Agriculture, environmental and animal care
Equine groom - Racing exercise groom
Working with and caring for horses.
Summary
This occupation is found in every sub-sector of the equine industry, such as Breeding, the Cavalry, Charities/Rescue Centres, Dressage, Driving, Endurance, Eventing, Hunting, Private yards/Livery Yards, Riding Schools, Showing, Show Jumping, Racing, Polo, Trekking, Rehabilitation centres, Competition yards and Western Riding.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to handle a variety of horses in different working environments. They must adhere to safe working practices, be prepared to work in all weather conditions and often in “out of hours” situations. They will be required to have dedication, commitment and the physical resilience to cope with the rigours of the role. Living on site for part or all of the duration of the apprenticeship may be necessary.
The occupation requires competent individuals who are committed to the safety and welfare of the horses in their care. They will use their theoretical knowledge and understanding, practical experience and empathy to maintain the horses’ physical and psychological well-being within a safe working environment. This is a practical, “hands on” occupation where apprentices will work under supervision individually or as part of a diverse team. The Equine Groom is an integral part in the life of the horse, providing essential day-to-day care. They will be involved with feeding, grooming, cleaning equipment, handling, preparing, exercising the horses and carrying out routine yard duties.
The Equine Groom may also be required to assist with the preparation of, transport to and care for horses at competitions, the races, sales, shows and other public appearances. Dependent on which sector of the industry the Equine Groom has chosen, appropriate people skills will be essential.
An Equine Groom apprentice will need to decide in which sector of the industry they wish to progress and select one of the following occupational options (in liaison with their employer): -
Flat riding groom - To safely provide practical day-to-day care as well as non-ridden exercise for horses, with empathy. Working under supervision, maintaining health and welfare, whilst becoming an integral part of the horses' life. To safely exercise experienced/ schooled horses in a variety of flat ridden situations, according to instruction.
Jump riding groom - To safely provide practical day-to-day care and non-ridden exercise for horses, with empathy. Working under supervision, maintaining health and welfare, whilst becoming an integral part of the horses' life. To safely exercise experienced/ schooled horses in a variety of jumping situations, including over fences, according to instruction.
Non-riding groom - To safely provide practical day-to-day care and non-ridden exercise for horses, with empathy. Working under supervision, maintaining health and welfare, whilst becoming an integral part of the horses' life. Also assisting with office duties and customer care.
Racing exercise groom - Provides ridden exercise regimes to Thoroughbred racehorses according to instructions, safely and in control, with a good, secure and balanced position, in line with yard and industry practice. Supports the work of the Racing Yard Based Grooms. Maintains industry weight requirements and be sufficiently fit to ride for up to six lots a day.
Racing Yard based groom - Provides non-ridden exercise regimes to Thoroughbred racehorses safely and according to instruction. Supports the work of the Racing Exercise Grooms. Contribute to yard-based industry record keeping, operate equipment, machinery and technology appropriately to assist with the effective organisation and maintenance of the commercial racing business premises.
Breeding groom - This role will allow the apprentice to develop a full understanding and gain experience of the many aspects of breeding, whether by natural covering, artificial insemination or embryo transfer. The apprentice will be part of a team, learning how to deal with the day-to-day care of brood mares, youngstock, stallions and foals, focusing on ensuring safety within the team and the horses in their care at all times. The apprentice is expected to show reliability and stamina, dedication and have empathy with the animal, working in all weathers and -at times- out of hours for foaling, covering, inseminating and in cases of emergency.
Driving groom - This role will allow the apprentice to develop a full understanding and gain experience of the various aspects of preparing and driving carriages ,as well as the care of harness horses, how to care for the equipment, ensuring safety and appropriate use at all times, Whether driving for pleasure on the roads, competitively or commercially with one, two or four horses, clear communication between the driver and the back-step groom/s is crucial to everyone's safety. The apprentice is expected to show reliability and stamina, have empathy with the animal, working in all weather and -at times- out of hours, in cases of emergency.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with
· Other grooms
· Senior grooms
· Managers
· Clients
· Suppliers
· Vets
· Farriers
· Equine dental technicians
· Members of the public
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the safety and welfare of the horses in their care. This will require significant commitment. They will use their theoretical knowledge and understanding, practical experience and empathy, to maintain the horse's physical and psychological well-being within a safe working environment. This is a practical, “hands on” occupation where apprentices will work under supervision individually or as part of a diverse team.
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Current health, safety and security requirements, policies and procedures including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Rules and Codes of Practice and ethics relevant to the workplace. (core).
K2:
Routine yard and field duties and horse husbandry and the principles of stabling and grassland care. (core)
K3:
Policies and procedures for new horse(s) arriving on the yard including measures to prevent and control spread of disease. (core)
K4:
Potential impact of equine activities on the environment and promoting sustainable working practices to minimise waste. (core)
K5:
Equine terminology used to describe horses including sex, height, type, colours and markings. (core)
K6:
The bones of the lower limb, points of the horse and the position of the major internal organs. (core)
K7:
The core principles of horse welfare (including health) and care of the sick horse, including the basics of current legal welfare requirements. (core)
K8:
The importance of routine health care and record keeping including veterinary reports, passports, vaccinations, worming, farriery and dentistry. (core)
K9:
Processes to check the horses’ welfare before and after exercise or travel (core)
K10:
The horses’ natural instincts, mental abilities and the principles of how horses behave and learn; the different methods of safe handling in various situations. (core)
K11:
The core principles of horse care including feeding, watering, grooming and foot care. (core)
K12:
The basics of trimming and plaiting. (core)
K13:
Common workplace saddlery, equipment and clothing used and how to maintain it. (core)
K14:
Awareness of discipline-specific saddlery and equipment. (core)
K15:
Current workplace principles and legal requirements relating to commercial transport of horses. (core)
K16:
A variety of non-ridden exercise procedures used in different workplaces. (core)
K17:
Know how to report any concerns, incidents and abnormalities regarding the welfare of a horse or activities within the organisation. (core).
K35:
The industry protocol for taking a horse racing and how to lead up a Thoroughbred racehorse at the races, including pre and post race activities. (racing exercise)
K36:
The Thoroughbred racehorse as a high performance equine athlete and the specific exercise regimes used in the racing industry to prepare and train horses to race. (racing exercise)
K37:
The specific routines for working in a racing yard. (racing exercise)
K38:
Technical racing terms and vocabulary, the racing industry structure and key organisations. (racing exercise)
K39:
The regulatory requirements for adhering to industry policy and practice, including security procedures in the yard, at the races and at public sales venues. (racing exercise)
K40:
Industry protocol for registration and vaccination of race horses. (racing exercise)
Technical Educational Products
- ST0166: Equine groom - Racing exercise groom (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0166H
- Status:
Approved occupation
- SOC 2020 code:
- 0
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
S1:
Work safely and efficiently at all times and comply with current health, safety and security policies and procedures (including PPE). (core)
S2:
Carry out all typical yard and field routine duties to include mucking out, skipping out, tidying and cleaning the yard, watering and feeding. (core)
S3:
Assess suitability of stabling and grassland environments for horses including checking for hazards etc. (core)
S4:
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. (core)
S5:
Recognise, identify and describe horses including sex, height, type, colours and markings. (core)
S6:
Identify anatomy of the horse to include the bones of the lower limb, points of the horse and the position of the major internal organs. (core)
S7:
Recognise signs of good and poor welfare (including ill health) and check for injuries. (core)
S8:
Report relevant information and assist with medical treatment and other industry specialists, including Senior Groom, Dentist, Farrier, Veterinary Surgeon. (core)
S9:
Ensure the horses’ welfare before and after exercise or travel. (core)
S10:
Handle a variety of horses in the workplace to include tying up, leading, trotting up, turning out and catching in. (core)
S11:
Recognise different types of feed and hay and check their quality. (core)
S12:
Groom a horse including checking feet and shoes. (core)
S13:
Demonstrate trimming and plaiting. (core)
S14:
Fit a variety of common saddlery, equipment and horse clothing. (core)
S15:
Remove, clean and store common saddlery and equipment. (core)
S16:
Check the safe and effective working condition of all saddlery, equipment and clothing. (core)
S17:
Prepare horse(s) for travel using appropriate clothing and equipment. (core)
S18:
Assist with loading and unloading before and after travel. (core)
S19:
Prepare for and provide a variety of appropriate non-ridden exercise including fitting and use of lungeing equipment. (core)
S20:
Communicate effectively with colleagues, supervisors, visitors and clients whilst showing good interpersonal skills. (core)
S39:
Provide pre and post race care including compliance with industry regulations. (racing exercise)
S40:
Handle Thoroughbred racehorses in and out of full work. (racing exercise)
S41:
Prepare and lead up a Thoroughbred racehorse at the races in accordance with industry practice and the Rules of Racing. (racing exercise)
S42:
Fit a variety of specialist racing equipment and tack. (racing exercise)
S43:
Ride appropriately to follow agreed industry protocols and regulations in relation to a racing exercise groom duties. (racing exercise)
S44:
Provide ridden exercise regimes to Thoroughbred racehorses according to instructions, safely and in control, with a good, secure and balanced position, in line with yard and industry practice. (racing exercise)
S45:
Carry out the specific routines required in a racing yard. (racing exercise)
S46:
Implement technique and methods to maintain industry weight and fitness requirements for riding racehorses in training. (racing exercise)
Technical Educational Products
- ST0166: Equine groom - Racing exercise groom (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0166H
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- SOC 2020 code:
- 0
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
B1:
Maintain safe working practices, which must be adhered to at all times with constant situational awareness and adaptability to ensure safety of the horse, themselves and others. (core)
B2:
Have a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn. Be respectful, punctual, reliable, trustworthy and diligent and prepared to work irregular hours and in all weathers. Take a pride in their work, showing commitment and loyalty, whilst conducting themselves in a professional manner. (core)
B3:
Have responsibility for themselves, others and the equines in their care, showing respect, empathy, patience and tolerance in all situations. Work with methods that reduce any risk of injury to horses, themselves or others. (core)
B4:
Have the ability to work both individually and as part of a diverse team as required, understanding their role and changing priorities when the situation dictates. (core)
B5:
Respect the need for confidentiality and adhere to data protection policies, including using social media responsibly. (core)
B6:
Have the ability to work efficiently to meet time deadlines and organisational requirements. (core)
Technical Educational Products
- ST0166: Equine groom - Racing exercise groom (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0166H
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- SOC 2020 code:
- 0
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
