Future Requirements

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

Gain more experience, meet more people and just enjoy working with horses!

• Do you need accommodation?

Yes – live in is preferable.

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

I would like to bring my horse – he’s a very well behaved thoroughbred gelding, 15.3hh – so a stable/livery space would be ideal.

• Do you have any ongoing commitments?

No current ongoing commitments, finishing college in June and just looking to work and gain experience, with no intention of university or leaving for any other commitments.

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

No

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 started riding horses aged 8, and started volunteering at the livery yard/riding school, doing all jobs like mucking out and haynets. As my experience and ability increased I started doing ridden work for the liveries as well. I started competing at this yard, where I discovered my perfectionism for show turnout. When I was 12 I started paid work for the same yard, taking over more responsibility for all horses, from riding school ponies to fit, high level show jumpers. At this yard I also completed several BHS stages in ridden work and stable management. I started loaning horses when I was 14, where I continued competing, and refining skills like show turnout, and also started gaining experience with young racehorses.

I have had many types of horses on loan including powerful ponies jumping round hedges, opinionated new forest ponies, and 1.20 show jumpers. I have tried out almost every discipline on these horses, however showjumping and eventing are the ones that stuck!

At around 15 I gained an interest working in bloodstock and racing, and started working on a race yard, where I would muck all my designated horses out (around 10-20 each morning) and ride out. Here I dealt with many spicy, young thoroughbreds, helped back the youngsters and keeping the active racers fit. At this yard I was one of 15 grooms, so have worked in large, busy teams and thrived. I have also regularly worked alone, whether it’s as a competition groom when I’m away, or short term/cover work on the smaller yards.

At 18, I do now own my own ex-racer, whom I have done pretty much everything with! After tearing a suspensory, I rehabbed him, I have also introduced him to showjumping, cross-country, dressage etc. He can be quirky to ride, as are most tbs, so I have had countless lessons with some of the best instructors and am very confident in my riding ability at this stage of my career.

I have also been out as a competition groom regularly for my friend who events around 100, and many other show jumpers and dressage riders. Any horse under my care is always turned out to the best possible standard, and treated with the upmost care both home and away, all stable jobs are done to high standard, and I treat all horses like I treat my own.

 

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

Since starting working with horses, I have gained experience in many equine skills. I can clip, however would like to improve this a bit, I have plaited more horses than I can count, and would never turn a horse out with a dodgy plait, they are always done to perfection! I have done many quarter marks, bathing, and all essentials for show turnout. I love working in a team and meeting new people, however I am also very good at working alone, and can adjust to suit most working conditions. On the yard, I have done most things, mucking out, haynets, poo picking, turn out (including young stock, foals, and sport horses) etc. I particularly enjoy riding/working young horses and improving a horses education as I find they can be incredibly rewarding although I can ride and handle all types of horses, however I have very limited experience working with stallions.

I have also done lots of long reining, lunging, water treadmills, in hand exercises and groundwork as well as riding. I am also experienced in basic first aid, having done hundreds of poultices, bandaging, and dealing with daily injuries/scrapes/pulled muscles/infections.

I am good with other animals, I love dogs and am always happy to pet sit more than just horses! I can also cook, bake, and am good with kids.

 

Strengths and Weaknesses

• What do you most enjoy about working with horses?

I love the rewarding feeling of improving horses education, or feeling them return to normal after a period of rehab. Helping a horse be happy and comfortable, and create a bond with an animal that trusts you with its entire existence is my favourite thing about working with horses.

• Is there anything you’d like to improve?

I am always happy to improve any of my skills. I would particularly like to gain more experience clipping and continue to improve my show turnout. I’d also like to get driving licences for the larger transportation (e.g.3.5T, or HGV), whether this be prior to, or part of the position.

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

I am incredibly hard working, punctual and efficient. I always put the horse first and aim to do things to the best of my ability, whilst seeking to improve all of my skills at the same time. I am reliable, and will always be dedicated to the job for the long run. I have good people/social skills, love working in a team, and am always open to new opportunities!