Level 2 Equine Groom

About the course

This occupation is found in every sub-sector of the equine industry, such as Breeding, the Cavalry, Charities/Rescue Centres, Dressage, Driving, Endurance, Eventing, Hunting, Private yards/Livery Yards, Riding Schools, Showing, Show Jumping, Racing, Polo, Trekking, Rehabilitation centres, Competition yards and Western Riding. The broad purpose of the occupation is to handle a variety of horses in different working environments. They must adhere to safe working practices, be prepared to work in all weather conditions and often in out of hours situations. They will be required to have dedication, commitment and the physical resilience to cope with the rigours of the role. Living on site for part or all of the duration of the apprenticeship may be necessary. The occupation requires competent individuals who are committed to the safety and welfare of the horses in their care. They will use their theoretical knowledge and understanding, practical experience and empathy to maintain the horses� physical and psychological well-being within a safe working environment. This is a practical, hands on occupation where apprentices will work under supervision individually or as part of a diverse team. The Equine Groom is an integral part in the life of the horse, providing essential day-to-day care. They will be involved with feeding, grooming, cleaning equipment, handling, preparing, exercising the horses and carrying out routine yard duties. The Equine Groom may also be required to assist with the preparation of, transport to and care for horses at competitions, the races, sales, shows and other public appearances. Dependent on which sector of the industry the Equine Groom has chosen, appropriate people skills will be essential. An Equine Groom apprentice will need to decide in which sector of the industry they wish to progress and select one of the following occupational options (in liaison with their employer): - Flat riding groom - To safely provide practical day-to-day care as well as non-ridden exercise for horses, with empathy. Working under supervision, maintaining health and welfare, whilst becoming an integral part of the horses' life. To safely exercise experienced/ schooled horses in a variety of flat ridden situations, according to instruction. Jump riding groom - To safely provide practical day-to-day care and non-ridden exercise for horses, with empathy. Working under supervision, maintaining health and welfare, whilst becoming an integral part of the horses' life. To safely exercise experienced/ schooled horses in a variety of jumping situations, including over fences, according to instruction. Non-riding groom - To safely provide practical day-to-day care and non-ridden exercise for horses, with empathy. Working under supervision, maintaining health and welfare, whilst becoming an integral part of the horses' life. Also assisting with office duties and customer care. Racing exercise groom - Provides 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. Supports the work of the Racing Yard Based Grooms. Maintains industry weight requirements and be sufficiently fit to ride for up to six lots a day. Racing Yard based groom - Provides non-ridden exercise regimes to Thoroughbred racehorses safely and according to instruction. Supports the work of the Racing Exercise Grooms. Contribute to yard-based industry record keeping, operate equipment, machinery and technology appropriately to assist with the effective organisation and maintenance of the commercial racing business premises. Breeding groom - This role will allow the apprentice to develop a full understanding and gain experience of the many aspects of breeding, whether by natural covering, artificial insemination or embryo transfer. The apprentice will be part of a team, learning how to deal with the day-to-day care of brood mares, youngstock, stallions and foals, focusing on ensuring safety within the team and the horses in their care at all times. The apprentice is expected to show reliability and stamina, dedication and have empathy with the animal, working in all weathers and -at times- out of hours for foaling, covering, inseminating and in cases of emergency. Driving groom - This role will allow the apprentice to develop a full understanding and gain experience of the various aspects of preparing and driving carriages ,as well as the care of harness horses, how to care for the equipment, ensuring safety and appropriate use at all times, Whether driving for pleasure on the roads, competitively or commercially with one, two or four horses, clear communication between the driver and the back-step groom/s is crucial to everyone's safety. The apprentice is expected to show reliability and stamina, have empathy with the animal, working in all weather and -at times- out of hours, in cases of emergency.

Key Information

Location: Employers Premises

Course length: Two Years

Start date: August 2025

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Entry requirements & additional information

A potential Level 2 apprentice: Must be aged 16 or over & have officially left school. Must be employed (NOT self-employed) in the relevant occupational sector, working a minimum of 30 hours per week. An individual can only undertake an apprenticeship at the same or lower level than a qualification they already hold, if this allows the individual to acquire substantive new skills and the content of the training is materially different from any prior training or a previous apprenticeship. Must have the right to work in England & spend at least 50% of their working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship. Must be a citizen of a country with in the European Economic Area (EEA) or have the right of abode in the UK AND have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of learning. All Apprenticeships require Initial assessment, vocational skills scan, an interview and employment in the industry. Typically, an applicant will have attained a minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade E/2 or above including maths & English or a vocational qualification Level 1 plus GCSE grade E/2 or above in both maths & English. N.B. English & maths Functional Skills Level 1 will be accepted as an alternative to GCSEs. All potential apprentices will be asked to complete an online functional skills assessment regardless of previous qualifications. Apprentices who begin their apprenticeship training when aged 19+ will no longer be subject to the mandatory requirement to study towards and achieve English and Maths. However English and Maths will still be delivered as an embedded part of the apprenticeship. For apprentices aged 19+, the apprentice or their employer can still choose for the apprentice to study towards and achieve English and Maths qualification. 'The college advises learners to keep studying English and maths to enhance their career prospects and facilitate progression to higher-level qualifications'. The government will continue to fund those apprentices that wish to study towards an English and maths qualification. Exceptional entries will be considered for all Apprenticeships at the discretion of the college based on experience, successful interview and outcomes of Initial and Diagnostic assessments for English and Maths to establish current levels of ability.