Equine Minds CIC logoEquine MindsCommunity Interest Company

Equine MindsCourses

What you can learn

Course and achievement types

We are clear about what each course is, what it leads to and what type of recognition it includes.

Accredited courses, assessed learning, certificates of completion and free learning are labelled clearly, so learners know exactly what they are working towards and what they will receive at the end.

Register interest Young people

A look inside the courses

  • Ages 8 to 11 lesson screen: Meet the Pony
  • Ages 12 to 15 activity screen: what is this horse telling you?
  • A timber stable block with solar panels, a rainwater butt and planted beds
  • Ages 16 to 17 assessment screen: first aid scenario
  • A young woman presenting an aerial plan of a yard expansion to two investors
  • Ages 8 to 11 activity screen: which brush comes first?
  • A grey pony dozing peacefully in a sunny field
  • Ages 12 to 15 activity screen: build the feed bucket
  • A teenager sketching a water trough sensor beside a prototype at a stable
  • Ages 16 to 17 record screen: vital signs
  • Rosettes and branded horse rugs hanging on a yard fence
  • Ages 8 to 11 activity screen: feed or not?
  • Ages 12 to 15 planner screen: plan the yard day
  • A teenager pointing at a horse show ground plan with rosettes beside it
  • Ages 16 to 17 practical skills log
  • A teenager placing pins on a map of the UK beside photos of riding schools
  • Ages 8 to 11 quiz screen: what is this pony doing?
  • A teenager arranging hand-made grooming brushes and bags of horse treats on a stall
  • Ages 12 to 15 activity screen: label the hoof
  • Ages 16 to 17 assessment screen: welfare case study
  • A teenager talking through a sponsorship proposal with an adult at a yard table
  • Ages 8 to 11 activity screen: what does a happy horse need?
  • Five horses in a row: bay, chestnut, grey, black and skewbald
  • Ages 12 to 15 reflection screen: field check
  • A young person photographing a bay horse over a fence with a phone
  • Ages 16 to 17 reflection screen: tell your story
  • An open box of grooming brushes, shampoo and treats in front of a stable
  • Ages 12 to 15 quiz screen: who is leading this herd?
  • Ages 16 to 17 planner screen: plan your study week

Course sections

Find your kind of course

Seven sections by what you actually do, so every kind of learner has a home. Choose one to see its courses. A course can sit in two sections.

Explore career pathways

Science and Discovery

Investigate how horses think, see and remember. 10 courses, all coming soon.

Back to all sections
  • Why Horses Spook8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • How Do Horses Remember Things?8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Why Do Horses Come in So Many Colours?8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Why Does a Horse's Ear Move Like That?8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • A Day in the Life of a Horse8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • The Horse's Senses: Seeing the World Differently12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Why Horses Are Prey Animals, and What That Means12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Fight or Flight: The Horse's Survival Instinct12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Why Do Horses Yawn, Stretch, and Sigh?12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • The Horse's Memory: Why They Never Forget12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon

Behaviour and Body Language

Watch, read and understand what horses are saying. 8 courses, all coming soon.

Back to all sections
  • Why Horses Live in Herds8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • How Horses Talk Without Words8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Why Do Horses Groom Each Other?8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Understanding Herd Behaviour12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Reading Equine Body Language12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • The Science of a Horse's Comfort Zone12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • The Horse and the Herd Leader12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • How Horses Learn: Training Through Trust12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon

Care and Wellbeing

Keep horses happy, healthy and well fed. 3 courses, all coming soon.

Back to all sections
  • What Makes a Happy Horse?8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • What Does a Horse Need to Stay Healthy?8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Feed the Herd12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon

Art and Design

Draw, design and invent new ideas. 5 courses, all coming soon.

Back to all sections
  • Design Your Dream Yard12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Design an Eco-Friendly Stable12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Invent a Horse Tech Gadget12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Start Your Own Equestrian Brand12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Create an Equestrian Subscription Box16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon

Words and Media

Write, tell stories and build brands and campaigns. 3 courses, all coming soon.

Back to all sections
  • Build a Social Media Campaign for a Yard12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Start Your Own Equestrian Brand12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Create a Horse Rescue Fundraiser12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon

Events and Projects

Plan, organise and make things happen. 4 courses, all coming soon.

Back to all sections
  • Plan a Horse Show12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Launch a Pop-Up Pony Experience12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Create a Horse Rescue Fundraiser12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Feed the Herd12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon

Ideas and Enterprise

Start, pitch and run your own horse business. 9 courses, all coming soon.

Back to all sections
  • Pitch Your Equestrian Business16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Running a Livery Yard16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Launch a Riding School16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Sponsorship and Sport16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Franchise a Riding School Concept16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Negotiate a Sponsorship Deal16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Pitch to Investors: Fund Your Yard Expansion16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Turn a Hobby Into a Side Hustle16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Create an Equestrian Subscription Box16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon

See every course

All 38 courses, youngest first. 38 courses, all coming soon.

Back to all sections
  • Why Horses Live in Herds8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • How Horses Talk Without Words8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • A Day in the Life of a Horse8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Why Horses Spook8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • What Makes a Happy Horse?8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Why Do Horses Groom Each Other?8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • How Do Horses Remember Things?8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Why Does a Horse's Ear Move Like That?8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • What Does a Horse Need to Stay Healthy?8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Why Do Horses Come in So Many Colours?8 to 11 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Understanding Herd Behaviour12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • The Horse's Senses: Seeing the World Differently12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Reading Equine Body Language12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Why Horses Are Prey Animals, and What That Means12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • The Science of a Horse's Comfort Zone12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • The Horse and the Herd Leader12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Fight or Flight: The Horse's Survival Instinct12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • How Horses Learn: Training Through Trust12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Why Do Horses Yawn, Stretch, and Sigh?12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • The Horse's Memory: Why They Never Forget12 to 15 · Short course · Coming soon
  • Design Your Dream Yard12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Start Your Own Equestrian Brand12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Plan a Horse Show12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Feed the Herd12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Launch a Pop-Up Pony Experience12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Create a Horse Rescue Fundraiser12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Invent a Horse Tech Gadget12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Build a Social Media Campaign for a Yard12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Design an Eco-Friendly Stable12 to 15 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Pitch Your Equestrian Business16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Running a Livery Yard16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Launch a Riding School16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Sponsorship and Sport16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Franchise a Riding School Concept16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Create an Equestrian Subscription Box16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Negotiate a Sponsorship Deal16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Pitch to Investors: Fund Your Yard Expansion16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon
  • Turn a Hobby Into a Side Hustle16 to 17 · Creative project · Coming soon

Sample course card

How each course will be shown

The ages 16 to 17 knowledge check screen for Understanding Horse Behaviour: a horse photograph beside a multiple choice question about what the horse is most likely telling you
UKRS accredited

Understanding Horse Behaviour

Learn to recognise horse body language and everyday behaviour, helping you handle and care for horses more safely and confidently.

  • Tutor-supported online learning
  • Built for ages 16–17
  • Practical assessment included
View course requirements

Illustrative example only. This shows how course information will be presented and does not represent a currently confirmed course.

Status, explained

Two labels, each meaning something specific

Every course carries one of these labels, so you always know what a course leads to before you start.

  1. 01

    UKRS accredited

    Courses that have been approved within the UK Rural Skills framework. We clearly state the accrediting body and what that status means for each course.

    • Approved within the UK Rural Skills framework
    • The accrediting body is named on every course
    • Available where age requirements allow

    Look for this on a course:UKRS accredited

  2. 02

    Equine Minds Certificate of Completion

    Courses with clearly defined learning outcomes, where your work is set and checked by Equine Minds. When you finish, you receive an Equine Minds Certificate of Completion. These courses are not externally accredited.

    • Set and checked by Equine Minds
    • Clear learning outcomes for every course
    • A certificate when you finish

    Look for this on a course:Equine Minds Certificate

The portfolio

What the catalogue will include

A small herd standing together in a field: a chestnut mare and foal, a grey horse and a skewbald pony

Interest-led

Free mini-lessons, low-cost short courses and home-education learning for ages 8+, designed to build knowledge, confidence and engagement.

A young person drawing a yard plan with paddocks, stables and an arena

Progression

Structured youth pathways, assessed and accredited learning where age requirements allow, and routes into further study, training and recognised achievement.

A young yard manager updating a horse planner board beside a row of stables

Employability

Vocational development, work-related skills and routes into further study, training and employment for 16 to 17 year olds.

Our wider portfolio will also grow to include Equine Facilitated Learning, personal development and programmes delivered with local authorities, employability services and other partner organisations.

Where we are now

Courses are being prepared carefully

We are uploading and checking courses ahead of our 1 November 2026 launch.

The details matter: how a learner starts, how progress is saved, how feedback is given, how evidence is submitted and how achievement is recorded.

Registrations of interest are open now, and we will contact learners and families as courses become available.

Register interest Ask us a question