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A GROOMS LIFE BLOG

COPING WITH MUD AT SHOWS - AUGUST 2017

Having just returned from a rather wet and muddy Hickstead this blog seemed very appropriate. Unfortunately not every show ground has endless concrete and hard standing. So how do you cope when its mud, mud and more mud?

I always pack spares of pretty much everything, especially boots, bandages, numnahs, towels and rugs. I can guarantee the one time you don’t pack spares it will rain, be muddy and you’ll drop something and it’ll get filthy.

Pack as many towels as you have room for. There’s no point washing off a horses legs and then wading through ankle deep mud to get back to the stable, so in these situations it’s a case of carefully washing legs and feet in the stable and towel drying thoroughly, trying not to soak the bed in the process (often easier said than done).

Not all stables are on hard standing so having a separate tack stable or a portable tack locker as we have is a god send when the weather is bad. We always have tarpaulin and stable drapes in the lorry as well for those unexpected wet weather and muddy occasions. 

Thankfully at Hickstead they had tractors on standby to tow lorries out and a gator to tow tack lockers out of the stables. 

I always check my iPhone weather app and the met office app at least a week before a show so I can try and gauge what to pack and how much, just make sure you use the location of the show ground. However this isn’t always accurate so always be prepared for the unexpected, and think about what you need to pack for yourself as well. I made this mistake last year at Sheepgate premier league, having checked and then double and triple checked the weather it said it was meant to be dry and sunny all week so I didn’t take my wellies, well we were ankle deep in mud all week, I have now learnt my lesson and pack wellies all year round however nice the weather is suppose to be!

I also always pack extra layers such as jumpers and coats, some places are always windy and chilly despite lovely weather so again be prepared for that, and I cant stand getting wet feet, so extra socks is a must for me.

Being friends with lots of the other grooms is great because no matter how bad the weather or conditions get we all seem to keep each other’s spirits up and keep going, its also great to get tips and ideas from others on coping with different conditions and experiences.

Remember the Great British summer time isn’t always reliable, well weather in general, so always be prepared! 



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What the personal accident policy covers you for:

  • Whilst at work
  • All stable duties – mucking out, grooming, washing off, turning out
  • Clipping
  • Riding – including hacking and jumping
  • Hunting
  • Lunging
  • Breaking in
  • Holding horse for a vet and other procedures
  • Travelling horses both in the UK and abroad
  • Competing in line with your job including: jumping, dressage, eventing
  • Injuries that may happen to you whilst you are teaching - but you must also be grooming as part of your duties and not be a sole instructor

What the personal accident policy doesn’t cover you for:

  • Riding in a race, point to point or team chase
  • Stunt Riding
  • Accidents occurring whilst travelling to and from work
  • Riding and competing your own horse (but you can upgrade when applying for membership to include this)
  • Public Liability – this is a separate insurance policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance
  • Care Custody and Control – this is a separate policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance

If you require additional cover then please contact KBIS directly.

   GROOM  RIDER  EMPLOYER

When you are working for other people you do most of the following; muck out, turn out/catch in, tack up, groom horses, exercise Horses (including hacking, jumping and schooling), in the care of your employer/client.

 
YES

 
NO

 
NO

Predominantly ride horses for other people including schooling, exercising and competing.   
NO
 
YES

YES
 Provide grooming services for someone else either full time or on a freelance basis i.e. an employer or a client.   
YES

NO

NO
Employ staff – have an employers liability policy in your name NO NO YES
Buy and sell horses NO YES YES