Equine Apprenticeship - Western Riding Ranch
Valley View Ranch & Equestrian Centre
HEREFORD (HR1 3JQ)
Closes in 29 days (Friday 27 February 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 27 January 2026
Contents
Summary
Amazing opportunity to work on an American horse ranch in Herefordshire, which trains horses and riders to international competition level, runs clinics, western experience days and ranch holidays.
- Wage
-
£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Equine groom (level 2)
- Hours
-
40 hours per week, over 5 days. To include some weekend work. Exact days and hours to be discussed with the employer.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 2 March 2026
- Duration
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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
All General Yard Duties:
- Mucking out/keeping yard tidy
- Filling haynets/water buckets
- Feeding
- Turning in and out
- Grooming and tacking up
- Riding available for the right candidate
Where you'll work
ULLINGSWICK
HEREFORD
HR1 3JQ
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
- All training will be provided on-site during your paid working hours
- Your day-to-day mentoring will be with your employer, and a combination of online and in-person monthly sessions will be held with your Haddon Training Trainer Coach
- Level 2 Equine Groom apprenticeship, including Functional Skills in English and maths if required
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
- Presentation skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Passion to work with horses
Other requirements
- There is no accommodation available with this role, so please make sure you can get there daily before applying
- No livery for own horse
- This is a non-ridden apprenticeship
About this employer
-
OUR STORY
Valley View Ranch is a unique American horse ranch set in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside, created by owners Bruce & Tina Lawrence. A 5 Star Licenced Riding Centre offering western riding training, breeding, ranch holidays and events.
After this apprenticeship
Progression to the Level 3 Senior Groom and or possibility of full-time employment.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
HADDON TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000010991.
Apply now
Closes in 29 days (Friday 27 February 2026 at 11:59pm)