1. 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 several years of private experience with horses, owning 4 from the age of 6 – 13 then riding and grooming 3 ex dutch racehorses for 5 years. I then did a degree in animal biology and ecology at the university of Stirling which gave me a wider range of experience including all animal categories from mammals to birds and marine life.

i also have various skills outside of animals including a wide range of activity instructing and management, activities include archery, air rifles, axe throwing, quad biking and treetop courses. i also have an atv quad bike ticket to operate all sizes of bikes and ride on garden machinery.

I have done various types of groundsman work including strimming, mowing, general gardening and fence building, this experience comes from the 500 acre estate of Crieff hydro where I currently instruct activities and I am caretaker of all the current animals including alpacas, donkeys, goats, chickens, rabbits and parrots

 

 

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 have a wide range of skills ranging from animal husbandry to groundsman work and assisting in estate management.

working with equine and other animals has allowed me to gain experience in areas such as clipping, mucking out, turning out, grooming to high standards and riding a various range of horses from the ages of 3-25.

I have also recently planned, coordinate and market a new animal park currently set to open in spring 2025 on the Crieff hydro estate. animals include various bird species from birds of prey to peacocks and budgies, large animals like highland cows and llamas.

 

Regarding groundsman work, I take care of the whole animal sector of Crieff hydro and the surrounding area making sure it is all cleanly maintained and have built several paddocks and free standing shelters. I am confident using equipment such as strimmers, mowers (ride on or otherwise), leaf blowers and power washers.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• What do you most enjoy about working with horses?

I enjoy the constant excitement and variety, every horse has their own personality and I love to see it change and grow day to day along with their skills.

This is the same case for all animals as I have worked with a wide variety and every animal is different, requiring different kinds of attention and nurturing which is always enjoyable to learn and figure out along the way.

i also enjoy the work behind the scenes that makes the animals and the place they are kept looking just as good as them, keeping everything nice and tidy,

• Is there anything you’d like to improve?

I would love to improve my knowledge and experience in the breeding sector of horse/animal management, I have always wanted to work a birthing season and learn all the different aspects from insemination to weaning them on to solid foods.

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

I have a love for animals not many others possess along with the skill set to keep those animals alive and thriving no matter what they need. Whether it’s a 1am bottle visits or building the roof over their heads it will be done with enthusiasm and a smile.

Requirements

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

I would like to work in a varied job role, working with animals big or small and all the work behind the scenes, I would also love to gain experience in foaling and birthing seasons.

• Do you need accommodation?

Yes me and my partner would require accommodation

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

Not currently

• Do you have any ongoing commitments?

Not currently

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

Currently 10th to 15th of march and rough area of the last week of may