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Horse groom

Alternative titles for this job include Stable hand, racing groom, equine groom

Horse grooms are responsible for the care, exercise and welfare of horses and ponies, and maintain the animals' stables and riding equipment.

Average salary (a year)

£16,000 Starter

to

£28,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need for this job.

Courses include:

  • horse care
  • horse management
  • equine studies

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to a stables or racing yard to do an apprenticeship, for example:

  • Equine Groom Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Senior Equine Groom Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These can take between 1 and 2 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend some time with a college or learning provider.

If you're aged 16 or over and interested in working in the racing industry, The British Racing School at Newmarket and the National Horseracing College at Doncaster offer pre-apprenticeship foundation courses.

Courses last between 6 and 18 weeks, depending on your experience, and can lead on to an apprenticeship in racehorse care and a career as a groom.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Volunteering

Volunteering or doing seasonal work in a stable is a good way to show employers that you're keen to work with horses and learn more about the industry. You can also make contacts that may be useful when you start to look for paid jobs.

Other Routes

If you're working with horses, you may be able to take qualifications, like those offered by The British Horse Society (BHS). They have courses at different stages to match your experience.

More Information

Career tips

Some employers provide on-site accommodation for their staff as part of a salary and benefits package.

Further information

You can find out more about training and working with horses from the British Grooms Association and careersinracing.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • physical fitness and endurance
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You may need your own transport if you're not living on site.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a horse groom, you could:

  • feed and water horses
  • clean equipment like saddles, bridles and rugs
  • prepare horses for riding (tacking up)
  • clean, brush and clip horses' coats and manes
  • muck out stables, replace bedding and keep the yard tidy
  • monitor horses' health and report signs of illness or injury
  • take horses out for daily exercise

Working environment

You could work at a riding stable.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and further training, you could take charge of a stable yard or become head groom.

In a racing yard, you could progress to head lad or girl, then on to assistant trainer or trainer.

If you work in a riding stable you could train to become a riding instructor.

If you're interested in working in the horse breeding industry, for example as a stud groom, you could do training with the The National Stud in Newmarket.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Equine Groom Apprentice - National Hunt Racing Yard

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: WITHINGTON, CHELTENHAM, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Equine Groom Apprentice

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: HILLSIDE, ODIHAM, HOOK
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Horse Management City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma

  • Provider: HEREFORDSHIRE, LUDLOW, AND NORTH SHROPSHIRE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Hereford

Equine Management

  • Provider: SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE
  • Start date: 09 September 2025
  • Location: Ipswich
Find courses near you

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