Apprenticeship

Equine groom (level 2)

There are 31 training providers who offer this course. Check if a training provider can deliver this training in the learner's work location.

Information about Equine groom (level 2)

Working with and caring for horses.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Current health, safety and security requirements, policies and procedures including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Rules and Codes of Practice and ethics relevant to the workplace. (core).
  • Routine yard and field duties and horse husbandry and the principles of stabling and grassland care. (core)
  • Policies and procedures for new horse(s) arriving on the yard including measures to prevent and control spread of disease. (core)
  • Potential impact of equine activities on the environment and promoting sustainable working practices to minimise waste. (core)
  • Equine terminology used to describe horses including sex, height, type, colours and markings. (core)
  • The bones of the lower limb, points of the horse and the position of the major internal organs. (core)
  • The core principles of horse welfare (including health) and care of the sick horse, including the basics of current legal welfare requirements. (core)
  • The importance of routine health care and record keeping including veterinary reports, passports, vaccinations, worming, farriery and dentistry. (core)
  • Processes to check the horses’ welfare before and after exercise or travel (core)
  • The horses’ natural instincts, mental abilities and the principles of how horses behave and learn; the different methods of safe handling in various situations. (core)
  • The core principles of horse care including feeding, watering, grooming and foot care. (core)
  • The basics of trimming and plaiting. (core)
  • Common workplace saddlery, equipment and clothing used and how to maintain it. (core)
  • Awareness of discipline-specific saddlery and equipment. (core)
  • Current workplace principles and legal requirements relating to commercial transport of horses. (core)
  • A variety of non-ridden exercise procedures used in different workplaces. (core)
  • Know how to report any concerns, incidents and abnormalities regarding the welfare of a horse or activities within the organisation. (core).
  • School rules and regulations focusing on those relevant to flat riding. (flat)
  • Riding terminology including paces, aids and school figures. (flat)
  • The fundamental importance of adopting a correct position on the flat. (flat)
  • Different riding styles appropriate for different flat riding disciplines and situations. (flat)
  • The Highway and Country Code and safe protocol for riding on the road and public places. (flat)
  • How to ride in the open with consideration for weather, hazards and varied terrain. (flat)
  • The importance of riding according to instruction. (flat)
  • Customer needs and how this can influence customer care. (flat)
  • The use of pole-work to include distances of trot poles and basic principles of jumping. (jump)
  • The fundamental importance of adopting a correct jumping riding position. (jump)
  • Understand the techniques of jumping a short course of show jumping fences. (jump)
  • Riding terminology including paces, aids and school figures. (jump)
  • School rules and regulations focusing on those relevant to jump riding. (jump)
  • Different jumping riding styles appropriate to different disciplines and situations. (jump)
  • The Highway and Country Code and safe protocol for riding on the road and public places. (jump)
  • How to ride in the open with consideration for weather, hazards and varied terrain. (jump)
  • The importance of riding according to instruction. (jump)
  • The industry protocol for taking a horse racing and how to lead up a Thoroughbred racehorse at the races, including pre and post race activities. (racing exercise)
  • The Thoroughbred racehorse as a high performance equine athlete and the specific exercise regimes used in the racing industry to prepare and train horses to race. (racing exercise)
  • The specific routines for working in a racing yard. (racing exercise)
  • Technical racing terms and vocabulary, the racing industry structure and key organisations. (racing exercise)
  • The regulatory requirements for adhering to industry policy and practice, including security procedures in the yard, at the races and at public sales venues. (racing exercise)
  • Industry protocol for registration and vaccination of race horses. (racing exercise)
  • The Thoroughbred racehorse as a high performance equine athlete and the specific exercise regimes used in the racing industry to prepare and train horses to race. (racing yard)
  • The specific routines for working in a racing yard. (racing yard)
  • The regulatory requirements for adhering to industry policy and practice, including security procedures in the yard, at the races and at public sales venues. (racing yard)
  • Technical racing terms and vocabulary, the racing industry structure and key organisations. (racing yard)
  • Know what is involved in the organisation and completion of routine maintenance tasks within the workplace (non-riding)
  • The importance of stock rotation and maintenance and storage of supplies and equipment (non-riding)
  • Appropriate office duties including answering the telephone, processing information and basic IT systems and skills used in the workplace. (non-riding)
  • The benefits and practice of lungeing and the equipment used. (non-riding)
  • School rules and regulations focusing on those relevant to non-riding duties. (non-riding)
  • An awareness of customer needs and how this can influence customer care. (non-riding)
  • Principles of equine reproduction to include the initial mating decisions, the importance of teasing, monitoring pregnancy and be present at or assist with foaling and during weaning. (breeding)
  • Specific principles of care and welfare including health related to maintaining breeding equines and offspring. (breeding)
  • The main diseases relating to breeding equines and the relevant industry Codes of Practice. (breeding)
  • Problems that may happen with covering stallions, foaling mares and youngstock throughout their early years. (breeding)
  • Methods, equipment and technology currently used to breed and register equines. (breeding)
  • The basics of preparing equines for commercial or private sale. (breeding)
  • All parts of a single set of harness. (driving)
  • The correct single harness to use with two and four wheeled vehicles with independent shafts. (driving)
  • Correct fit of single harness to two and four wheeled vehicles. The procedures for harnessing up and putting to with an assistant and safe areas to do so. (driving)
  • The basic principles of cleaning leather and composite leather harness. (driving)
  • Techniques for the cleaning of wooden and metal vehicles, safe storage of two and four wheeled vehicles. (driving)
  • The core principles of long reining for exercise and the equipment used. (driving)
  • Guidelines for driving a horse and carriage on the public highway. (driving)
  • The Highway and Country Code and safe protocol for riding on the road and public places. (driving)
  • The benefits and practice of lungeing and the equipment used. (driving)
  • Principles of the use of the regulatory driving aid as a communication tool. (driving)

  Skills

  • Work safely and efficiently at all times and comply with current health, safety and security policies and procedures (including PPE). (core)
  • Carry out all typical yard and field routine duties to include mucking out, skipping out, tidying and cleaning the yard, watering and feeding. (core)
  • Assess suitability of stabling and grassland environments for horses including checking for hazards etc. (core)
  • Assist with the arrival of a new horse to the yard, following current yard procedures and measures to prevent and control the spread of disease. (core)
  • Recognise, identify and describe horses including sex, height, type, colours and markings. (core)
  • Identify anatomy of the horse to include the bones of the lower limb, points of the horse and the position of the major internal organs. (core)
  • Recognise signs of good and poor welfare (including ill health) and check for injuries. (core)
  • Report relevant information and assist with medical treatment and other industry specialists, including Senior Groom, Dentist, Farrier, Veterinary Surgeon. (core)
  • Ensure the horses’ welfare before and after exercise or travel. (core)
  • Handle a variety of horses in the workplace to include tying up, leading, trotting up, turning out and catching in. (core)
  • Recognise different types of feed and hay and check their quality. (core)
  • Groom a horse including checking feet and shoes. (core)
  • Demonstrate trimming and plaiting. (core)
  • Fit a variety of common saddlery, equipment and horse clothing. (core)
  • Remove, clean and store common saddlery and equipment. (core)
  • Check the safe and effective working condition of all saddlery, equipment and clothing. (core)
  • Prepare horse(s) for travel using appropriate clothing and equipment. (core)
  • Assist with loading and unloading before and after travel. (core)
  • Prepare for and provide a variety of appropriate non-ridden exercise including fitting and use of lungeing equipment. (core)
  • Communicate effectively with colleagues, supervisors, visitors and clients whilst showing good interpersonal skills. (core)
  • Ride appropriately to follow school rules and regulations in relation to flat groom duties. (flat)
  • Adopt an appropriate basic riding position on the flat. (flat)
  • Ride an experienced schooled horse, according to instruction, independently or as part of a group, in an enclosed area. (flat)
  • Ride in a balanced secure position, showing control at walk, trot and canter, working with and without stirrups whilst demonstrating movements (for example, circles, turns etc.) (flat)
  • Ride on the road or in public places according to laid down procedures, Highway and Country Codes. (flat)
  • Open and close a gate whilst mounted. (flat)
  • Ride a quiet horse whilst leading another quiet horse or pony. (flat)
  • Walk and trot over poles positioned on the ground in a steady and consistent rhythm. (flat)
  • Ride in the open, according to instruction, with control, security and balance over varied terrain, negotiating everyday obstacles/ hazards. (flat)
  • Adopt an appropriate basic riding position when jumping. (jump)
  • Ride in a balanced, secure forward seat over a short course of fences, with control, security and balance. (jump)
  • Ride a quiet horse whilst leading another quiet horse or pony. (jump)
  • Ride in the open, according to instruction, with control, security and balance over varied terrain, negotiating everyday obstacles/ hazards. (jump)
  • Open and close a gate whilst mounted. (jump)
  • Ride on the road or in public places according to laid down procedures, Highway and Country Codes. (jump)
  • Walk and trot over poles positioned on the ground in a steady and consistent rhythm. (jump)
  • Ride an experienced schooled horse, according to instruction, independently or as part of a group, in an enclosed area. (jump)
  • Ride appropriately to follow school rules and regulations in relation to jump riding. (jump)
  • Provide pre and post race care including compliance with industry regulations. (racing exercise)
  • Handle Thoroughbred racehorses in and out of full work. (racing exercise)
  • Prepare and lead up a Thoroughbred racehorse at the races in accordance with industry practice and the Rules of Racing. (racing exercise)
  • Fit a variety of specialist racing equipment and tack. (racing exercise)
  • Ride appropriately to follow agreed industry protocols and regulations in relation to a racing exercise groom duties. (racing exercise)
  • Provide ridden exercise regimes to Thoroughbred racehorses according to instructions, safely and in control, with a good, secure and balanced position, in line with yard and industry practice. (racing exercise)
  • Carry out the specific routines required in a racing yard. (racing exercise)
  • Implement technique and methods to maintain industry weight and fitness requirements for riding racehorses in training. (racing exercise)
  • Prepare and lead up a Thoroughbred racehorse at the races in accordance with industry practice and the Rules of Racing including pre and post race activities. (racing yard)
  • Provide non-ridden exercise regimes to Thoroughbred racehorses safely and according to instruction. (racing yard)
  • Assist and support Racing Grooms and provide non-ridden exercise regimes. (racing yard)
  • Fit a variety of specialist racing equipment and tack. (racing yard)
  • Handle Thoroughbred racehorses in and out of full training. (racing yard)
  • Assist with storage of supplies and stock rotation. (non-riding)
  • Contribute to the organisation and routine maintenance tasks within the workplace. (non-riding)
  • Engage with customers and identify their needs. (non-riding)
  • Assist with appropriate office duties including answering the telephone, processing information and use workplace IT systems. (non-riding)
  • Contribute to yard-based records including passports, vaccinations, worming, farriery, dentistry etc. (non-riding)
  • Prepare for and lunge a horse for exercise in an enclosed area according to instruction. (non-riding)
  • Contribute to yard-based industry record keeping, operate equipment, machinery and technology appropriately to assist with the effective organisation and maintenance of the commercial business premises. (non-riding)
  • Handling equines used for breeding purposes including leading a mare through the stocks. (breeding)
  • Demonstrate catching a mare and foal or young stock from grass/ stable with due considerations for health and safety. (breeding)
  • Restraining a foal during mare inspection or cover. (breeding)
  • Assist with the preparation and show off equines of varying ages, as directed, for commercial and or private sale or grading including standing a horse up correctly for inspection as per the requirements of the breed, (breeding)
  • Show a horse correctly in hand at walk and trot. (breeding)
  • Act as a groom and or back-stepper in exercising, show, and (or) trials. (driving)
  • Harness up and put to with an assistant a single turnout in both a two and four wheeled vehicle. (driving)
  • Exercise horses/ponies in a non-driving environment, to be able to lunge or long rein in an enclosed area, in a circle for exercise purposes. (driving)
  • Drive a quiet pleasure single turnout in an enclosed area demonstrating safe rein handling, turns to the left and right, in the walk and trot. To be able to halt, mount and dismount in a safe manner. (driving)
  • Demonstrate safe use of the mandatory driving aid as a communication tool. (driving)
  • Take a horse out of a vehicle with assistance, and unharness horse in a safe manner. (driving)
  • Dismantle, clean and put back together all the parts of a leather or composite harness. (driving)
  • Clean a wooden and (or) metal vehicle (two and four-wheeled) and store safely. (driving)

  Behaviours

  • Maintain safe working practices, which must be adhered to at all times with constant situational awareness and adaptability to ensure safety of the horse, themselves and others. (core)
  • Have a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn. Be respectful, punctual, reliable, trustworthy and diligent and prepared to work irregular hours and in all weathers. Take a pride in their work, showing commitment and loyalty, whilst conducting themselves in a professional manner. (core)
  • Have responsibility for themselves, others and the equines in their care, showing respect, empathy, patience and tolerance in all situations. Work with methods that reduce any risk of injury to horses, themselves or others. (core)
  • Have the ability to work both individually and as part of a diverse team as required, understanding their role and changing priorities when the situation dictates. (core)
  • Respect the need for confidentiality and adhere to data protection policies, including using social media responsibly. (core)
  • Have the ability to work efficiently to meet time deadlines and organisational requirements. (core)
• Training category (sector): Agriculture, environmental and animal care
• Training level: 2; Equal to GCSE
• Course duration: 12 months
• Maximum funding: £5,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.

View more information about Equine groom (level 2) from Skills England.