General articles, thoughts, ideas and topics!
There’s the age old saying ‘no foot no horse’ which is very true, I also think this is true for legs. If you really think about how fragile the horses legs are and the stresses we put them under its really quite scary, so its our job to do everything we can to help prevent injury, wear and tear on the limbs. Super Groom Kate Harley gives her advice on looking after the legs of the horses in your care.
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Not a lot of people realise that salaries in the horse racing industry are different to those of any other equine sector. Certain Minimum Wage and employment standards are agreed between the National Trainers Federation and the National Association of Racing Staff (Also known as “NARS”), and these set the horse racing industry apart from any other equine industry sector. Read on to find out more about working in the horse racing industry.
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There is often much confusion about employment contracts in the equine industry, and it’s very easy for both employers and grooms to make mistakes that, in the worst case scenario, can be devastating further on in time. Read our simple guide and make sure you’re in the know and on the right side of the law when it comes to employment contracts.
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Sometimes, making and accepting a job offer can be somewhat rushed and not treated with the formality it really does require. Whilst it’s a huge relief to have reached this stage, it is by no means the end of the process! There is still time for things to unravel and go wrong, and sometimes badly wrong, which it’s why it’s so important for both employers and job seekers to approach this stage with care and to put aside a little quality time to get it spot-on! Read our guidance on making and accepting a formal job offer…
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Offering and accepting a job offer can be a time of mixed emotions – happiness, relief, anxiety, and even confusion in some circumstances. But occasionally things go wrong when they’ve barely begun and the job offer is withdrawn. Where do employers and job seekers stand when a job offer/acceptance is withdrawn?
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A “Written Statement of Employment Particulars” is the part of an employment contract that has to be given in writing within two months of an employee starting work, and both employers and employees need to know what it must contain and what it can contain. Make sure you know where you stand!
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Recognised the world over as a quintessentially British pastime, a major horse race can cause people to flock to the tracks by the thousands. And the spectacle isn’t all about the sport; British horse racing has become synonymous with high fashion, haute-cuisine, A-list celebrities and even members of the Royal family, to say nothing of the incredibly impressive horses and the feats they accomplish. From the Royal Ascot to the Cheltenham festival, Britain leads the way when it comes to world-famous racing events. And with that in mind, we thought you’d a appreciate a summary of the UK’s main horse racing events, focussing on the best of them all!
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Minor injuries occur far too commonly in every horse’s life, so Sean Whiting, Director of specialist country and equestrian store Houghton Country, offers his advice for treating small bumps and scrapes.
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Professional Groom Lucy Blain reflects on her role as a groom and considers the multi-faceted role she has played in the lives of her bosses and co-workers. Is anyone really “just a groom”?
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Physical work and heavy lifting is an inevitable part of a life with horses, whether you’re a Home Groom, Competition Groom, or a leisure horse owner. Seonaidh Jamieson is a level 3 personal trainer and level 3 manual handling trainer. She has worked with riders across the world to improve their fitness for riding through her business, Cherry Tree Training. Here, Seonaidh gives invaluable advice on keeping ourselves pain-free when lifting and lugging in our daily lives on the yard.
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County shows are an integral part of rural life and a real opportunity for the wider agricultural community to come together and showcase their talents, produce and passion for what they do. For the equine world, county shows provide something for all levels and a huge variety of disciplines. For the amateur rider, just qualifying for a county show is a big deal and something they will work towards and see as a highlight of the season. For professional/competitive riders county shows are the all-important qualifiers for their bigger classes at HOYS/RI (Horse Of The Year Show/Royal International) and an equally vital part of the season. Whether a competitor, groom or spectator, there really is something for everyone at these charming local events, as Becky Parker explains…
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For most of the grooms out there, you may have a chosen discipline or two that sets your heart racing and is your main point of interest. However, what about a show where you can see the great and good of the horse world, from a huge array of equine disciplines, all in one place? Of course, we can only mean one thing, the imminent Royal Windsor Horse Show!
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The May Day Bank Holiday is the first of two Bank Holiday weekends in May each year, but how much do we know about this annual holiday? All of us know that one person who is a mine of useful information, and guest blogger Kelly Wallace Horne is one such individual. For the more enquiring amongst you, do have a read…I certainly learned something!
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Teamwork makes the dream work with horses for sure, but one key member of that team you definitely need ‘onside’ is the farrier! A chatty farrier that is both good at their job and pleased to see you, rather than gritting their teeth and glaring at you with a resigned look of ‘let’s get this over with’, is also an awful lot more pleasant to have around. The question is… how to achieve this?
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Easter means many different things to many people, according to a person’s origin, faith, creed and (in my case) a love of chocolate (OK, OK! I’m not afraid to admit it!)Right, let’s get the serious bit out of the way first – have you ever wondered why, unlike Christmas, the date for Easter changes every year? Well, the fact is, in Christianity, it is known to be the Sunday that marks the end of the Holy Week, an event that commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and this is what dictates when Easter is each year according to when the full moon falls in relation to other events in the Christian calendar. BUT! Easter is NOT just about Christianity, there is much more to it than that! So, whatever your beliefs, to celebrate here are 10 interesting, funny and simply ridiculous facts about Easter…
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Incredibly, there are a remarkable number of admirable people who find working with horses all day, every day, isn’t quite enough. It is a truly a measure of a person’s dedication to an animal that, on top of what is widely considered a very demanding job, so many Grooms still choose to have their own horse(s) too. What does it take to successfully balance owning AND working with horses? How do Grooms do it?
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My name is Olivia Alstad. I’m a Canadian rider who moved to the UK to train and learn more about the sport of eventing. With no plan or education on the apprenticeship scheme, I made all the rookie errors! I’ve written an article to help you in your pursuit of a suitable apprenticeship, avoiding all the major mistakes that I made!
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You may not realise it, but Apprentice Grooms are always winning! Whether you’re a school-leaver looking to forge a successful career in the equine industry or an established groom who would like formal recognition of your abilities with qualifications, an equine apprenticeship will be an almost surefire way of achieving your goals…
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They say “choose a career you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”, and for a lot of horse lovers a career in the equine industry would be a dream come true. But how different is working with horses to keeping them as a hobby?
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It’s National Apprenticeship Week 10th February – 16th February 2025 – a perfect time for grooms to explore the possibilities of gaining nationally recognised qualifications without having to take time out from work, and employers to consider expanding their team by taking on an apprentice groom! Why is this so important to the equine industry? Because the equine industry NEEDS you to! Before dismissing the idea of becoming or employing an apprentice, read our 5 reasons why the equine industry needs Apprentice Grooms…
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