Equine groom
Level 2 · IntermediateAgriculture, environmental and animal care 1 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
An Equine Groom apprenticeship teaches you to care for horses in a professional environment, whether in a riding school, racing yard, stud, or private yard. You will learn to handle horses safely, maintain their health and welfare, and keep stables and equipment in good order. This standard can lead to more senior yard roles, specialist equine careers, or further qualifications in equine management.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Safe horse handling and leading techniques
Horse health, welfare, and signs of illness or injury
Feeding, watering, and nutritional requirements of horses
Stable management and bedding routines
Grooming, clipping, and coat care
Basic first aid and when to call a vet or farrier
Safe use and maintenance of yard equipment
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Muck out stables and maintain bedding daily
Feed, water, and monitor horses according to care plans
Groom horses and prepare them for exercise or competition
Handle horses safely on the yard and in the field
Tack up and untack horses correctly
Check horses for signs of injury or ill health
Clean and store tack and yard equipment
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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