Executive Director's plea to all grooms

Just last week we issued a plea to grooms and riders to be even more careful… unfortunately this weekend proved how relevant that message was.

Over the last few days we have received multiple messages from grooms who have been injured due to an accident at work. Clipping, exercising, turning out – just some of the circumstances.

And what is even more sad is that some of those who contacted us have no insurance in place.

I have never been more concerned for the welfare and safety of the 10’s of 1000’s of grooms who are working on all types of yards.

This latest lockdown poses a serious issue surrounding fresh, sharp horses and in some cases might not be getting as much exercise as they usually would do.

So I feel that something needs to be said – grooms, riders, all that work with horses – please urgently consider the following:

Do you belong to the BGA and are you protecting your income with Silver or Platinum Membership? Two of the contacts from this weekend were NOT members and as a result, they have both missed out on the vital income protection, in one case it would be likely into the £1,000’s.  Please, honestly, we can’t stress strongly enough how important personal accident insurance is for any working groom and especially if you are a self-employed freelancer. We have made it affordable at just £11.79 per month. That is just £2.72 per week! Please today, not tomorrow, take just 5 minutes to protect yourself.

Please review the health and safety on the yard(s) that you work. Now IS the time to take no risks, in fact the opposite. We all have to play our part in protecting the NHS – it is really critical. Ask yourself, do you really wish to end up in hospital right now simply because you couldn’t be bothered to put your gloves on to lead out to the fields? Maybe if you had your gloves on, your hands wouldn’t of been so cold, when the horse spooked it wouldn’t have got away from you, and maybe your leg wouldn’t have been kicked with the result of you being in a hospital bed with 2 broken bones and taking a place in surgery. Grooms, please take responsibility. Look at the yard, what can be made safer? Be smart and safe.

The British Grooms Association is working so hard on behalf of all grooms. We are vocal about your role as an essential worker on the grounds of horse welfare, but now is the time to look after your own welfare and consider the implications of not doing so.

Yes this is a pitch for you to come and join us if you haven’t already done so, and we are not ashamed of that fact – because we are offering you a bespoke, affordable and trusted by grooms insurance – it is for you.

Please be safe and work sensibly and smartly over the coming weeks until the weather warms, the fields dry up and we all (including the fresh horses) can take a deep breath.

Lucy x

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