Experience with Horses

I have been involved with horses since I was seven and have had my own since young. I have worked on a riding school in my early teenage years and then moved onto a sales yard.

I have worked at the sales yard for 4 years and since leaving college have increased my hours to full time. My roles include; bringing in/ turning out, mucking out, haying, feeding, looking after and feeding the yard dog, riding for exercise, vettings, viewings and sales videos, hacking, jumping, cross country, beach rides and everything else involved in sales videos. I am solely in charge and work alone 4 mornings a week and work with the yard owner and other riders 1-2 days a week. This shows I can work alone and in a group. I have to deal with customers and often hold viewings and vettings alone. I have a close and constant relationship with lots of vets in the area, farriers, customers, owners and hay and straw dealers and can confidently talk to them and book in appointments etc. I also do all of her holiday cover and this can be over 14 days 3x a year of me being solely incharge and caring for all the horses and running her business completely alone.

I have also worked at a stud/ livery yard for the last 3 years, this role has just been part time for me as they are a small private family showjumping yard. I was responsible for the care of 3 young showjumpers, 4 foals, 2 retired horses, 1 broodmare and a handful of liveries. This included mucking out, haying, feeding, making feeds, checking stock, turning out, bringing in, rugging, poo picking, checking waters, worming, occasional health care and holding for farriers etc.

Over the years I have also started to do occasional freelance work. This could be holiday cover, house sitting, dog sitting, riding, backing, poo picking, yard work, show groom etc. None of these have been full time jobs, just occasional work for clients.

Key Skills

My best skill I have developed over the years with working with horses is definitely my high standard of care and yard maintenance. I definitely pride myself on maintaining a clean and organised yard full off happy horses. I can work quickly and efficiently and have a high work ethic. I am sociable and enjoy working with others but also very happy to crack on alone. Another important skill I have is the want to learn. I have done my BHS levels up to stage 2 and aim to do more, I enjoy riding new horses and learning and improving my skills.

I have lots of experience handling horses of all ages and sizes and am confident doing so.

I also have experience riding a wide variety of horses and ride new horses every week. At my current sales yard we deal with anything from slow old cobs to young imported 4 year olds. I enjoy the variety and adapting to new horses and am always looking to improve both myself and the horse.

Qualifications

My relevant qualifications are:

• full UK driving licence
• own car
• Level 3 extended diploma in Equine Management Btec
• BHS silver challenge award
• BHS stage 1
• BHS ride and care stage 2
• 10 GCSEs

I studied at Moulton College for two years where I gained my BHS levels and a level 3 extended diploma in Equine Management. Whilst here I had to do 300 hours of work experience along with working part time at 2 yards. So I gained lots of experience over those two years.