoeing
2) Identifying when shoes require to be replaced
3) Process of shoeing
4) Identify different types of horseshoes

Module 10
Tack & Clothing

1) Identify various types of tack and equipment
2) Identify various types of rug, measuring and fitting
3) Saddle parts including tree types and different types of saddle
4) How to clean tack

Upon completion of this course the most natural progression route would be to complete the SQA modules offered below or further Equido modules (Levels 1, 2, 3 & 4) which are equivalent to NC up to degree level. Level 1 can be completed here at Phantom’s Legacy, however Levels 2, 3 and 4 can be completed at our partner facility RossDhu Equestrian.

It also a good basis for participants to move on to further education – not limited to equine studies.