Rewarding career with horses

Wondering how to become a horse groom?

Grooms are some of the most hard-working individuals in the horse industry. Pair long days with demanding riders and quirky horses, and you’ll soon wonder why you love horses (well, that’s because they are so beautiful and majestic).

Grooms work long days 6 days a week. They are responsible for all aspects of a horse’s care, from animal carcasses and feeding to vet visits and grooming. It’s not a job for the faint of heart, but it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Not to mention all the knowledge you will gain and all the horse connections you can make!

Horse groom: job description

There is no single description of what the groom does. It changes based on your location, experience, and even the jockey or barn you work in.

Generally, the groom begins his day with feeding, turning, and shoveling stalls.

Once the rider or riders are ready to start training, add the interference and disassembly. You will also be responsible for managing vet visits and farrier contract.

How many hours per week does the groom work?

If you’re lucky, you work 40 hours a week. Most grooms work close to 60, or more during the weekend or show season. In this profession, long days are the norm (think 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., plus a nightly check).

What are the physical requirements of being a horse groom?

Being a groom means being on your own two feet. You will need to be able to carry 50 pounds (sometimes more), drive several horses at a time, stack hay, drive a tractor, and walk several miles each day.

Education versus experience

Equine is one area where experience is always valued more than education.

Sure, there are horse management degrees and horse grooming courses, but nothing beats living it.

If I had to choose between someone with a college degree or someone with three years of coop experience, I would choose the latter every time.

Are there any certificates or associations for the grooms?

there. One of the most popular is a four-year degree in equine business management, equine studies, or equine nutrition.

Certification will be most beneficial if you plan to be a barn manager, although most degree programs will offer one or two courses that the future groom may benefit from.

Anyone considering becoming a groom should check out Pro Equine Grooms.

Horse Groom: A Day in the Life

Here’s a quick look at what an average day might look like:

• 5:45 am: Wake up
• 6:00 am: Feed the horses
• 6:30 a.m.: Procrastination and turnout cleaning
• 8:00 a.m.: Start decorating and acclimatizing to the day’s rides
• 12:00 PM: Bring the horses, throw the hay
• 1:00 pm: Short lunch break
• 1:30 p.m.: Afternoon shave and shine, manage appointments, and clean up
• 5:30 pm: Feed the horses
• 6:00 pm: Attendance at night (if any), medication, leg wrap
• 10:00 pm: Night examination

Some grooms may also help warm or cool the horses. Plan some time to help the vet (if she is going out), to hold the farrier, to meet with the chiropractor, to greet the visiting trainer, to clean the bolster, etc.

Of course, all those ex or who should be and.

Horse care as a career path – let’s talk about the dollars

If you want to be a horse groom, you’re not into it *just* for the money (which is the best, since this profession rarely comes with big dollar signs). Want to get rich with horses? Don’t become a groom.

Do you want to get rich with horse experience? This might be the right career for you.

How much can you expect to earn as a horse groom? How does it change from entry level to Olympic level?

When you first start out, you may not achieve much at all. It’s nice to have a small weekly salary, along with a place to live. As you gain more experience, you can start making $12 to $13 an hour.

At the highest level (Olympic Grooms), you can expect to make around $17 an hour. Most grooms will never earn more than $40,000 a year, with a more realistic figure being $25,000 a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What perks come with the job?

Perks are a big reason to become a groom. You will work with some of the best horses and jockeys in the industry. In addition, you will attend shows for free and you can see a lot of riding on a professional level. Not to mention all the knowledge you will absorb when listening to your rider, their trainer, vets, etc.

Did we mention that you spend the whole day with the horses?

Q: How much experience do you need to be a horse groom?

The amount of experience you need depends on the level you want to work at.

Olympic-level grooms will need at least five years of experience.

This is not a job that any equine experience could lack. Take some lessons at a local barn, volunteer at a horse shelter, or become a working student. Oftentimes, if you tell the owner/manager in your working student position that you are interested in becoming a groom, once you have proven yourself, they will tailor your experience to some of the education you need.

At the very least, you should be comfortable leading, caring for, and handling horses of all temperaments.

Q: What kind of training do you need to become a horse groom?

Think of the field like metalworking: you learn best through experience (such as an apprenticeship).

A working student position is a great place to start.

It will allow you to try different disciplines (dressing, hunters, showjumping, etc.) and learn what you prefer, as well as gain experience in all aspects of horse care.

It’s also a good idea to keep your information up-to-date. Read reputable blogs, keep up to date with the latest research, and read every book about horses, their health and well-being until you find no harm. The more you know, the better you can do your job.

Q: How do you find a job to be a horse groomer?

If you’re already in the equine world (whether you’re on a lesson program or own a horse and are sitting somewhere) it can be as easy as asking questions around.

You can contact some local vets and see if they have any clients that they are looking for. You can check job boards at tack shops. The preferred method for checking open jobs is the Yard and Groom.

parting thoughts

It’s not easy being a groom, but it can be incredibly rewarding. If you are passionate about horses and want to learn from the best, then this career might be for you. Be prepared for long days and a lot of hard work. In the end, being a groom is an unparalleled experience that you will always look at with fondness.

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