Equine Groom Apprenticeship

Summary

We are offering an Level 2 Equine Groom apprenticeship position within a BHS approved, family run riding centre facilitating all riding abilities. Providing private and group lessons, clinics, hacks, shows, stable management club, pony days, summer camps, tots toddles and much more.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Equine groom (level 2)

Hours

Working 5 days out of 7, weekend work to be expected. Final working pattern to be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate.

40 hours a week

Start date

Saturday 1 August 2026

Duration

1 year

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

We are looking to employ an apprenticeship groom to join our friendly and experienced team, to provide excellent care for our livery and school horses.

The job will include all aspects of yard work;

• Mucking out/ keeping yard tidy
• Grooming/ picking out feet
• Rugging and turning horses in and out of the fields 
• Tacking  upand untacking the horses
• Riding available for the right candidate
• All general horse care 
• Feeding/ filling haynets and water buckets 

Where you'll work

BURLEY LODGE STUD
HYDE END ROAD
SHINFIELD
READING
RG2 9EP

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

HADDON TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Equine groom (level 2)

What you'll learn

• Work safely and efficiently at all times and comply with current health, safety and security policies and procedures (including PPE).
• Carry out all yard and field duties to include mucking out, skipping out, tidying and cleaning the yard, watering and feeding. Assess suitability of stabling and grassland environments for horses including checking for hazards etc. Assist with the arrival of a new horse to the yard, following current yard procedures and measures to prevent and control the spread of disease.
• Recognise, identify and describe horses including sex, height, type, colours and markings. Identify basic anatomy, to include points of the horse. Recognise signs of good and poor welfare (including ill health) and check for injuries. Report relevant information and assist with medical treatment and other industry specialists, including Senior Groom, Dentist, Farrier, Veterinary surgeon. Ensure the horses’ welfare before and after exercise or travel.
• Handle a variety of horses in the workplace to include tying up, leading, trotting up, turning out and catching in. Recognise different types of feed and hay and check their quality. Groom a horse including checking feet and shoes. Demonstrate trimming and plaiting.
• Fit a variety of common saddlery, equipment and horse clothing. Remove, clean and store common saddlery and equipment. Check the safe and effective working condition of all saddlery, equipment and clothing
• Prepare horse(s) for travel using appropriate clothing and equipment. Assist with loading and unloading before and after travel.
• Prepare for and provide a variety of appropriate non-ridden exercise including an introduction to lungeing.
• Demonstrate basic safe competence in handling equines used for breeding purposes including assisting with teasing and covering. Observe the onset of, and assist if required, foaling of an equine and following on procedures. Demonstrate an awareness of reproductive status; including the interpretation of teasing results and the specialist care of breeding equines at all stages of the reproductive cycle. Recognise the importance of; and participate in, the maintenance of disease control within an equine breeding population. Assist with the work of breeding industry specialists; using equipment, machinery and technology appropriately as directed. Assist with the preparation and show of equines of varying ages, as directed, for commercial and/or private sale.
• Harness up and put to with an assistant a single turnout in both a two and four wheeled vehicle. Act as a groom/ backstepper in exercising/show/trials (select one discipline). Exercise horses/ponies in a non driving environment, to be able to lunge or longrein in an enclosed area, in a circle for exercise purposes. Drive a quiet pleasure single turnout in an enclosed area demonstrating safe rein handling, turns to the left and right, in the walk and trot. To be able to halt. Mount and dismount in a safe manner. Demonstrate safe use of the whip. Take horse out of vehicle with assistance and unharness horse in a safe manner.
• Handle Thoroughbred racehorses in and out of full training. Fit a variety of specialist racing equipment and tack. Carry out the specific routines required in a racing yard and in taking horses racing, complying with industry regulatory requirements, policy and practice. Provide exercise regimes to racehorses as directed and effectively care for horses prior to and after strenuous work and racecourse performance. Prepare and lead up a Thoroughbred racehorse at the races in accordance with industry practice and the Rules of Racing. Provide after race care including compliance with industry regulations and post-race dope testing procedures.
• Adopt an appropriate basic riding position. Ride an experienced/schooled horse according to instruction, independently and as part of a group in an enclosed area. Ride in a balanced, secure position showing control in walk, trot and canter, working with and without stirrups whilst demonstrating movements i.e. circles, turns, etc. Ride in the open, in a forward seat according to instruction with control, security and balance. Ride with a balanced, secure, forward seat over ground poles at trot to enable progression to ride, where practical, over a short course of fences with control, security and balance. Ride on the road or in public places according to laid down procedures, Highway and Country Codes. Open & close a gate whilst mounted. Negotiate everyday obstacles/hazards with control, security and balance. Ride a quiet horse whilst leading another quiet horse or pony.
• Assist with storage of supplies and stock rotation. Contribute to the organisation and maintenance of establishment. Engage with customers and identify their needs. Assist with appropriate office duties including answering the telephone, processing information and use workplace IT systems. Contribute to yard based records including passports, vaccinations, worming, farriery, dentistry etc. Assist and support Riding Grooms and provide non-ridden exercise regimes. Prepare for and lunge a horse for exercise in an enclosed area according to instruction.

Training schedule

You will be working towards your Level 2 Equine Groom apprenticeship.

You will also work towards Functional Skills qualifications in maths and/ or English at level 1 or 2 if required.

All training provided at the employers premises by the employer and Haddon Training.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4)
• Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Physical fitness
• Good with children

Other requirements

We are looking for a candidate with excellent communication skills, good basic equine experience , a love for horses and working outdoors is a must! Possible accommodation is available onsite along with the possiblity of taking your own horse.