Experience with Horses

Outline your experience with horses here/the scope of your freelance services. If you’re looking for a non-equine or non- yard-based job please use this space to describe your experience skills/abilities and adapt the questions to suit your line of work.

I have only worked with horses for around 1 year. Whilst completing my studies at Loughborough University, I have been regularly working on Sundays at a local livery yard. Duties include (but not limited to: rug changes, picking feet out, turn out and bring in, mucking out, poo picking, making feeds and filling hay/haylage nets. I have a basic knowledge of horse care.

Whilst not having any equine based qualifications, I have learnt a lot through: being taught the basics from a friend, volunteering at a local riding school, and working at Home Farm livery. With horses there is always something new that can be learnt, therefore to gain an official qualification and to potentially fill some gaps in my knowledge, I am currently working towards completing the BHS Stage 1 in Complete Horsemanship (assessment completion c. August 2023). In the future I also hope to work my way through the BHS stages to further my knowledge and deepen my understanding of horse welfare and stable management. Therefore I also will complete any relevant training required, such as safeguarding and health and safety, so that the job can be done as safely as possible.

I first started ‘working’ with horses in December 2021 at a friend’s yard where I was completely thrown in the deep end. Here I learnt basic stable management skills and the ability to safely handle horses ranging from an energetic 4 year-old OTTB to a 33 year-old pony. Since then, when I started work at the livery yard, I have successfully and safely handled numerous horses, and despite the occasional rear or spook, my confidence has increased. Further, care and welfare of horses is paramount in the work that I do. In the event that I have found a horse to be lame, or any other issue such as being cast, I have quickly alerted the yard manager to the situation and, where possible, the issue has been resolved. I have been around equines for over 1 year now, in both an informal and formal capacity.

Over the past few years I have discovered that working outdoors is where I want to be and what I love to do whatever the weather. Rain or shine I always have a smile on my face. A good work ethic and reliability are two of my key attributes that I always uphold. A typical day at the livery is extremely busy, often with 8 horses on full livery meaning that work is non-stop all day, and efficiency is key. I take pride in my organisational ability and ability to work in a time efficient manner, and this enables me to complete all required tasks to a high standard within my working hours. Despite the hard work, I thoroughly enjoy it and it puts me in a good mood; not only because I get to spend time with horses but also because it is physically demanding. With horses inherently being flight animals, I have come to learn that patience is key. This can be seen through one of the ponies that is normally on bring in. You can call him and try to bribe him, however he will only let you catch him on his own terms. Dealing with him has lead me to remain patient, calm, and positive even though by that time of day I have many other horses to bring in and finish off with little time left to do so.

Working on a busy livery yard means that in addition to carrying out daily yard duties, professionalism is key. Therefore I always act in a professional manner and maintain an excellent relationship with the horse owners on the yard. I also ensure the adherence to the Health and Safety legislation and working procedures that affect all. This also includes ensuring that appropriate records, policies and procedures are followed.

In addition to this I have the ability to ride horses and ponies for exercise. Through developing my skills at different riding schools, I am able to confidently walk, trot, and canter and have experience riding horses with different personalities. Recently, I joined Loughborough University’s Polo club, and have attended many training sessions at both Rugby and Leadenham Polo Clubs and have enjoyed riding the responsive and energetic polo ponies. As honesty is a value of high importance to me, I am aware that there is also room for improvement with respect to my riding ability, however I am always willing to learn to improve my skills and abilities, and take on any feedback that will better these.

 

Key Skills

What are you particularly good at? For example: working alone, working with others, clipping, plaiting, turning out for shows, handling stallions, handling/riding young horses, non-equine skills etc

I excel at working alone as I am an incredibly motivated individual, and I am efficient and can work in a timely manner as I am used to having 8 or 9 horses on full livery including more on turnout and/or bring in. I am also good at communication and a good problem solver.

 

 

Strengths and Weaknesses

• What do you most enjoy about working with horses?

I enjoy being able to allow the horses to love living their lives, and see them improve and come out of their shells over time.

• Is there anything you’d like to improve?

I still have a lot to learn therefore I’d like to improve my knowledge of horse care.

• Why should employers consider you above any other job seeker?

I am always willing to learn, and more often than not I can be told something once and 9 times out of 10 I will remember it.

Requirements

• What would you like to do or gain in your next job?

I’d like to be a groom with the opportunity of undertaking rehabilitation/massage qualifications so that I can branch out into that part of the industry.

• Do you need accommodation?

Yes

• Do you have any special requirements for any animals you wish to bring with you?

No

• Do you have any ongoing commitments?

Long distance runner (training can be fitted around work)

• Do you have any holidays booked that an employer needs to know of?

No