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I wish I did it sooner!

5th July 2022
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Meet Liz Thomas, a British Grooms Association member who, after a lifetime of loving horses, became a freelance groom when her children were at school.

We asked Liz what is like to follow your passion and change your career later in life, the first thing Liz said was;

“I wish I did it sooner”

Q - What inspired you to become a freelance groom?

A - The freedom to set my own hours, rates and even decide who I work for inspired me to do Freelancing.

Also, the encouragement of Lucy, BGAs founder, who said;

  "Go for it! Age is no limit!"

That was 15 years ago. I joined the BGA then and still have issue 1 of the May 2007 magazine.

Q - What has been the biggest challenge so far?

A - One of my biggest challenges is bad handwriting! Lots of owners leave notes, which is great, but not always easy to read! Also, coming up against more ‘ traditional’ methods in horse care and training. Most horses just want to please!

Q - What is the most rewarding part?

A - For me, one of the most rewarding aspects is to be able to form a bond with the horses I care for. I always treat them as though they are my own.

 

Q - What do you love about the BGA?

A - The BGA Toolkit has some brilliant templates, like the letters to clients and advice on setting up your own business. The training courses, like the MediK First Aid are also great.

Q - Who are you most inspired by and why?

A - My inspiration has to be Monty Roberts and the results he can achieve without the use of violence. Groundwork is so important in his methods and can be introduced by anyone to improve safety around horses.

Q - Who would you most like to spend a day with, where would you take them and why?

A - I would join a long queue, but I would love to spend a day with the Queen! She has such a love for horses and has seen such changes in Equestrian ways in her lifetime. I'm hoping she'd show me around her Sandringham Stud, but I know she's a busy lady.

We are here for YOU.

If, like Liz, you would like to belong to a community of grooms for support, guidance and training, (not to mention the discounted insurance or member benefit discounts), then find out more about our affordable membership, from as little as 47p per week!

BGA Membership Options

 



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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