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A GROOMS LIFE BLOG

Why we are better together

Throughout my years as being a groom I learnt so much. There were ups and downs… and everything in between.

I firmly believe that many of the skills I now use today in running the British Grooms Association and the Equestrian Employers Association have come from, and developed from, when I was working with horses.

  As well all the positives of being a groom, one of the factors in my founding the BGA was an experience of being bullied at work and as a result damaging my own mental well-being.

At the start of the development of Grooms Minds it became very apparent that I wasn’t on my own, with a whopping 70% of grooms have been bullied (including being the recipient of derogatory comments) within the workplace, either by their employer or by fellow workers and 83% of grooms who responded are suffering from stress and/or mental wellbeing problems.

Very clearly this has to change.

In October 2018 we launched Grooms Minds – it’s not an instant fix, but somewhere grooms can go if they are feeling out of sorts, for help and support.

This then led to the Grooms Minds Support Line being launched, where we can now proudly say there are trained counsellors available for our members 24 hours a day.

This week (13th May) we rolled the online help out for employers as well – Employers Minds has launched, because as we all know it’s not just grooms who face mental well-being challenges.

One important factor which we, as the industry, mustn’t overlook is the correlation between Good Employment and mental health.

By ‘good employment’ we don’t mean the grooms who are paid the most.

We mean the grooms who have great communication with their boss and team, grooms who have written contracts, payslips, holidays, days off, are paid for the hours they work.

Those who work for people who say thank you and not just expect more.

A survey we ran many years ago looking at the reasons people choose to work with horses stuck with me; amongst other things, and above the importance of getting well paid and extra holidays, was the feeling of gratitude.

The most important things was to be recognised and for their employer to say thank you. That was all. A simple thank you, a gesture of appreciation.

So what can we all do? Well it’s quite simple really.

 

The messages that ‘You are not alone’, and ‘It’s OK not to be OK’ really are strong ones – and that works for both sides, employers and employees.

By sharing this information on your own social channels and discussing these issues at work you are already breaking those barriers.

The next step is also simple. Imagine if, instead of the 50% who currently have written contracts of employment’, it was 100%. Ambitious?

We don’t think so which is why you can create and download them on the Equestrian Employers Association website for just £37.50 (for as many contracts as you like).

It’s no coincidence that 27th May will bring with it our ‘Give your Staff a Contract Week’. The platform to deliver more of this important message.

It’s our industry – lets be proud of it and make it what we want it to be. By working together we are so much better.

JOIN FOR JUST £21.50

 

 

 



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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