This is not the latest approved version of this apprenticeship. View the latest version
This apprenticeship is in revision
This revised version of the occupational standard and end-point assessment plan has been agreed and is available for information only pending approval of the funding band.
Proposal approved
Occupational standard approved
End-point assessment plan approved
Funding approved
This apprenticeship has options. This document is currently showing the following option:
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.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with
· Other grooms
· Senior grooms
· Managers
· Clients
· Suppliers
· Vets
· Farriers
· Equine dental technicians
· Members of the public
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the safety and welfare of the horses in their care. This will require significant commitment. They will use their theoretical knowledge and understanding, practical experience and empathy, to maintain the horse's 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.
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
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Duty 1 Carry out safe and sound working practices to daily duties whether in the yard, field or at competitions. |
K1 K3 K4 K7 K10 K11 K12 K16 K17 |
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Duty 2 Participate and contribute to yard and field daily routines, to meet the horses’ needs and in line with the employer's requirements. |
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Duty 3 Recognise and identify horses including basic anatomy using correct terminology. |
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Duty 4 Recognise, maintain and report on horse welfare |
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Duty 5 Handle horses correctly and safely, adapting to various situations and environment, according to instruction. |
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Duty 6 Fit and maintain saddlery and equipment for themselves and each horse, based on their individual needs and particular discipline. |
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Duty 7 Accompany horses whilst they are travelling off-site, including assisting with loading and unloading. |
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Duty 8 Carry out daily non-riding tasks within the yard and field as per employer instruction. |
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
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Duty 9 Ride a horse on the flat at home or at competitions, according to instruction and in different situations. |
K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 S21 S22 S23 S24 S25 S26 S27 S28 S29
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| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
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Duty 10 Ride a horse over jumps at home or at competitions, according to instruction and in different situations. |
K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 K31 K32 K33 K34 S30 S31 S32 S33 S34 S35 S36 S37 S38
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| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
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Duty 11 Carry out specific tasks within the racing industry structure in preparation and training of the horse to race. |
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Duty 12 Prepare and travel with horses to race meetings and look after post-race welfare. |
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Duty 13 Prepare and lead up racehorses at the races, according to industry practice and Rules of Racing. |
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| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
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Duty 14 Carry out specific routines for racehorses whilst in racing and rest periods, within the racing industry structure. |
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Duty 15 Provide non-riding exercise regimes to racehorses as directed. Effectively care for horses prior to and after strenuous work and racecourse performance. Assist in maintenance of commercial racing business premises. |
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| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
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Duty 16 Carry out appropriate office duties, regulatory record keeping, Health and Safety and customer care. |
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Duty 17 Order stock and equipment, arrange and record maintenance for the yard/organisation. |
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Duty 18 Carry out necessary non-ridden exercises and assist colleagues with their exercises including the preparation of lungeing activities. |
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| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
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Duty 19 Assist in and understand the specialist care and welfare of the horse in equine reproduction. |
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Duty 20 Use current methods, equipment and technology used to breed and register equines & their progeny, including preparation for their sale. |
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| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
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Duty 21 Correctly fit and harness a 2 and 4 wheeled vehicle. Assist in harnessing up and putting up to. Cleaning and storage of equipment. |
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Duty 22 Training of the driving horse by long-reining and driving a single turnout in an enclosed area and on a public highway. |
K57 K58 K59 K62 K63 K64 K65 K66
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K1: Current health, safety and security requirements, policies and procedures including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Rules and Codes of Practice and ethics relevant to the workplace. (core).
Back to Duty
K2: Routine yard and field duties and horse husbandry and the principles of stabling and grassland care. (core)
Back to Duty
K3: Policies and procedures for new horse(s) arriving on the yard including measures to prevent and control spread of disease. (core)
Back to Duty
K4: Potential impact of equine activities on the environment and promoting sustainable working practices to minimise waste. (core)
Back to Duty
K5: Equine terminology used to describe horses including sex, height, type, colours and markings. (core)
Back to Duty
K6: The bones of the lower limb, points of the horse and the position of the major internal organs. (core)
Back to Duty
K7: The core principles of horse welfare (including health) and care of the sick horse, including the basics of current legal welfare requirements. (core)
Back to Duty
K8: The importance of routine health care and record keeping including veterinary reports, passports, vaccinations, worming, farriery and dentistry. (core)
Back to Duty
K9: Processes to check the horses’ welfare before and after exercise or travel (core)
Back to Duty
K10: The horses’ natural instincts, mental abilities and the principles of how horses behave and learn; the different methods of safe handling in various situations. (core)
Back to Duty
K11: The core principles of horse care including feeding, watering, grooming and foot care. (core)
Back to Duty
K12: The basics of trimming and plaiting. (core)
Back to Duty
K13: Common workplace saddlery, equipment and clothing used and how to maintain it. (core)
Back to Duty
K14: Awareness of discipline-specific saddlery and equipment. (core)
Back to Duty
K15: Current workplace principles and legal requirements relating to commercial transport of horses. (core)
Back to Duty
K16: A variety of non-ridden exercise procedures used in different workplaces. (core)
Back to Duty
K17: Know how to report any concerns, incidents and abnormalities regarding the welfare of a horse or activities within the organisation. (core).
Back to Duty
K18: School rules and regulations focusing on those relevant to flat riding. (flat)
Back to Duty
K19: Riding terminology including paces, aids and school figures. (flat)
Back to Duty
K20: The fundamental importance of adopting a correct position on the flat. (flat)
Back to Duty
K21: Different riding styles appropriate for different flat riding disciplines and situations. (flat)
Back to Duty
K22: The Highway and Country Code and safe protocol for riding on the road and public places. (flat)
Back to Duty
K23: How to ride in the open with consideration for weather, hazards and varied terrain. (flat)
Back to Duty
K24: The importance of riding according to instruction. (flat)
Back to Duty
K25: Customer needs and how this can influence customer care. (flat)
Back to Duty
K26: The use of pole-work to include distances of trot poles and basic principles of jumping. (jump)
Back to Duty
K27: The fundamental importance of adopting a correct jumping riding position. (jump)
Back to Duty
K28: Understand the techniques of jumping a short course of show jumping fences. (jump)
Back to Duty
K29: Riding terminology including paces, aids and school figures. (jump)
Back to Duty
K30: School rules and regulations focusing on those relevant to jump riding. (jump)
Back to Duty
K31: Different jumping riding styles appropriate to different disciplines and situations. (jump)
Back to Duty
K32: The Highway and Country Code and safe protocol for riding on the road and public places. (jump)
Back to Duty
K33: How to ride in the open with consideration for weather, hazards and varied terrain. (jump)
Back to Duty
K34: The importance of riding according to instruction. (jump)
Back to Duty
K35: The industry protocol for taking a horse racing and how to lead up a Thoroughbred racehorse at the races, including pre and post race activities. (racing exercise)
Back to Duty
K36: The Thoroughbred racehorse as a high performance equine athlete and the specific exercise regimes used in the racing industry to prepare and train horses to race. (racing exercise)
Back to Duty
K37: The specific routines for working in a racing yard. (racing exercise)
Back to Duty
K38: Technical racing terms and vocabulary, the racing industry structure and key organisations. (racing exercise)
Back to Duty
K39: The regulatory requirements for adhering to industry policy and practice, including security procedures in the yard, at the races and at public sales venues. (racing exercise)
Back to Duty
K40: Industry protocol for registration and vaccination of race horses. (racing exercise)
Back to Duty
K41: The Thoroughbred racehorse as a high performance equine athlete and the specific exercise regimes used in the racing industry to prepare and train horses to race. (racing yard)
Back to Duty
K42: The specific routines for working in a racing yard. (racing yard)
Back to Duty
K43: The regulatory requirements for adhering to industry policy and practice, including security procedures in the yard, at the races and at public sales venues. (racing yard)
Back to Duty
K44: Technical racing terms and vocabulary, the racing industry structure and key organisations. (racing yard)
Back to Duty
K45: Know what is involved in the organisation and completion of routine maintenance tasks within the workplace (non-riding)
Back to Duty
K46: The importance of stock rotation and maintenance and storage of supplies and equipment (non-riding)
Back to Duty
K47: Appropriate office duties including answering the telephone, processing information and basic IT systems and skills used in the workplace. (non-riding)
Back to Duty
K48: The benefits and practice of lungeing and the equipment used. (non-riding)
Back to Duty
K49: School rules and regulations focusing on those relevant to non-riding duties. (non-riding)
Back to Duty
K50: An awareness of customer needs and how this can influence customer care. (non-riding)
Back to Duty
K51: Principles of equine reproduction to include the initial mating decisions, the importance of teasing, monitoring pregnancy and be present at or assist with foaling and during weaning. (breeding)
Back to Duty
K52: Specific principles of care and welfare including health related to maintaining breeding equines and offspring. (breeding)
Back to Duty
K53: The main diseases relating to breeding equines and the relevant industry Codes of Practice. (breeding)
Back to Duty
K54: Problems that may happen with covering stallions, foaling mares and youngstock throughout their early years. (breeding)
Back to Duty
K55: Methods, equipment and technology currently used to breed and register equines. (breeding)
Back to Duty
K56: The basics of preparing equines for commercial or private sale. (breeding)
Back to Duty
K57: All parts of a single set of harness. (driving)
Back to Duty
K58: The correct single harness to use with two and four wheeled vehicles with independent shafts. (driving)
Back to Duty
K59: Correct fit of single harness to two and four wheeled vehicles. The procedures for harnessing up and putting to with an assistant and safe areas to do so. (driving)
Back to Duty
K60: The basic principles of cleaning leather and composite leather harness. (driving)
Back to Duty
K61: Techniques for the cleaning of wooden and metal vehicles, safe storage of two and four wheeled vehicles. (driving)
Back to Duty
K62: The core principles of long reining for exercise and the equipment used. (driving)
Back to Duty
K63: Guidelines for driving a horse and carriage on the public highway. (driving)
Back to Duty
K64: The Highway and Country Code and safe protocol for riding on the road and public places. (driving)
Back to Duty
K65: The benefits and practice of lungeing and the equipment used. (driving)
Back to Duty
K66: Principles of the use of the regulatory driving aid as a communication tool. (driving)
Back to Duty
S1: Work safely and efficiently at all times and comply with current health, safety and security policies and procedures (including PPE). (core)
Back to Duty
S2: Carry out all typical yard and field routine duties to include mucking out, skipping out, tidying and cleaning the yard, watering and feeding. (core)
Back to Duty
S3: Assess suitability of stabling and grassland environments for horses including checking for hazards etc. (core)
Back to Duty
S4: 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)
Back to Duty
S5: Recognise, identify and describe horses including sex, height, type, colours and markings. (core)
Back to Duty
S6: 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)
Back to Duty
S7: Recognise signs of good and poor welfare (including ill health) and check for injuries. (core)
Back to Duty
S8: Report relevant information and assist with medical treatment and other industry specialists, including Senior Groom, Dentist, Farrier, Veterinary Surgeon. (core)
Back to Duty
S9: Ensure the horses’ welfare before and after exercise or travel. (core)
Back to Duty
S10: Handle a variety of horses in the workplace to include tying up, leading, trotting up, turning out and catching in. (core)
Back to Duty
S11: Recognise different types of feed and hay and check their quality. (core)
Back to Duty
S12: Groom a horse including checking feet and shoes. (core)
Back to Duty
S13: Demonstrate trimming and plaiting. (core)
Back to Duty
S14: Fit a variety of common saddlery, equipment and horse clothing. (core)
Back to Duty
S15: Remove, clean and store common saddlery and equipment. (core)
Back to Duty
S16: Check the safe and effective working condition of all saddlery, equipment and clothing. (core)
Back to Duty
S17: Prepare horse(s) for travel using appropriate clothing and equipment. (core)
Back to Duty
S18: Assist with loading and unloading before and after travel. (core)
Back to Duty
S19: Prepare for and provide a variety of appropriate non-ridden exercise including fitting and use of lungeing equipment. (core)
Back to Duty
S20: Communicate effectively with colleagues, supervisors, visitors and clients whilst showing good interpersonal skills. (core)
Back to Duty
S21: Ride appropriately to follow school rules and regulations in relation to flat groom duties. (flat)
Back to Duty
S22: Adopt an appropriate basic riding position on the flat. (flat)
Back to Duty
S23: Ride an experienced schooled horse, according to instruction, independently or as part of a group, in an enclosed area. (flat)
Back to Duty
S24: Ride in a balanced secure position, showing control at walk, trot and canter, working with and without stirrups whilst demonstrating movements (for example, circles, turns etc.) (flat)
Back to Duty
S25: Ride on the road or in public places according to laid down procedures, Highway and Country Codes. (flat)
Back to Duty
S26: Open and close a gate whilst mounted. (flat)
Back to Duty
S27: Ride a quiet horse whilst leading another quiet horse or pony. (flat)
Back to Duty
S28: Walk and trot over poles positioned on the ground in a steady and consistent rhythm. (flat)
Back to Duty
S29: Ride in the open, according to instruction, with control, security and balance over varied terrain, negotiating everyday obstacles/ hazards. (flat)
Back to Duty
S30: Adopt an appropriate basic riding position when jumping. (jump)
Back to Duty
S31: Ride in a balanced, secure forward seat over a short course of fences, with control, security and balance. (jump)
Back to Duty
S32: Ride a quiet horse whilst leading another quiet horse or pony. (jump)
Back to Duty
S33: Ride in the open, according to instruction, with control, security and balance over varied terrain, negotiating everyday obstacles/ hazards. (jump)
Back to Duty
S34: Open and close a gate whilst mounted. (jump)
Back to Duty
S35: Ride on the road or in public places according to laid down procedures, Highway and Country Codes. (jump)
Back to Duty
S36: Walk and trot over poles positioned on the ground in a steady and consistent rhythm. (jump)
Back to Duty
S37: Ride an experienced schooled horse, according to instruction, independently or as part of a group, in an enclosed area. (jump)
Back to Duty
S38: Ride appropriately to follow school rules and regulations in relation to jump riding. (jump)
Back to Duty
S39: Provide pre and post race care including compliance with industry regulations. (racing exercise)
Back to Duty
S40: Handle Thoroughbred racehorses in and out of full work. (racing exercise)
Back to Duty
S41: Prepare and lead up a Thoroughbred racehorse at the races in accordance with industry practice and the Rules of Racing. (racing exercise)
Back to Duty
S42: Fit a variety of specialist racing equipment and tack. (racing exercise)
Back to Duty
S43: Ride appropriately to follow agreed industry protocols and regulations in relation to a racing exercise groom duties. (racing exercise)
Back to Duty
S44: Provide 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. (racing exercise)
Back to Duty
S45: Carry out the specific routines required in a racing yard. (racing exercise)
Back to Duty
S46: Implement technique and methods to maintain industry weight and fitness requirements for riding racehorses in training. (racing exercise)
Back to Duty
S47: Prepare and lead up a Thoroughbred racehorse at the races in accordance with industry practice and the Rules of Racing including pre and post race activities. (racing yard)
Back to Duty
S48: Provide non-ridden exercise regimes to Thoroughbred racehorses safely and according to instruction. (racing yard)
Back to Duty
S49: Assist and support Racing Grooms and provide non-ridden exercise regimes. (racing yard)
Back to Duty
S50: Fit a variety of specialist racing equipment and tack. (racing yard)
Back to Duty
S51: Handle Thoroughbred racehorses in and out of full training. (racing yard)
Back to Duty
S52: Assist with storage of supplies and stock rotation. (non-riding)
Back to Duty
S53: Contribute to the organisation and routine maintenance tasks within the workplace. (non-riding)
Back to Duty
S54: Engage with customers and identify their needs. (non-riding)
Back to Duty
S55: Assist with appropriate office duties including answering the telephone, processing information and use workplace IT systems. (non-riding)
Back to Duty
S56: Contribute to yard-based records including passports, vaccinations, worming, farriery, dentistry etc. (non-riding)
Back to Duty
S57: Prepare for and lunge a horse for exercise in an enclosed area according to instruction. (non-riding)
Back to Duty
S58: Contribute to yard-based industry record keeping, operate equipment, machinery and technology appropriately to assist with the effective organisation and maintenance of the commercial business premises. (non-riding)
Back to Duty
S59: Handling equines used for breeding purposes including leading a mare through the stocks. (breeding)
Back to Duty
S60: Demonstrate catching a mare and foal or young stock from grass/ stable with due considerations for health and safety. (breeding)
Back to Duty
S61: Restraining a foal during mare inspection or cover. (breeding)
Back to Duty
S62: Assist with the preparation and show off equines of varying ages, as directed, for commercial and or private sale or grading including standing a horse up correctly for inspection as per the requirements of the breed, (breeding)
Back to Duty
S63: Show a horse correctly in hand at walk and trot. (breeding)
Back to Duty
S64: Act as a groom and or back-stepper in exercising, show, and (or) trials. (driving)
Back to Duty
S65: Harness up and put to with an assistant a single turnout in both a two and four wheeled vehicle. (driving)
Back to Duty
S66: Exercise horses/ponies in a non-driving environment, to be able to lunge or long rein in an enclosed area, in a circle for exercise purposes. (driving)
Back to Duty
S67: Drive a quiet pleasure single turnout in an enclosed area demonstrating safe rein handling, turns to the left and right, in the walk and trot. To be able to halt, mount and dismount in a safe manner. (driving)
Back to Duty
S68: Demonstrate safe use of the mandatory driving aid as a communication tool. (driving)
Back to Duty
S69: Take a horse out of a vehicle with assistance, and unharness horse in a safe manner. (driving)
Back to Duty
S70: Dismantle, clean and put back together all the parts of a leather or composite harness. (driving)
Back to Duty
S71: Clean a wooden and (or) metal vehicle (two and four-wheeled) and store safely. (driving)
Back to Duty
B1: Maintain safe working practices, which must be adhered to at all times with constant situational awareness and adaptability to ensure safety of the horse, themselves and others. (core)
Back to Duty
B2: Have a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn. Be respectful, punctual, reliable, trustworthy and diligent and prepared to work irregular hours and in all weathers. Take a pride in their work, showing commitment and loyalty, whilst conducting themselves in a professional manner. (core)
Back to Duty
B3: Have responsibility for themselves, others and the equines in their care, showing respect, empathy, patience and tolerance in all situations. Work with methods that reduce any risk of injury to horses, themselves or others. (core)
Back to Duty
B4: Have the ability to work both individually and as part of a diverse team as required, understanding their role and changing priorities when the situation dictates. (core)
Back to Duty
B5: Respect the need for confidentiality and adhere to data protection policies, including using social media responsibly. (core)
Back to Duty
B6: Have the ability to work efficiently to meet time deadlines and organisational requirements. (core)
Back to Duty
English and maths qualifications form a mandatory part of all apprenticeships and must be completed before an apprentice can pass through gateway. The requirements are detailed in the current version of the apprenticeship funding rules.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised version awaiting implementation | 13/04/2018 | Not set | |
| 1.0 | 13/04/2018 | Not set |
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