The British Horse Society, more commonly known as the BHS, was founded in 1947. It has grown over the past 70 years to become the largest and most influential equestrian charity in the UK, with over 115,000 members. They aim to protect and promote the interests of all horses and those who care about them, including the 3.5 million people in the UK who ride or who drive a horse-drawn carriage.

The core foundations of the BHS are education, welfare, access and safety. Their services include welfare services for horses and advice for horse owners, campaigning for and protecting equestrian rights of way, improving safety for horses, riders and carriage drivers, offering world class qualifications, an approvals system awarding quality instruction and care, and promoting riding for all.

I am very proud to have been a member of the BHS for as long as I can remember. I grew up with horses and worked my way through Pony Club and Riding Club. When I left school I worked with horses, and after a few years I studied to qualify as a BHSAI, which has now been rebranded as a BHS Stage 3 Coach in Complete Horsemanship. My reasoning was probably a bit random. I believed that, with a qualification as a BHSAI, I would always have a roof over my head because I could always get a job at a riding school that offered accommodation. I haven’t yet had to find out whether I was right in that assumption. I suspect that it’s a lot less likely now with the impact that Covid has had on Riding Schools in the UK.

At any rate, I’ve always been glad that I got my qualifications. I taught at Corham Stables in Bledlow, Buckinghamshire, for several years, and I taught freelance for many more years. Nowadays my focus is entirely on the physio treatment, but I think my background in coaching and behavioural work enhances what I can offer as a horse physio.

Are you a member of the BHS? What do you get from your membership?

© Sue Palmer, The Horse Physio 2021

Treating your horse with care, connection, curiosity and compassion

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www.bhs.org