horse grooming

jeffmurtagh

hello can anyone tell me the right path to go down to be a horse groom being told to go do the bhs stages 123

Ave Sodalis

BHS is definitely a great start. Have you much experience otherwise? If not, maybe volunteer a day or two in the local rising school or a small yard. Most big yards have working student programmes too but they expect at least some knowledge of basic horsemanship.


Have you done much research into it? Grooming is tough. You meet a lot of dodgy yard owners who have no qualms with running you into the ground. There are some good employers but the whole industry is fraught with poor working conditions for little to no pay. Some employers want slave labour and disposable staff, so be prepared for that. In general, thoroughbred staff get treated better than sport horse staff.

However, if you get a good employer, it would be a hard but rewarding job! The more experience you can get, the better.

jeffmurtagh

good experience have level 4 horsemanship work in a yard everyday would love to be a stud groom in a stud farm or a racing groom but i thnk i need alot more diplomas in equine to work in a stud farm

Ave Sodalis

I think your BHS exams are useful to have anyway, just to say you have. People prefer experience though.

Would you consider the certificate or diploma in Equine Science in UL? Or even the full degree?

TheFarrier

I think your best bet is to contact racing yards in your area.
A lot of yards are over run with lads wanting to ride out, but I would have to imagine most would consider taking on a yard hand. You might start just mucking out stables and the like but if you know your way around horses (your horsemanship qualification tells me you should) and work hard you'll get where you want to go.

There's no qualification going to grant you a shortcut to the good jobs. experience and work ethic are the important thing.

Stud work would require a bit more specialised knowledge but if that's where your interest lies then a few years in a racing yard should give you enough experience to get into a stud yard.

That's my 2 cents for what it's worth anyway.


Best of luck whatever way you decide to go

jeffmurtagh

Thanks all I thnk I’m gunna get my bhs stage 123 decided then would like have papers behind me and that thanks for all your reply’s

Whistlejacket

Definitely check out http://www.workinracing.ie/ from Horse Racing Ireland and get in touch with them.

There are lots of opportunities to get trained on the job in racing yards and stud farms, as well as pursuing a training course or qualification. They will help you look at all the options and figure out what you think will suit you the best.

TheFarrier

jeffmurtagh wrote: »

Thanks all I thnk I’m gunna get my bhs stage 123 decided then would like have papers behind me and that thanks for all your reply’s

Far as I’m aware the bhs stages are geared more towards teaching/instructing.

I could be wrong on that.

Imo your horsemanship certificate would be more relevant towards the career path you have outlined.
Just something to bear in mind.

Ave Sodalis

TheFarrier wrote: »

Far as I’m aware the bhs stages are geared more towards teaching/instructing.

I could be wrong on that.

Imo your horsemanship certificate would be more relevant towards the career path you have outlined.
Just something to bear in mind.

You can do instructing though them but the stages are horse care and riding. Instructing is separate exams, but you need your stages to get it, which probably is why a few people think they're just for instructing.

Dark Phoenix

Look up BHS Pathways you can do complete horsemanship or specialise in grooming. The EBT course BAS 60 covers the BHS exams up to complete pathway in horsemanship3 so is worth looking into, the next intake is in august / september

convert

Speaking as someone who has worked in the racing industry, I can confirm that not everyone requires you to have the BHS qualifications. For a lot of people your experience and attitude (and references) is very important.

It can be tough and require some intense work, especially if it's a big yard with numerous lots going out on the gallops daily. Then there's the exercise that horses not going on the gallops will need, such as swimming or being put on the walker. Some places will require people to sit and watch the horses on the walker if it's not in easy vision of the yard, so be aware of that.

Then with the racing you can have late evenings if going to the races, so don't forget about that.

As The Farrier said, a lot of yards are inundated with people wanting to ride out, and get their license and rides in ptps or on the racecourse, so having someone contact them who mainly wants to work as a groom can get a good reaction.

Contact a few yards close to you and have a chat with them and see 1) if they have anything available, and 2) if not, maybe you could do a few days 'work experience' to get a feel for it and see if it's something you'd be happy with. Obviously, that's not great for the long term, but maybe a day or two could give you some insight.