Ponds Farm Livery/ Event Yard - Level 3 Senior Groom Apprentice

Location: Surrey (GU5 9JL)
Employer: Ponds Equestrian
Closing date: Saturday 24 October 2026 at 11:59pm

Summary

Ponds Equestrian, run by Fiona Kashel, an international event rider, is looking for an experienced candidate with good 'horse sense' to join their team on a large 50 box livery yard in Surrey.

Wage: £16,640 for the first year, which could increase based on age.

Hours: 40+ hours per week over 5 days, including 1 weekend day.

Start date: Monday 26 October 2026
Duration: 1 year 6 months
Positions available: 1

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

• Mucking out, sweeping yard
• Turning out and bringing in
• Feeding
• Filling hay nets and water buckets
• Putting horses on and off the horse walker
• Tacking up and untacking
• Supporting the running and management of the yard
• Dealing with clients
• Potential of riding for the right candidate

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

• Senior equine groom (level 3)

What you'll learn

• Promote, monitor, and maintain safe working practices and comply with health, safety, and security policies.
• Contribute to risk assessments.
• Organise, supervise, and carry out yard and field duties, day to day rotas, and routines.
• Maintain and organise yard-based records.
• Monitor, maintain, and assess quality of stocks and supplies.
• Evaluate, prepare, and maintain stabling and grassland for horses.
• Manage horses stabled and at grass.
• Implement measures to prevent and control the spread of disease.
• Coordinate waste minimisation, environmental, and sustainable working practices.
• Supervise admission of a new horse and carry out an initial assessment, including record keeping and health status.
• Assess and evaluate a horse including conformation, action, condition, and fitness.
• Assess welfare, recognise, and treat common minor ailments and injuries.
• Administer first aid and treatments under veterinary advice.
• Identify and use appropriate methods to handle or restrain a horse.
• Prepare a range of horses for different types of work or competition.
• Recognise and discuss hoof balance.
• Plan and implement diets and feeding regimes.
• Coordinate the preparation for travelling horses.
• Prepare and lunge a horse for exercise.
• Use correct terminology, paperwork, pedigree knowledge, and hygiene practices within regular stud work.
• Assist with recording breeding information.
• Prepare a foaling environment and assist during normal foaling.
• Manage, monitor, and maintain the health and well-being of breeding and youngstock.
• Present a male horse correctly for inspection.
• Prepare a turnout for exercise and competition.
• Drive a single turnout.
• School the turnout in the basic correct way of going.
• Exercise horses/ponies in a non-driving environment.
• Prepare comprehensive equipment lists for shows and events.
• Discuss and initiate methods of loading and transportation of equipment.
• Design, coordinate, and review a fittening and feeding programme for competition turnout.
• Handle Thoroughbred racehorses.
• Prepare horses for work and competition.
• Ride horses of varying levels of fitness and training.
• Design, implement, and review work and fitness programmes.