RETRAINING RIDER/GROOM

British Grooms Association; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation

Pets allowed

Job summary

British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre in Lancashire is seeking a Retraining Rider/Groom to join the team. You will work alongside the Yard Manager and Retraining team to care for horses, manage stable routines and contribute to their retraining programme.

The role involves both ridden and groundwork with Thoroughbreds at different retraining stages; you will help prepare horses for new homes and support welfare across the retraining journey.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year’s experience in a busy equestrian environment.
• Confident handling horses from the ground and under saddle.
• Team player who can also work independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide a high standard of daily care for the horses, including mucking out, feeding, haying, watering, grooming and checking health.
• Turn horses out and in from fields; manage horse walker as needed and present horses well.
• Exercise horses from the ground and under saddle as directed by retraining team.
• Maintain tack and yard facilities; keep yard tidy, report damage or maintenance issues.
• Follow health and safety procedures and promote welfare for all horses.
• Assist with other yard and retraining duties as required by the Yard Manager.

Job description

Retraining Rider/Groom

Location: Lancashire

• Days per week: 5.5
• Job Work Type: Full time
• Sector: Other
• Job Type: Groom Rider
• Salary: Up to £26,000 per annum (depending on experience)
• Pets allowed
• Accommodation

The Role

We are looking for a Retraining Rider/Groom to join our team at the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre. The successful candidate will work alongside the Yard Manager and Retraining team to provide high standards of care, stable management and exercise for the horses at BTRC. The role will involve both ridden and groundwork, with the opportunity to work with a variety of Thoroughbreds at different stages of their retraining.

The role as a Retraining Rider/Groom, you will play an important part in the day‑to‑day care and retraining of our horses. You will be responsible for ensuring the horses in your care are well looked after, exercised appropriately and prepared to progress through their retraining programme.

Your Day‑to‑day Duties Will Include

• Providing a high standard of daily care for the horses at BTRC. Carrying out all aspects of stable routine, including mucking out, feeding, haying, watering, picking out feet, grooming and checking horses for any signs of injury or illness.
• Turning horses out and bringing them in from the fields. Putting horses on and taking them off the horse walker as required. Washing off horses after exercise and maintaining their general presentation.
• Exercising horses both from the ground and under saddle, as directed by the Head of Retraining. Adapting exercise and training to suit individual horses and their stage of retraining.
• Keeping tack clean and well maintained, including cleaning bits after use. Keeping on top of regular horse care such as trimming, bathing and other scheduled yard tasks. Maintaining a clean, tidy and safe yard, including the tack, feed and rug rooms. Taking care of yard equipment and facilities and reporting any damage or maintenance issues.
• Reporting any concerns regarding horses or staff to the Yard Manager or their delegate, including changes in behaviour, eating or drinking, injuries or lost shoes.
• Following all BTRC health and safety procedures and ensuring a safe working environment.
• Assisting with other yard and retraining duties as required by the Yard Manager.

About You

We are looking for someone with a genuine passion for horses and working within the equestrian industry.

A minimum of one year’s experience working within a busy equestrian environment, such as a riding school, livery yard or similar setting, is preferable but not essential.

You will be hardworking, trustworthy, dependable and responsible, with a positive outlook and a genuine love for horses. You will take pride in your work and understand the importance of providing consistently high standards of care and welfare.

The role requires someone who is confident handling horses both from the ground and under saddle, with a good understanding of horse behaviour and stable management. You should be able to work well as part of a team, take direction and also work independently when required.

The successful candidate will need to meet the challenge of caring for horses to a consistently high standard, recognising that every horse has individual needs. A good eye for detail is important, as is the ability to recognise and report changes in a horse’s health, behaviour or general wellbeing.

• Experience of working with Thoroughbreds, ex-racehorses or horses undergoing retraining would be advantageous.

Working at BTRC

This is an opportunity to work within a specialist Thoroughbred retraining environment and gain experience across all aspects of the care, rehabilitation and retraining of former racehorses.

No two days are the same, and you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of horses at different stages of their journey, helping to prepare them for suitable new homes.

The role is an important part of our wider work to promote the welfare of retired racehorses, and we are looking for someone who shares our commitment to providing every horse with the best possible care and opportunity.