Equine Groom Apprentice for Furzedown Holistic Animal Rehabilitation & Education Ltd

Location: WEYMOUTH (DT4 9DN)
Closing date: Saturday 24 October 2026 at 11:59pm
Posted on: 11 February 2026

Summary

This is a unique opportunity to work on a yard with masses of variety, alongside all the normal yard duties there are opportunities to help run the in house shows, work in hand with the therapy ponies, work in the tack shop, help with the promotion of the centre on social media and look after a whole host of other animals.

Wage:

• £6,656 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
• National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
  Minimum wage rates

Training:

• Training course: Equine groom (level 2)
• Hours: 16 per week in a split shift format to include some weekend work, exact hours to be discussed with employer.

Start date: Monday 26 October 2026
Duration: 1 year 3 months
Positions available: 2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• All normal yard duties: Mucking out/ keeping yard tidy, Feeding, Filling haynets / water buckets, Looking after the other animals there, Helping Liveries with their horses, Helping run the in house shows, Exercising the therapy ponies on the ground

Where you'll work

FURZEDOWN FARM, LYNCH LANE, WEYMOUTH, DT4 9DN

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider: HADDON TRAINING LIMITED

Training course: Equine groom (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels

What you'll learn

• 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)