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WHY I AM A MEMBER
“The bespoke information has been invaluable for my career and employment; I don’t feel alone anymore. I have the peace of mind knowing my income is protected with my BGA insurance.”
Jenny Hooch
BGA Member
- Your Career
- Freelancing
- BGA Training
- Healthy Yard Healthy Horses
- Transporting horses
- Brexit
- Safe workplace
- Student zone
- Member Discounts
- BG Magazine
- International Grooms Association
- BGA CV Creator
- Horse groom training
- Where to Train
- BGA E Learning
- Career choices
- Change to Racing
- First Aid training for grooms
- Parents
WATCH OUR VIDEO
The differences
How it is different 
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.
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:
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The hours of workWorking 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. |
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The daily tasKS
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WHAT RACING GROOMS WEAR
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The Riding
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THE TEAM
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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 | |
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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. |
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| 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 |
The BGA is the national representative body for all
grooms working in the UK or British grooms abroad.
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