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The differences 
Home / Training & careers / Change to racing / How racing is different

How it is different Horse racing groom member of British Grooms Association

It depends on your current employment situation and the type of groom you are as to how different it will be for you to make the move to work in racing. 

One thing that is for sure, is that if you are working for a licensed trainer your employment will be legal, as this is mandatory and observed to. 




There are many examples of people working in racing who have come from a very different equestrian career. Racehorse trainers welcome  grooms from all sectors to come and join their teams to being a new career path. 

If you want to work directly with horses but don't ride you might like to take a look at the Ground Based Yard Staff Courses at the British Racing School or National Horseracing College or the free training for a career in the breeding industry course that is run at the National Stud.  

Have a look at the Careers in Racing Job Board for opportunities. 

 


A comparison between an event groom and racing groom

How does your career compare? Download this article about the differences in training, wages and working hours. 

 

HOW Will my day be different?

It depends on the type of yard that you work on as to how similar life as racing groom is to what you are used to. 

Racing yards can vary in size from fairly small of just 10-20 horses, to large scale operations of 100+ with over 30 members of staff.

Here are some pointers as to what might be a little different:  

The hours of work

Working on a racing yard can mean an earlier start. This is due to the fact that before 11am most of the horses are exercised by riding out in groups. 

It depends if one of your horses is racing, and thus if you will accompany them as to what happens in the rest of the day. 

There is usually a long lunch break (can be up to 3 hours) and then back to finish off the yard. 

 

The daily tasKS

The general stable duties and horse care is exactly the same of a race horse as what you are used to working with. 
The general ratio of horses to look after is 4-8. 

 

WHAT RACING GROOMS WEAR

Don't worry about having to buy a new wardrobe. You will wear exactly the same as you normally do! 
You will need a body protector as it is a required item for riding up the gallops and a good quality riding hat is highly recommended. You can discover more here.

 

The Riding 

If you don't ride in your current job, or don't want to ride, there are plenty of non riding opportunities in racing.  

It depends on your level of riding experience as to which horses you will ride. A racing yard will vary from just broken in youngsters to seasoned school masters. You will get quickly used to riding with a slightly shorter stirrups. 

 

THE TEAM

It is quite common for a racing yard to have a big team of staff. This creates a fun workplace, this would be quite a difference if you were used to working on your own or with just one other. 

 

 

 

 

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