Equine Groom Apprentice for Busy Riding School/Livery Yard
TRENT VALLEY EQUESTRIAN LLP
SOUTHWELL (NG25 0TR)
Closes today at 11:59pm
Posted on 17 April 2026
Contents
Summary
An excellent opportunity has arisen at Trent Valley to work on a yard with a real mix of horses and ponies, from Showjumpers to hunters, this yard has it all and is also the current BHS Exam Centre for budding teaching enthusiasts to gain their BHS Stages and teaching qualifications.
- Wage
-
£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Equine groom (level 2)
- Hours
-
Hours are 37 per week over 4 days to include 1 weekend day, Weds, Thurs and Fri 8.00am - 6.00pm and the weekend day 7.30am - 4.00pm.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Saturday 18 July 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
All general yard duties to include:
- Mucking out
- Turning in and out, changing rugs, picking out feet
- Feeding, filling haynets, filling water buckets
- Tacking up and untacking
- Lunging
- Helping with in-house competitions
- Riding available for the right candidate
Where you'll work
SYNDRE FARM
OCCUPATION LANE
FISKERTON
SOUTHWELL
NG25 0TR
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
- Equine Groom Level 2
- Training will be conducted at the employer's premises, supported by the employer, and delivered by 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
- Presentation skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
There is no accommodation available with this position , but it is easily accessible by both Train and Bus, please make sure you can get there and back daily before applying. There is the possibility of livery for own horse for the right candidate.
About this employer
Established in 1958 by Joy Wilson the Riding centre first started on a small piece of land in Southwell on Crafts Way. Over time the school grew and the family moved to the centre of Southwell on Westgate .In 1990 when her mother "Joy" decided to retire, Rose relocated Trentvalley to our current site just outside Southwell. This consisted of just two stables, 5 acres, one tap and 14 horses and ponies. Over the following years the centre has developed into an area of over 300 acres, many stables, arenas and approximately 100 horses and ponies. Trentvalley has been fortunate to have met some wonderful clients and friends, (some clients have been with us for over 30 years) all who have helped develop and build what we hope and believe to be the "East Midlands Riding Centre of Choice".
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- Progression to the Level 3 Senior Groom
- Possiblity of full time employment on completion of the apprenticeship
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
HADDON TRAINING LIMITED
Emma
emma.openshaw@haddontraining.co.uk
07749577150
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000025970.
Apply now
Closes today at 11:59pm