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A GROOMS LIFE BLOG

Five minutes on a Bedmax bale with Siobhan Carfray

Five minutes on a Bedmax bale with BGA member Siobhan Carfray RVN.

I work for...
Loch Leven Equine Practice as a Veterinary Nurse.

Prior to this I was a...
Travelling Head Girl for Lucinda Russell Racing.

The best part of my job is... 
Being able to help the patients and send them home again. My absolute favourite patients are foals, I could cuddle them all day!

My least favourite is...
The times when we can’t send them home again. It’s a really difficult time for owners and I always try my best to make this time easier for them, but it really is the worst part of the job.

From the grooming aspect of your job what prompts your choice in bedding?
Biosecurity within the practice is vitally important, we want to reduce the risk of spreading infections and diseases as much as we can. We try our absolute best to ensure that clients are dropping their pride and joy off to a safe and clean environment. Bedmax is a great choice of bedding for us as I personally find the larger flakes much easier to muck out and they absorb urine well. As they are dust free they are also great for patients with any respiratory issues. I also find that Bedmax creates a very fresh looking bed that provides excellent cushioning which is great for any patients with foot problems.

What gives you the most satisfaction?
I get most satisfaction from making something really dirty really clean, whether it’s a wound on a horse or the stable that they are staying in! I love when clients drop their horse off and comment on how nice the stables and the Bedmax beds are, many have said it’s like a posh hotel for their holidays!

My ideal day off consists of...
Ooooh, this is a tough one. I’d say my ideal day off would be a long walk with my border collie, Tink, then spending the day with my two nephews Archie and Hamish. Then I’d make sure I have time at the end of the day to do some cooking while watching some (dare I say it…?!) Keeping up with the Kardashians!

I would love to go to dinner with...
David Attenborough and Beyoncé.

In three words I would describe myself as...
Loyal, fun (most of the time) and…. Erm!

I love being part of the BGA because…
Having worked in two grooming environments, it’s great being part of a community where people from all disciplines of equine care support each other and advocate for each other.

Are you a member like Siobhan?

BGA MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

 

 

 

Click here for more infromation on Bedmax.

 



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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