Is Grooming Really a Career?

For me being a groom isn’t just a job it’s a way of life and a passion. I’m so lucky I get to travel a lot with my job both in the UK and abroad. I find it a really varied job and I love that no two days are the same. It is one of the most physically and mentally demanding jobs but also one of the most rewarding.

I think that recently over the last few years being a groom has become a lot more celebrated and recognised as a profession and a career. Social media has played a huge part in this, it's so much easier for people to connect and engage in what’s going on in the industry, which is a really positive thing.

The British Grooms Association work tirelessly to raise the profile of grooms and help to make sure we get the respect we deserve, they also try to help with issues such as contracts, National Minimum Wage and better working and living conditions, which means that the good grooms can 'afford' to keep working with horses.

There are now awards specifically for grooms in the industry such as the Haddon Training awards and FEI awards. Other grooms in the industry Alan Davies, Mark Fisher and Jackie Potts to name a few also work hard to help raise awareness of how hard working and dedicated grooms are. It also helps that top riders have become more active in supporting their super grooms on social media. A small thank you really goes a long way.

Although it’s become more of a celebrated and respected career which Is fantastic, I think we need to be aware that it doesn’t become ‘glamourised’ if you like, its important to educate the next generation of grooms on what the job really is like to hopefully help them to become the next award winning groom.

We can’t ignore the fact that it is a tough industry to make a career in, its both very physically and mentally demanding. Apprenticeships are a great way to gain on the job knowledge and qualifications, a great groom is worth their weight in gold and to work with one is invaluable if you want a career as a groom.

There are now qualifications available specifically for grooms, such as the ‘BHS equine excellence pathway’, they offer courses from stage 1 care which is designed for anyone who enjoys caring for horses and is aspiring to perhaps one day carve a career in the industry (a good starting point in your career), then all the way up to stage 5 stable manager, which is aimed at those wanting to fulfil a more senior management role. These courses not only cover the care of the horses but also cover management, health and safety legislation, grassland maintenance etc so requires extensive knowledge and practical skills.

As well as the brilliant courses available I believe on the job experience is invaluable to making a career out of grooming, it also helps to have a good sense of humour, dedication, passion, ambition and a thick skin! if you already work with horses and want to develop your skills then have a look at the BGA's Equine Skills CV.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to turn your passion for horses into a career then as I said above there are many ways into the industry and lots of training available, however if you think you just get to pat the pretty ponies all day and you don’t want to get your nails dirty of horse slobber in your hair then grooming is certainly not for you and I suggest a different career path!

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