Experience with Horses

I had owned and loaned various horses and ponies on DIY livery from 1989-2014 when my last pony died. During that time I was generally a happy hacker doing both roadwork and bridleway/farm riding. I also successfully hand walked, long reined, backed and brought on to hacking canter work several youngsters. This included desensitising exercises and games in the school and short gentle lunging sessions just to introduce them to the concept. I would say I am more of a natural empathetic horsemanship style handler while still expecting safe boundaried behaviour in my care.

From 2015 to 2019 I rode hacks out semi regularly with both the Quantock School of Riding Equestrian Centre (now sadly closed down), and Burrowhayes Farm. Riding out on the Quantock Hills and Exmoor including roadwork.

As a self employed groom from 2015 (part time), 2017 (full time) I cared for several different horses and ponies including all daily care, stable management, paddock management, handling for farriers, vets, bodyworkers etc.

Key Skills

I seem to have a natural ability with nervous and inexperienced horses and ponies and have many small examples of earning trust and helping them to overcome any fear or worries they may have regarding certain situations.  I do enjoy working alone and whilst I would not suit the busy environment of commercial or competition yards I am able to work very well with others that have similar standards and handling styles to me.

I have high standards when it comes to maintenance and management of all aspects of caring for horses. Very tidy safe areas. Clean well maintained equipment and tools. Cleanliness especially of feeding and first aid areas. And of course the care and grooming of the horses themselves.

Strengths and Weaknesses

 

• What do you most enjoy about working with horses?

I enjoy the one-to-one relationship of building trust with each equine and learnng their personality, preferences, and quirks. I also do enjoy the physical work and the amount of time spent outdoors. The satisfaction of clean, ready to come in to stables. A tidy and well organised yard, feed room, tack room, equipment and supplies area.

 

• Is there anything you’d like to improve?

I would like to improve my knowledge in other disciplines in general and to continue learning more about horses and their care and education. I would also welcome the chance to start riding again and would look to fulfil this offsite at an equestrian centre either before riding in position or as a regular activity during my time off if riding was not part of my job.

 

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

I am mature, dedicated, versatile and adaptable. I am fit, healthy and capable and looking for a secure stable situation in which I can be an asset to both the owner, their equines (and any other pets), and property for the long term future,

 

Requirements

 

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

 

Due to the Covid19 situation I felt quite vulnerable in my self employed position and decided to look for PAYE employment for more security. As part of my hope to become a live in domestic groom at some point in the future I decided gaining experience in any domestic situation would be a great addition to my CV. After this past 3 years as a live-in housekeeper I would now like to move back to a role with either some or all horse care.  I am very open to gaining more knowledge and experience of all aspects of horse care and stable yard management. There is always something new to learn and although I consider myself somewhat experienced in a lot of aspects of horse and stable management I feel the value of learning from other horse people and the horses themselves is a neverending journey.

 

• 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? No

 

• Do you have any holidays booked that an employer needs to know of? No