Courses

BETA is regarded by retailers as the primary source of training courses for those involved in the equestrian industry. Our courses are run for the trade, by those involved in the trade, specifically designed to suit the needs of the equestrian and country retailer in developing business and satisfying customer needs.

Courses are open to the whole trade although BETA members will receive substantial discounts where charges apply and be eligible for the BETA Award of Retail Excellence. Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) members will also receive preferential rates.

Following is the list of all the courses run by BETA. All may not be run in any one year so please check the full list of courses for 2010 available here. If you are interested in booking on any of the courses available, download the course costs and booking form.

Course Details

Technical Courses

Equine Feed And Nutrition

Based on the popular Dodson & Horrell course, this course aims to introduce retailers to the basic principles of equine nutrition, the legislation surrounding feed and its labelling together with basic stock management. It will help you to better understand the products you sell so that you in turn can assist your customers in their purchasing decisions.

Introduction To The Principles Of Saddle Fitting

Run in conjunction with the Society of Master Saddlers this two day course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of saddle fitting, saddle construction, equine physiology and information recording together with hands-on experience in the fitting of different types of horses and ponies.

Introduction To Lorinery

This course aims to unlock the mystery surrounding bits and the bitting of horses, together with the other metalwork used on the horse. With a thorough coverage of a complex subject, this one day course introduces you to the principles of bitting, how a horse’s conformation influences the selection and how best to assist customers in their purchasing decision. Detailed course notes are provided.

Lorinery Ii

Intended for those who have attended the introductory course or with some previous knowledge. This is a more practical hands-on course covering the fitting of bits and double bridles, detailed coverage of other metal work such as stirrups and harness and will also feature a section on training aids, their purposes and fitting.

Saddlery Retailing

Selling saddles involves more than just fitting the saddle to the horse. Before this the retailer needs to understand the customer’s needs and their expectations from the saddle to ensure the correct saddle is chosen in the first place. This course looks at these aspects and is intended for shop based staff who are often the liaison between saddle fitter and customer. It will cover saddle construction, different types of saddles for different disciplines and sales techniques and after-sales service.

Safety Course

Attendees will obtain hands-on tuition in hat and body protector fitting together with extensive background on human physiology and principles of safety equipment. Full details will be given on the different standards used in manufacturing, together with coverage of what the riding disciplines will accept for participants. Also covered are other safety equipment such as footwear and high visibility clothing.

Train To Sell Animal Medicines Such As Wormers & Flea Treatments

Conversion Courses – to attend these courses you must have completed your APL from Harper Adams and returned it. If you would like to sit the exam in the afternoon after the course then you will need to book this direct through AMTRA via www.amtra.org.uk or 01394 411010

Two day Course to qualify to sell animal medicines such as wormers- Firstly you will need to register as a student with AMTRA to obtain your training manual and enrol as a student (costs approx £240). You can then apply to attend a course with us and book yourself onto the exam with AMTRA which will usually follow after day 2 of the training.

View full list of training dates in 2010 for this course

Business Courses

Beta Conference

Held in October of every year, this one day event provides a selection of professional and expert speakers on a range of current topics, from merchandising and e-commerce, to the future face of retailing.

Beta Management Training Programme

This series of three one day modules aim to provide increased skills in crucial areas central to managing businesses in today’s highly competitive market. Using your own business as the main case study, you will leave each module with a range of tools and techniques that will provide benefit for immediate application. Module 1 - Leading and Managing people; Module 2 - Managing Your Business (financial management & marketing), and Module 3 - Managing Business relationships.

Employment And Health & Safety Law

Employment and Health & Safety law are two of the most complicated aspects of running a successful business today. Designed to up date owners and managers on the ever increasing amount of legislation surrounding these areas, this seminar will demonstrate the extent of employee rights in the work place together with issues faced by senior management.

These are the topics to be covered;

• Contracts of employment
• Common pitfalls surrounding recruitment, discrimination and maternity leave
• Legislation update
• Employee rights
• Tribunals
• Health & Safety including how to avoid claims and the insurance connection

Marketing Your Equestrian Business

A two day course packed with ideas that will help you make the most of your business. Now is its third year, this course provides you with the marketing tools and techniques that will enable you to meet the specific needs of the equestrian marketplace.

Retailing Skills – Customer Service And Communication

This course will help to improve your understanding of customers through asking the right questions, assist in knowing how to handle complaints and difficult situations such as angry or time wasting customers and cover the law on retailing, detailing what your liability and responsibilities are as well as the rights of the consumer.

Retailing Skills – Visual Display & Merchandising

Methods of display and presentation can have an enormous impact upon the level of sales and profit. This 1 day workshop will help participants identify their store image and how to improve it. It will provide the tools to effectively merchandise product, re-examine store layout to facilitate impulse sales as well as offering the opportunity to put into practise some of the skills involved in planning and assembling layouts and displays.