Apprentice Equine Groom - Riding and BHS Stages

CARON ROBERTS EQUESTRIAN LTD

SWINDON (SN4 7SA)

Closes in 31 days (Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 30 January 2026

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Summary

The dedicated and friendly team at Caron Roberts Equestrian are now looking for an equine apprentice to join them at their livery and coaching centre based in Wiltshire.

• Wage:

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

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Equine groom (level 2)
• Hours: Five days out of seven, hours will be 7:30am to 5pm with breaks.

  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

Caron Roberts Equestrian are a livery and coaching centre based in Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire. They offer a range of livery packages to suit a wide variety of owners, from ”happy hackers” to 2* competition horses.

Each of their horses are catered for on an individual basis and not just another head over the door. They have a dedicated and friendly team of qualified staff to ensure they provide the best service.

The yard is never left unattended during the day and they also live on site.

This is a great chance to work with a variety of horses on a wonderful yard, with people dedicated and passionate about coaching.

General duties to include:

• Mucking out
• Turning out/bringing in
• Preparing horses for lessons
• Feeding/water/hay net filling
• Yard and paddock maintenance
• Exercising horses (non-ridden & ridden)
• Holding for vet/farrier/dentist

Opportunity to learn about rehabilitation work with a vet. Some eventing opportunities for the right candidate

Caron’s passion for coaching and putting learners through their qualifications means this is NOT just a ‘cheap mucker outer’ position! The role is 5 days a week, 7.30-5pm with the opportunity to live in and bring your own horse. You will receive lots of training on and off the horse, some are class room based, as well as bringing home the apprenticeship wage. They will train you in all aspects of the industry including clipping, plaiting, customer care etc. With the end goal of you feeling experienced and confident to take on more of a management position or run your own yard, be a top groom or sole charge of a yard. As well as the apprenticeship qualification they encourage you to take your BHS exams to add to your own CV and maximise your time with them. Whether its starting with BHS Stage 1 or BHS Stage 4, they can provide you with all the training you need in order to gain these qualifications.

Caron started out as a apprentice herself so totally understands what is required to succeed in the equine world. They are looking for a honest, keen, happy person to join our current team

They are dedicated & passionate about coaching and training and to certainly give you more than just what you need to pass you apprenticeship.

Accommodation on site and space for own horse on livery. Can be an immediate start.

Where you'll work

LANES FARM
MARLBOROUGH ROAD
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT
SWINDON
SN4 7SA

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)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• 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

• A level 2 certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the apprenticeship
• All training will take place within the workplace
• Your dedicated trainer coach will visit you at work every 4 weeks.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent 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
• Customer care skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Physical fitness

About this employer

Caron Roberts Equestrian are a livery and coaching centre based in Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire. They offer a range of livery packages to suit a wide variety of owners, from ”happy hackers” to 2* competition horses.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Potential to move into a full time position or Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship (senior equine groom) on completion of Level 2.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

HADDON TRAINING LIMITED

emma.openshaw@haddontraining.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000250777.

Apply now

Closes in 31 days (Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm)