Equestrian First Aid at Work 20 Hour Level 3 (VTQ) - FAW

Equestrian First Aid at Work – 20 Hour Level 3 (VTQ) – FAW

Comprehensive First Aid at Work training tailored specifically to people working with, teaching or participating in equestrian activities.

Our Equestrian First Aid at Work Level 3 (VTQ) course provides comprehensive workplace first aid training with additional content focused on the particular risks and injuries that can arise when working with horses and participating in equestrian activities.

This is a human first aid course. It is designed to prepare learners to provide first aid to riders, staff, clients and other people following an accident or medical emergency. The skills learned are equally transferable to first aid emergencies in everyday life and other workplace environments.

Training is delivered in accordance with the Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) 2025 Guidelines and current UK workplace first aid guidance, with a strong emphasis on practical competence, realistic scenarios and confident emergency response.

Who should attend?

This course is particularly suitable for people working or volunteering within the equestrian sector, including:

• Riding instructors and coaches
• Riding school staff
• Stable and yard staff
• Equestrian centre employees
• Trekking and hacking leaders
• Horse owners and carers
• Equestrian event staff and volunteers
• Others whose work or activities involve horses and riders

It is particularly appropriate where a workplace first aid needs assessment identifies a requirement for comprehensive First Aid at Work-level training together with additional consideration of equestrian-specific risks.

What does the course cover?

The course covers the comprehensive first aid skills expected of a workplace first aider together with additional consideration of injuries and emergencies that may occur within an equestrian environment.

Topics include:

• Role and responsibilities of the first aider
• Scene safety and casualty assessment
• Primary and secondary surveys
• Adult Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Practical use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Unresponsive casualties and recovery position
• Choking
• Seizures
• External and life-threatening bleeding
• Wound management
• Tourniquets and haemostatic dressings
• Shock
• Fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains
• Head injuries and concussion
• Suspected spinal injuries
• Chest injuries
• Burns and scalds
• Eye injuries
• Anaphylaxis and severe allergic reactions
• Heart attack and stroke
• Asthma and diabetic emergencies
• Other major illnesses and medical emergencies
• Minor injuries and incident management

Equestrian-related emergencies

The course places these first aid skills into the context of horse riding, equestrian workplaces and horse-related incidents.

Consideration is given to the mechanisms of injury commonly associated with equestrian activities, including falls from horses, kicks, crushing and trampling incidents, and the potential for significant head, spinal, chest, pelvic and limb injuries.

Practical scenarios can be adapted to reflect the types of emergencies that learners may realistically encounter within their own equestrian environment.

Course duration

20 hours of instructor-led training, delivered over a minimum of three days.

The additional training time allows the comprehensive First Aid at Work syllabus to be combined with equestrian-specific content and practical scenarios.

Assessment

Learners are assessed throughout the course through continuous practical observation and knowledge assessment.

The course has a strong practical emphasis, and learners must demonstrate the required first aid competencies to successfully complete the training.

Course delivery

This specialist course is usually delivered on demand at our clients' premises, making it particularly suitable for riding schools, equestrian centres, yards, clubs and other organisations wishing to train a group of staff or volunteers together.

By prior arrangement, the course can also be delivered at our training venue for a client group, subject to venue availability.

Where appropriate, client-site delivery allows practical scenarios and emergency-response considerations to be related to the organisation's own equestrian environment.

Certification

Learners who successfully complete the course and assessment receive a ProTrainings Equestrian First Aid at Work Level 3 (VTQ) certificate, valid for three years.

To maintain the First Aid at Work qualification, learners should complete the appropriate First Aid at Work Requalification course before their current certificate expires. Annual first aid skills and knowledge refreshers are also recommended to help maintain competence.

Need a regulated qualification?

If your organisation specifically requires a regulated First Aid at Work qualification, Vital Signs Scotland also offers the TQUK Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (RQF).

Any questions?

If you are responsible for first aid provision within a riding school, equestrian centre, yard or other horse-related organisation and are unsure which level of training is appropriate, please contact us. We will be happy to discuss your requirements and the findings of your first aid needs assessment.

Telephone: 01506 333310
Email: info@vitalsignsscotland.co.uk