Equine Groom

Level 2 Apprenticeship

For over 4000 years we have worked in partnership with horses and cared for their needs. There are about a million horses (including all domestic equine species, namely horses, ponies, donkeys and their hybrids) kept for recreation and commercial use in the UK.

The Equine Groom apprenticeship has been designed to enable you to establish your career in this well established sector. This is an ideal course for those who wish to develop their career within the equine industry and who wish to develop the core skills, knowledge and behaviours that are required when working with horses within an equine business. The apprenticeship is offered via two different specialisms which are either a riding pathway, or yard-based non-riding pathway. It will give a solid foundation in horse care and a strong start to a career working with horses.

Apprentices will learn how to

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.
Adopt an appropriate basic riding position.
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 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.
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.

Qualifications Gained

Apprenticeship Certificate
Maths and/or English Functional Skills (if applicable)

Delivery model

A mix of weekly practical learning at Plumpton College which will include skills and knowledge assessment and undertaking practical learning alongside quarterly workplace competency and efficiency observation and assessments.

Course details

Dates & Location	Next cohort enrolment in August/September 2023 with commencement of in college delivery from September 2023
Duration	Typically 15 months (some apprentices could complete sooner depending on their previous experience and qualifications, their perfomance during the apprenticeship and the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in the workplace) practical period with 3-month End Point Assessment window.
Costs	Costs to the employer will be dependent on several factors such as age of apprentice and size (number of employees) of the business. Please contact our Business Services team on 01273 892127 for more information.

Entry Requirements

Maths and English assessment
Existing skills, knowledge and behaviour assessment

To enrol onto an apprenticeship programme you need to be employed with a contract of employment. If you have an employer lined up or are already employed please contact our Business Services team on 01273 892127 or via email.

You must be in a role that will allow you the opportunity to develop the necessary skills, knowledge and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship. Additionally, apprentices must have a working level of maths and English that will allow successful achievement of level 1 functional skill prior to the end point assessment.

If you do not currently have an employer please visit the main Apprenticeships page for guidance on how to find and apply for an apprenticeship opportunity or register for our Talent Bank service.

If you are an employer and would like to recruit or enrol an existing employee onto an apprenticeship please contact our Business Services team on 01273 892127 or via email.

Facilities

We’re very proud of our excellent equine facilities here at Plumpton. You’ll be able to use our 30m x 60m outdoor menege in addition to equipment such as a cross-country course, treadmill and weigh bridge.