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.

Over the years I have worked in a range of various settings in the horse industry, some of these include but are not limited to working in a riding school and being involved with hosting pony club activities for the younger children and organizing and hosting shows at the yard. Managing a hacking Centre with 20 horses, taking bookings and providing great customer service, organizing and leading rides for complete beginners and teaching them the basics to taking our more experienced clients out on faster rides across the forest. Taking full care of the horses and yard and managing a team of staff to help during busy periods. I have also looked after various horses and ponies on a freelance basis and catered to each of the animals different needs. I have taken sole charge of yards and looked after sized animals from Shetland ponies to 18hh Heavy horses. I am calm, knowledgeable, hard working, and used to dealing with big, fit heavy horses. I can run a yard single handedly or can also manage a team of staff if required. I am a confident and capable rider and I am happy dealing with the more opinionated horses as well as the kick along happy hackers. I have owned several of my own horses over the years including Irish sports horses, Irish draughts and I currently own a Percheron who is out on loan at my friends trekking Centre, where I regularly help out at to take customers out on rides and assist in the running of the yard day to day. I also own an 18hh Belgian Draft gelding at home who I rescued and had to put a lot of time and work into him, but he has come on so far and he is my absolute heart horse.

 

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

Experience with sole charge of yards and running a larger yard and managing a team of grooms. Happy working alone or in a team. I have great organizational skills to ensure everything gets done and in order of importance, able to complete all yards duties to high standards, experience with teaching beginners the basics of riding and taking experienced riders out for exciting adventures. I give 100% to the care of the horses and I take pride in my work and can turn my hand to most yard/farm related duties and i am not afraid of hard work.

I also have my class 1 lorry license and I am competent at driving large vehicles and transporting goods and animals. I also have a background in Admin & Office manager roles. As well as working with children in home environments to better their independence and managing supporting living environments for Adults and children with mental health and learning disabilities so I have multiple other transferable skills to bring to a role as well.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• What do you most enjoy about working with horses?

Building a connection with the horses and the freedom of being outdoors and surrounded by nature.

 

• Is there anything you’d like to improve?

I’d love to work towards building on my professional qualifications if possible to back up my current knowledge and experience base.

 

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

I am honest, hard working and reliable, my only commitment is my own horse who is my world, if the opportunity arose, I would love for him to join me in a live in position in the future. I enjoy being surrounded by horses and nature and take great pride in my work and the welfare of the horses and animals in my care.

 

Requirements

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

I would be happy integrating into a family and taking sole charge of their yard and caring for the horses and other animals, as well as helping out with the children and admin duties. Equally I would be happy working in a larger yard environment too on my own or as part of a team.

 

• Do you need accommodation?

Accommodation would be ideal. However I am able to consider positions that do not offer accommodation too.

 

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

If I was happy and settled in a new position, I would like to consider bringing my Belgian draft gelding with me. However this is not a necessity as he is happy and settled in our current set up already.

 

• Do you have any ongoing commitments?

N/A

 

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

I have a few pre booked holiday dates, that could be discussed at interview stage.