Start your equine career today

This apprenticeship has been designed for an Equine Groom career path. This is an ideal course for those who wish to begin to develop within the industry but have limited experience working with horses within an equine business. The apprenticeship can be tailored to different specialisms including riding, yard-based (non-riding), breeding, and racing. It will give a solid foundation in horse care and a strong start to a career working with horses.

“An apprenticeship enables you to use your initiative and learn as you work.  It has taught me so much more than college would have.”

Lydia Scholey; Equine Groom Apprentice


This apprenticeship will:

  • Ensure apprentices are trained to become a fully competent members of staff.
  • Provide the skills and knowledge needed to be consistent in their work.
  • Increase confidence in working with horses, in a team and in the workplace.
  • Allow apprentices to work at the commercial speed equine employers expect.
  • The role of an equine groom

    The role is wide-ranging and covers;

    • Yard and field routines and duties.
    • Horse handling, care and appearance.
    • Saddlery and equipment.
    • Preparing horses for travel.
    • Horse anatomy, physiology and welfare.
    • Safe working practices.
    • Non-ridden exercise.

    All apprentices will be entering professional employment; receiving a contract of employment and being paid in line with the Apprentice National Minimum Wage and current Government guidance. Working in the equine industry requires dedication and commitment, as well as, learning and adhering to safe working practices, being flexible and prepared to work in all weather conditions.

  • Entry Requirements
    • To apply for this apprenticeship you will need to be of school leaver age.
    • If you hold a Level 2 in horse care or BHS stage 2+ you will need to apply for the Level 3 Equine Groom.
    • If you haven’t already received a GCSE grade 2 to 9, or a Level 1 or Level 2 Functional Skills qualification in English and Maths; you will develop English and Maths Functional Skills up to a Level 1 standard; then upskill to Level 2 if provider deems appropriate.

    If you are still in full-time education; school, college, university, on another apprenticeship, or just unsure of your suitability just contact our friendly team to discuss.

  • Teaching, learning and assessment

    Throughout your journey, you will learn the core apprenticeship components, taking part in monthly sessions with your Trainer-Coach, accessing different learning systems and spending time learning and enhancing skills, knowledge and behaviours whilst at work. If required you will also be supported to develop your maths and English, in preparation for your functional skills qualifications. You will then be assessed by a final end point assessment (EPA) for your overall apprenticeship.

    Every four months you will practice your tests and assessments in preparation for EPA. Your EPA consists of a knowledge test, observation at work and a professional discussion. These are all designed to prove competence in the workplace and you are fully supported in your preparation for this.

    All our Trainer-Coaches are experts in the equine industry and will be on hand to support you throughout your apprenticeship. They will check your knowledge and understanding through a variety of methods including assignments, workbooks, tailored resources, and observations before agreeing with you and your employer that you are ready to take your final endpoint assessment.

  • Next steps

    The equine industry is vast. There will be scope to move up the ladder, or across the disciplines, and Haddon Training can support each individual apprentice’s goals. We have a variety of progression routes available for our apprentices; this could be progressing onto our Senior Equine Groom apprenticeship, or perhaps developing into a Learning Mentor role. Each assigned Trainer-Coach will be there to help their apprentice decide on the next step that is right for them

    Check out our learner page for further information and details on apprenticeships.

If you have a passion for horses, apply today or view our current vacancies here

Please click the tabs to view the varying apprenticeship pathways open to Haddon Training apprentices

Take this route if you wish to ride horses as part of your apprenticeship. This can be across any discipline.

By the end of your apprenticeship, you should be able to do things such as: adopt a correct balanced riding position in walk, trot & canter, rider over poles/short course of jumps, ride out of the school/arena on varied terrain and following the highway code.

The non-riding pathway is for those who want to gain horse care knowledge but at the same time learn how to assist with the organisation of the yard.

By the end of your apprenticeship, you should be able competent in such things as Yard systems and organisation, customer engagement and recognising their needs, using IT skills to support the business.

You can complete this pathway with a competition horse or thoroughbred horse stud.

By the end of your apprenticeship, you should have a sound knowledge and understanding of such things as equine reproduction, how to care for broodmares and/or foals, how to work safely in the environment and preparing equines for sales/shows.

This route is for those with an interest in providing care for racehorses both at home and at the races, whilst gaining a greater understanding of the racing industry. Within this pathway, there are two further options of riding and non-riding.

More information can be found on links Racing England or Racehorse Care Wales.

 

  • Pathways

    Please click the tabs to view the varying apprenticeship pathways open to Haddon Training apprentices

  • Riding

    Take this route if you wish to ride horses as part of your apprenticeship. This can be across any discipline.

    By the end of your apprenticeship, you should be able to do things such as: adopt a correct balanced riding position in walk, trot & canter, rider over poles/short course of jumps, ride out of the school/arena on varied terrain and following the highway code.

  • Non-riding

    The non-riding pathway is for those who want to gain horse care knowledge but at the same time learn how to assist with the organisation of the yard.

    By the end of your apprenticeship, you should be able competent in such things as Yard systems and organisation, customer engagement and recognising their needs, using IT skills to support the business.

  • Breeding

    You can complete this pathway with a competition horse or thoroughbred horse stud.

    By the end of your apprenticeship, you should have a sound knowledge and understanding of such things as equine reproduction, how to care for broodmares and/or foals, how to work safely in the environment and preparing equines for sales/shows.

  • Racing

    This route is for those with an interest in providing care for racehorses both at home and at the races, whilst gaining a greater understanding of the racing industry. Within this pathway, there are two further options of riding and non-riding.

    More information can be found on links Racing England or Racehorse Care Wales.