Horse Groom
What is the work like?
Horse grooms, sometimes known as stable lads/girls or stable hands, look after horses, making sure they are healthy and in good condition.
As a groom you would:
- provide food and water for horses
- replace bedding
- clean equipment such as saddles and bridles ('tack')
- clean, brush and sometimes clip horses' coats
- muck out stables
- check for changes in the horses' condition and report problems
- treat minor wounds, change dressings and give medication
- follow instructions from vets when treatment is needed.
You may also be responsible for exercising the horses each day.
If you work with show jumpers or race horses, you would prepare horses for events, and may accompany them. In studs and breeding yards you would work with stallions, mares and foals and may assist vets in delivering foals. In riding schools you may greet clients, lead riders out on foot, and accompany them on horseback.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You must be at least 16, and some jobs have weight restrictions. Although you do not need any formal qualifications, employers may prefer you to have experience and a nationally recognised qualification such as:
- BTEC First Certificate and Diploma in Horse Care
- BTEC National Diploma in Horse Management
- British Horse Society (BHS) Stage 1 in Horse Knowledge and Care
- Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) Preliminary Horse Care and Riding Certificate.
For BHS or ABRS qualifications you must be at least 16, and would usually need experience of handling and riding horses. Visit the BHS and ABRS websites for details.
You could get practical experience as a volunteer, for example helping out at a local stables. This could give you an advantage when looking for paid work.
The British Racing School in Newmarket and the Northern Racing College in Doncaster are the main centres where you can train in race-horse care. You will not need riding experience – there is a non-rider option up to NVQ level 2, although most trainees do ride.
If you are interested in the horse breeding industry you can train at the National Stud in Newmarket or at other training centres. See the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association website for details.
Visit the British Horse Racing Board careers website for full details of careers in horse-racing and breeding.
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk (link opens in new window).
What further training and development can I do?
You will usually receive on-the-job training when you start work as a horse groom. You can also work towards NVQ levels 1 and 2 in Horse Care and Level 3 in Horse Care and Management.
You can develop your skills by taking British Horse Society (BHS) and Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) qualifications.
BHS qualifications include:
- BHS Stage 2 Horse Knowledge and Care and Stage 2 Riding
- BHS Stage 3 Groom's Certificate (Horse Knowledge and Care) and Stage 3 Riding
- BHS Stage 4 Riding
- BHS teaching and instructor qualifications.
Visit the BHS website to find out where you can take these qualifications.
ABRS qualifications include:
- ABRS Groom's Certificate
- ABRS Groom's Diploma.
Visit the ABRS website for details.
Where can I go for more information?
Rossington Hall
Great North Road
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN11 0HN
Tel: 01302 861000
London
WC2H 8AL
Tel: 020 7152 0000
Email: info@careersinracing.com
Stoneleigh Park
Nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 0845 707 8007
Newmarket
Suffolk
CB8 7NU
Tel: 01638 665103
Stanstead House
The Avenue
Newmarket
Suffolk
CB8 9AA
Tel: 01638 661321
38-40 Queen Street
Penzance
Cornwall
TR18 4BH
Tel: 01736 369440
Kenilworth
Warwickshire
CV8 2XZ
Tel: 0844 848 1666
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Grooms with BHS Stage 3 or a national diploma can earn around £10,500 a year.
- Experienced grooms in charge of a yard can earn £15,000 to £16,000.
- Head lads/girsl in a racing yard can earn more than £20,000.
With some employers, accommodation, food, free stabling for your own horse and riding lessons are provided.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work 40 hours a week, including early mornings, late nights and weekends. Overtime is often available and you may be able to do part-time or casual work.
You would need to be prepared to work in cold, wet and muddy conditions, and would wear protective clothing and footwear.
You may be provided with accommodation, but this can be quite basic, and you may have to share.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good observational skills
- patience and willingness to do routine tasks
- awareness of health and safety issues
- the ability to work alone and as part of a team
- good communication skills
- competence in riding
- experience of looking after horses (you may not need this when starting some jobs).
What opportunities are there?
You could be employed in a stud farm, riding and trekking centre, livery yard, racing yard, competition yard or in more specialised businesses such as horse rehabilitation centres. You may also be able to find work with a private owner.
With experience and further training you could take charge of a yard or become head groom. In a racing yard, you can progress to head lad/girl, travelling head lad/girl and perhaps to assistant trainer or trainer.
On a stud farm you could become a stud groom, stallion handler or stud manager. If you work in a riding stable you could complete BHS or ABRS teaching qualifications to become a riding instructor.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
British Horse Society (jobs page)
Horse and Hound
Equine World UK (vacancies page)
Yard and Groom
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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