Tips for Grooms Working with Horses at Christmas

Tips for Grooms Working with Horses at Christmas - ideas of things to do

Most weeks on social media Caroline wishes everyone, working or not, a good weekend. Here at The Grooms List by Caroline Carter Recruitment we recognise that a groom’s lot can sometimes be a Cinderella-like existence – whilst others are off relaxing, shopping etc., the world of the horse is around the clock weekends, holidays or not! Christmas and New Year are certainly no different.

Myself and The Grooms List team members have all done what you do, and this week’s article features 10 fun ideas to make the best of the forthcoming holiday season on the yard. We will certainly be thinking of you when we’re out doing our own horses over Christmas.

For the vast majority of ‘normal’ people, Christmas means a nice relaxing few days off, spending time with family and lounging around over a long boozy lunch. For the vast majority of employers and grooms working with horses at Christmas, it just means business as usual. In hunting and racing yards Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year, as boxing day meets are one of the most popular days out for owners.

Though it may be hard to fully convince yourself that shovelling poo is the first most ideal thing you would like to do on Christmas Day, there are plenty of ways to keep the festive spirit alive and still enjoy Christmas. Here are our top suggestions for how to survive the holiday season.

1. Have an early pretend Christmas

Many of us with separated parents will have cottoned onto this clever way of bagging yourself two Christmas days long ago. Move your personal celebrations with family/friends to your nearest day off to the event itself or better yet book a whole weekend off and make it your own mini bank holiday. This is a fantastic way to legitimise two separate days of eating excessive quantities of chocolate during the day and overindulging on beverages and too much food in the evening. When Christmas day itself comes round and you have less free time for both you won’t feel so much like you’ve missed out.

2. Organise a staff Christmas brunch

If you work with a few people or perhaps if you are just friendly with your boss or fellow local grooms from smaller private stables perhaps you can organise a get together for breakfast/brunch before everyone heads off to their respective family do’s or back to work. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, a hearty fry up or bacon roll, some spiced Christmas punch (or sneaky glass of mulled wine) and piece of cake – it is Christmas after all! Something to mark the day as special.

3. Skype/Facetime calls with family

This will really be a tactic that divides opinion. Being part of festivities through the wonder of free internet calls that also allow you to see the caller either make you feel included and part of the celebrations or bring heightened awareness to the fact that you are not there. Modern technology has made it so much easier to stay in touch with loved ones no matter where in the world they are. Whether it’s for you or not there’s no denying that It has certainly made a job that allows worldwide travel that bit less lonely.

Photo Credit Tina Johnson

4. Go for a Christmas jolly

Depending, of course, on the type of horses you work with and their respective schedules, it can be nice as a break from normal routine to head out for a long picturesque hack. If there is company to be had, either fellow workers or a fun outing with liveries it can be made into a jolly Santa type ride. Add tinsel (where safe to do so!) reindeer horns, bells if you’re really brave and see how many heads you can turn in the village. Alternatively, head out for a nice explorer type adventure around the countryside by yourself. Pray for the kind of crisp frosty morning that makes working outdoors worthwhile and enjoy the peaceful quiet of empty roads enjoying the fresh air, while others are all still indoors. The silence can be soul cleansing.

5. Treat yourself to something special

If circumstances are such that you find yourself spending Christmas evening home alone do not let this deter you from joining in the traditional spirit of overindulgence. Unlike everyone else, you will actually have earned all the extra calories! Understandably, cooking a full roast from scratch for one may feel like overkill but investing in a small joint and some pre-prepared stick in the oven veg, or just whatever meal tickles your fancy as a bit of a treat is a must. Get in a few nice drinks, sneak an extra sweet thing or two in the trolley and feel smug at how all this can be enjoyed in your PJ’s and slippers!

6. Watch all your own favourite cheesy Christmas movies

Do not underestimate the pleasure of full selfish control of the TV remote and/or DVD schedule. The joy of watching the terribly predictable Eastenders with no-one to point out the flaws, chuckling at how much you can relate to the Grinch and/or Scrooge, guiltily enjoying the horribly clichéd Love Actually/the epic 8 hour version of the Wizard of OZ for the 100^th time. Apologies if anyone loves that, apparently Caroline is a big fan, LOL! Make the most of this opportunity with a fully planned line up of interruption-free rubbish TV watching!

www.thehorse.com

7. Get crafty with gifts for the horses at Christmas

It is quite possible that your main companions on Christmas day will be the horses themselves. A nice way to mark the occasion for them and keep yourself feeling festive is to make up some treats and laugh at them trying to eat them. Using a screwdriver or any sharp implement make a hole in the middle of several different pieces of fruit/veg which you can thread a rope through and tie a knot at the end. This makes a basic hanging kebab stick for the horses to play within the stable. For the really enthusiastic groom here is a link to homemade ‘horse cookie’ recipes.

8. Make your day as easy as possible

Option A: Provided there are no impending events perhaps yourself and fellow grooms or employer can split the day into two shifts so everyone only has to work half a day. This may require starting early or finishing late but could give you up to half a day off to spend with family and friends.

Option B: If the above is not an option it should always be possible to make the day a little easier for yourself. Plan in advance for the day and get all the extra jobs done and out the way. Ensure all the horses are well worked in the days leading up to Christmas so they can afford to take it easy or even have a day off. Pre make extra haynets, bank up the beds, have the muck heap pushed back or trailer emptied ready to use. This way you can hopefully get done quickly and enjoy a long lunch and an early finish.

9. Read ‘Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm’

The book itself is, in fact, a collection of short stories but the main reason to buy this is for the title story ‘Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm’, which is a prequel to the fabulous book by Stella Gibbons that parodies the morbid doom-laden impression of country life in the 1940’s. It was also made into a film in 1995 with an impressive star-filled cast. The Christmas short story joins the wacky family during their Christmas Eve dinner where so much goes wrong and the whole situation is so dire you can’t help but finish it feeling amused and substantially better about your own situation. Buy it here

10. Stage a Christmas Day ‘photoshoot’

We have to finish with a good suggestion for silliness as that really is what getting into the festive spirit is all about. One that in fact I have already seen a good amount of spread all over my social media feed! Few can resist smiling at the ridiculousness of a horse dressed up for Christmas. The sky (or your horse’s drama queen levels) are the limit in possibilities are but we suggest…

A pair of gloves on the ears make a fetching set of reindeer antlers
Little is cuter than a horse in a Santa hat (extra points for baubles)
An extra large Christmas wreath around the neck
Any inventive use of tinsel, which notably can also be used to decorate the stable door for a framed headshot

Whether the pictures are for yourself or as an amusing Christmas message accompaniment for owners, simply taking the pictures themselves is sure to give you a good laugh.

When all is said and done the fact of it is, Christmas is just another day. Working with horses is, as we all know, not just a job it’s a lifestyle choice. Many of us do, whether we openly admit the fact or not, by far prefer the company of our equine and canine family to our human ones. Perhaps we’ve been looking at it all wrong and working Christmas day is simply a convenient excuse and the option we would all prefer! One things for sure there no need for Christmas at work to be a sad event, it is whatever you make of it.

Whatever you’re up to this year – Merry Christmas!

Stuck for last minute Christmas gift ideas?

Browse our gift ideas for your horsey friends, family and colleagues here!

Super-charge your career with our New Year’s Resolutions for Equine Job Seekers here!

Life as an Equine Groom

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Sparsholt College Hampshire

Live in Hampshire, UK

Equine Technician Salary: Up to £24,243 per annum (pro-rata if part-time) PLUS Potential for a £2,000 Recruitment Attraction Payment (pro-rata if part-time) for experienced appointees Full Time (37hrs per week) Onsite Accommodation Available / Reduced Rental Charge Exciting opportunities have arisen to join ourTeam. Working under the guidance of the Equine Centre Manager we are looking for full-time and part-time technicians to join the co team at our College and BHS approved livery yard. The primary role is to supervise students and facilitate their learning experience in a real working environment. This will include supervision and support of practical skills and development to maintain high standards in the care, husbandry, and training of our horses. The post holder will lead by example ensuring a positive, educational student experience that learner focused and rewarding. Outside of these sessions you will be working alongside the Equine team to provide high quality care to the college horses ensuring that the horses at the Equine Centre are kept in accordance with BHS standards. The post holder will also be responsible for aspects of administration, organisation, and the carrying out of day-to-day operation and activities associated with a dynamic Equine Centre including delivery of a varied events and competition calendar. Schooling of the College horses is included in this role with an opportunity to compete in on site competitions for suitable candidates. Working hours will include a weekend day and some evening cover. Accommodation in a shared house available Closing Date: 8 June 2025 We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received. College Benefits Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (a defined benefit pension scheme) Death Benefit grant of 3 x salary if in the pension scheme Free on-site parking Occupational Sick Pay Scheme Occupational Maternity Pay Scheme Holiday entitlement of 22 days (rising to 25 days after 5 years’ service) plus Public and Bank Holidays along with college closure days at Xmas. (pro-rated for part-time staff) Access to an employee assistance scheme Facility to purchase our produce including: plants, fruit & vegetables, fish and game. Access to discounted hair treatments at the Andover campus Ability to access a range of CPD events and support with undertaking professional qualifications and training towards BHS assessments Various food outlets and eateries offering good value food and drink at competitive prices There is a nursery on the on site operated by a commercial provider Safeguarding Statement The College is committed to safeguarding and promotes the welfare of all learners and expects all staff to share this commitment. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check and to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the UK.

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Live out Somerset, UK

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Live in Cambridgeshire, UK

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JL133383 Oxfordshire – Live in Dressage Competition Groom/Rider (optional) – part of a team

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Live in Oxfordshire, UK

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JL132607 Hampshire – Full Time, Mature, Live in Stud Hand Required For Thoroughbred Stud

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Live in Hampshire, UK

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JL132800 Essex – Competition/Show Groom Opportunity- Show Jumping.

Caroline Carter Recruitment Ltd

Live in Live out Essex, UK

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Live out Lanarkshire

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Live in Hampshire, UK

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Live in Live out Wales, UK

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Live in Wales, UK

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Live in Switzerland

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Live in Berkshire, UK

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Live in Live out Wiltshire, UK

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Live in Spain

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JL132529 Surrey – Groom/Rider (Seasonal)

UK Mission Enterprise LTD

Live in Live out Surrey, UK

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JL132531 Surrey – Groom/Rider (Permanent)

UK Mission Enterprise LTD

Live in Live out Surrey, UK

JL132482 Northamptonshire, Bozeat – Live Out Experienced Yard Manager Required

MA Equestrian Riding School & Livery Yard

Live out Northamptonshire, UK

We’re looking for a knowledgeable and motivated Yard Manager to take the lead on our day-to-day yard operations and support our horses, riders, and team. This is a hands-on, leadership role for someone who loves being in the thick of it, is confident managing others, and has a true passion for horse welfare and stable management. As Yard Manager, your duties will include: Taking full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the yard Ensuring all horses are healthy, well looked after, and prepared for daily lessons Overseeing the grooming, feeding, turnout, and medical care routines Managing feed and bedding supplies, as well as record-keeping for horse health and farrier/vet schedules Leading, mentoring and organising junior staff, volunteers and apprentices Upholding high standards of cleanliness, safety and yard presentation Communicating with riding instructors to ensure smooth operation of lessons and horse allocation We’re after someone who is: Experienced in yard and horse management (minimum 2–3 years in a similar role) Knowledgeable and confident in handling a variety of horses A calm and kind leader with great people skills Reliable, self-motivated, and organised Committed to the highest standards of equine care Comfortable working in a busy yard environment and able to adapt to the day’s challenges Ideally BHS qualified (or equivalent experience) We believe in supporting our team and rewarding hard work. As part of your role at MA Equestrian, you’ll receive: Staff riding opportunities – keep up your riding with our wonderful horses Ongoing training and professional development A warm and welcoming team environment Possibility to stable your own horse Beautiful countryside setting Real opportunities to shape the role and grow within the business Full-time position with a flexible rota, including weekends and some evenings

JL102498 Surrey, nr Chertsey – Live in/ live out Grooms required for VIP private estate

UK Mission Enterprise LTD

Live in Live out Surrey, UK

Job Description Daily stable duties – grooming, feeding and handling to a high standard of turnout Lead horses to their stables, and to the field, must be confident in dealing with fit excitable horses Check horses for common injuries, ailments and infections Mucking out to ensure the stables are clean and maintained Daily exercising of the horses Confident handling of stallions on the yard as well as riding Assisting the children with riding activities Minimum Requirements BHS Level 1 Accommodation details Live in accommodation available or live out

JL130199 Lincolnshire – Home/Show Groom & Exercise Rider (optional). Family Show Jumping Yard. International Rider.

Caroline Carter Recruitment Ltd

Live in Live out Lincolnshire, UK

*Salary negotiable from £27,936.48 – £32k pa *Accommodation available on site(ideally sized for one persom but partner considered). *Own horse possible *Scope for some free time during the day Small, friendly showjumping yard with great facilities looking for someone to take charge and care for five horses (ranging from 5 years to 14 14yrs). All usual yard duties, tacking up, washing off, tack cleaning, clipping, and getting horses show ready. Travel to shows home and abroad, so must be flexible to this with a current, valid passport. Exercise riding/hacking available or non-rider ok. For more details and/or to apply, please call Caroline and The Grooms List team on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruiment.com

JL127942 Cambridgeshire – Permanent,experienced Rider/Groom for an established and traditional Hunting yard.

Caroline Carter Recruitment Ltd

Live in Live out Cambridgeshire, UK

*£27,936.48 gross per annum (pay own electricity) *5.5 days a week/40 hrs *warm, cosy 1-bed apartment *Dog welcomed *Lots of riding on big, fit hunters *Out of season much less work to do with the horses so hours shorter/easier. Lovely position available on a well-established, traditional family hunt yard within a beautiful estate. Ideally, you will be able to turnout well and be able to clip, plait (sew plaits) etc Fun, professional team renowned for being great at what they do. You will work hard but be treated well and have a very rewarding job! The position involves riding and grooming duties to a good standard. Lots of riding is available with hunting, you must be a strong, confident, good jockey and understand hunting etiquette. You will be required to educate and introduce new and younger horses out in the field. Horses ranging from 15.2-18.2HH who are fit and well with young hunters in the mix! Great facilities/menage/lunge pen/500 acres/excellent hacking. The setting is beautiful within the grounds of a grand country house not far from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. Call Caroline & the Team on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com

Tips for Grooms Working with Horses at Christmas

1. Have an early pretend Christmas

2. Organise a staff Christmas brunch

3. Skype/Facetime calls with family

4. Go for a Christmas jolly

5. Treat yourself to something special

6. Watch all your own favourite cheesy Christmas movies

7. Get crafty with gifts for the horses at Christmas

8. Make your day as easy as possible

9. Read ‘Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm’

10. Stage a Christmas Day ‘photoshoot’

Whatever you’re up to this year – Merry Christmas!

Stuck for last minute Christmas gift ideas?

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