About
Turn your passion for horses into a successful career.
If you’re passionate about horses but you’re unsure how they can be part of your future, our range of courses provide a broad insight into the wider equine industry.
You’ll be based at our Equestrian Centre, which has all the facilities you would expect from a professional yard. Our team of expert staff – many with elite international experience – will provide training in all aspects of the modern-day horse industry.
As well as learning about horse management, you can choose to focus on equine science, rehabilitation, business management, rural events management or equitation.
You don’t even have to ride if you don’t want to. You can concentrate on equine business or principles of competition grooming or join our weekly progressive riding lessons with our skilled instructors to develop your riding ability at your own pace.
Courses
Reaseheath College
Burrow’s Lane Equestrian Centre
Thanks to a successful partnership between Reaseheath Equestrian Centre and Burrow’s Lane Equestrian Centre, students in Merseyside now have the chance to study closer to home.
Croft End Equestrian Centre
Thanks to a successful partnership between Reaseheath Equestrian Centre and Croft End Equestrian Centre, students in Lancashire now have the chance to study closer to home.
Higher Education
- BSc (Hons) Equine Behaviour and Welfare (Top-Up)
- BSc (Hons) Equine Bioveterinary Science
- BSc (Hons) Equine Science and Sports Performance*
- Foundation Degree in Equine Training and Rehabilitation
*This programme is subject to approval for 2020.
Competitions and Events
Student Success
Alex Whittaker
Current job role: Stud groom / stallion handler, Widden Stud, Australia
Previous courses: Level 2 Diploma in Horse Care 2012
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Equine Management 2014
“I’ve been working on thoroughbred studs in Hunter Valley, New South Wales, for four years. I have residency now so I don’t think I’ll be back to live in England any time soon. I love what I do and I feel lucky that I’ve turned my passion into my career.
“I started riding at Croft End Equestrian Centre (one of Reaseheath’s outreach centres) and by the time I was 10 I was spending every spare minute there.
“I became a Reaseheath equine student because I wanted to develop my skills and knowledge. I was interested in horse breeding and thanks to my training and the support of my lecturers I realised that it could offer a career for me.
“Racing is a very big industry in Australia and there are plenty of opportunities for me to progress into management.”
Find out more
Why study?
Why study Equine at Reaseheath?
Join a winning team! Our equine team are currently the North West Equine Inter-College Champions and we also have a National School Equestrian Association Team who compete successfully at national level.
Improve your employability by training for extra qualifications such as British Horse Society exams or join our Elite Grooming and Riding academies, Business and Events Academy or Riding Development Squad.
Gain top tips from lectures and demonstrations from world-renowned dressage riders, showjumpers, event riders and equine behaviourists.
Become part of our arena party at world-class events such as the Horse of the Year Show, Bolesworth International Horse Show and a range of leading British Eventing competitions.
Join a booming industry – there are over 19,000 equine businesses in the UK employing 41,200 people and consumers spend over £4 billion on equestrianism every year.
Broaden your career choices through work placements and study tours in the UK, Ireland and Croatia.
Career
Where could your career take you?
Careers in the equestrian industry are varied and rewarding. You could choose to work hands-on with horses as a competition groom or trainer, or go down the science and research route perhaps working as a bloodstock agent or veterinary nurse!
Some of the careers our students have gone on to do include:
- Elite competition grooming
- Professional rider
- Yard manager
- Equine nutritionist
- Equine physiotherapists
- Equine veterinary nurse
- Racehorse trainer
- Lecturer or instructor in equine
- Equine product designer and manufacturer
- Researcher
- Bloodstock agent
- Welfare officer
- Event or business manager
Experience
Your Reaseheath Experience
You’ll have a lot of fun on our courses. Our students enjoy an annual study tour to Ireland which includes a visit to the National Stud of Ireland, regular visits to equestrian businesses and organisations and the chance to join arena parties at key national events such as Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and The Bolesworth International Horse Show.
You can pick up top tips from international stars like behaviourists Monty Roberts and Richard Maxwell, dressage riders Michael Eilberg and Gareth Hughes, show jumpers Ben Maher and Geoff Billington, event riders Paul Tapner and Lucinda Fredericks, and Olympic course designer Bob Ellis when they visit our equestrian centre.
This year we hosted Eventing World Champion Ros Canter and Caroline Moore BHSI.
Watch how our students got on at the Horse of the Year show here!
Industry
Industry ready
We have great industry links and our equine courses are endorsed by industry professionals through our industry mentor scheme. You will benefit from our partnerships with Stallion AI Services, Tyler Cassells Equine, Master Saddle Fitter Steph Bradley of Freedom Saddlery and many more. Their input will help give you a head-start in your chosen career.
You will also undertake a relevant work placement as part of your course giving you invaluable industry experience. Many of our students impress their employers so much that they are offered full time employment following the completion of their course!
You will have the option to get involved in leading industry research projects or study for extra qualifications such as British Horse Society (BHS) exams and the Young Equestrian Leaders Awards — designed to make your CV stand out.
Livery
Livery options
You have the opportunity to bring your horse with you while you study! We have a range of livery packages available from full working livery to DIY livery. You and your horse will have access to our excellent range of facilities, on-site competitions and training opportunities with resident coaches and visiting professionals.
Facilities
Where you’ll be studying
Reaseheath Equestrian Centre boasts excellent facilities and resources to help you develop your technical understanding and practical expertise. These include:
- Our Competition Centre boasting a modern indoor arena plus two outdoor arenas, all with Andrews Bowen competition surfaces
- Carefully designed modern yards, including American barn-style stabling, which accommodates over 60 horses
- Flicka, our mechanical horse
- A range of showjumping fences and dressage boards
- A covered 8-horse Claydon horse walker
- Secure tack rooms and rug drying facilities
- A Kylix Lambda Pro Solarium
- Tru-Test Electronic Weighbridge
- An Equissage massage machine
- Gait analysis systems
We have a range of breeds at our Equestrian Centre including Warmbloods, Irish Draughts and Cobs to name a few. We also have a partnership with The British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre and we have several of their horses on long-term loan. You’ll get to work with all these breeds, both riding and handling them in stable management sessions.
Apprenticeship
Earn while you learn
As an apprentice, you’ll be able to work and earn a wage while building your knowledge and skills. All your training will be delivered in the workplace with the support of an industry expert assessor.
A particularly diverse industry, you could find yourself working in a role such as stable hand, groom or stud assistant. Some of the companies our apprentices have worked at include Juwel Equestrian, Denstone Stud, Bazaars Stud and more…
Equine outreach centres
Thanks to our successful partnerships with Burrow’s Lane Equestrian Centre in Merseyside and Croft End Equestrian Centre in Lancashire, we can offer equine students the chance to study closer to home.
Burrow’s Lane
Burrow’s Lane Equestrian Centre, Merseyside
As a student at Burrow’s Lane, you’ll develop the knowledge, confidence and personal skills required to become a well-rounded professional in the equestrian industry.
You’ll be taught by a team of dedicated and highly motivated staff who have plenty of industry experience and feel passionate about developing students who are industry ready.
The centre offers a range of quality training facilities, on-site shows, a good selection of horses, and regular contact with industry professionals. You’ll also get plenty of relevant industry experience, with work-based visits and career days to enhance your employability skills.
Training facilities:
- 2 arenas, including a 60m x 40m Charles Britton arena
- A purpose-built rehabilitation centre with solarium and treatment room
- Working hunter, cross country and show jumping courses
- A fully equipped classroom
Courses on offer:
- Level 1 Diploma in Horse Care
- Level 2 Technical Certificate in Equine Care
- Level 3 Diplomas in Equine Management
Croft End
Croft End Equestrian Centre, Oldham
Croft End prides itself on producing students with the skills and knowledge required for a career in the equestrian industry.
You’ll be taught by expert staff. who put a strong focus on developing your employability skills, so you’ll need to be punctual. reliable and enthusiastic.
Croft End is a professional training centre and a riding school approved by the British Horse Society (BHS) and the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS). The venue is also a BHS Approved Training Centre for BHS stages 1 and 2.
Training facilities:
- Indoor and outdoor arenas . stabling for over 60 horses
- A purpose -built equine shower bay
- Troy: the Racewood horse simulator
- IT and audiovisual aids
- A library
Courses on offer:
- Level 2 Technical Certificate in Equine Care
- Level 3 Diplomas in Equine Management
Industry view
“ I’ve really enjoyed the connection I’ve had with Reaseheath over a number of years. It’s really important that the college is embracing the need for students to get a real taster of what our industry needs on a practical level.”
Richard DavisonInternational dressage rider and Reaseheath industry mentor
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Further Education: 01270 613242
Higher Education: 01270 613284
Switchboard: 01270 625131
Higher Education: 01270 613284
Switchboard: 01270 625131