Equine Groom

As an equine groom, you will work in a vocational field where you will be required to handle various horses in various working environments.

You must adhere to safe working practices, be prepared to work in all weather situations, and often work outside regular business hours.

You will require dedication, commitment, and physical and mental strength to cope with the rigours of the work. It is conceivable that you may be forced to live on-site for part or all of your apprenticeship.

You will use your knowledge and skills, as well as your practical experience and empathy, to maintain the horses’ fitness and mental well-being.

You will be in charge of feeding, grooming, cleaning equipment, handling, preparing, and exercising the horses, as well as general yard maintenance. You may also assist with horse preparation, transportation, and maintenance.

What you’ll learn

On an equine groom apprenticeship course, you’ll learn:

• Routine yard and field duties and horse husbandry. 
• The principles of stabling and grassland care. 
• Policies and procedures for new horse(s) arriving on the yard. 
• How to minimise waste and environmental and sustainable working practices.
• Equine terminology used to describe horses. 
• Basic anatomy and physiology, including the digestive and skeletal systems. 
• The core principles of horse welfare (including health) and care of the sick horse. 
• The basics of current legal welfare requirements. 
• The importance of routine health care and record-keeping, including veterinary reports, passports, vaccinations, worming, farriery, dentistry, etc.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment comprises three distinct assessment methods: 

• A knowledge test
• A practical observation 
• A professional discussion 

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 2 Equine Groom Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.