Equine Welfare Apprentice
We have an exciting opportunity for an Equine Welfare Apprentice to support the Horseworld welfare team providing daily care to a wide variety of rescued horses.
Join us and be part of something meaningful!
About HorseWorld Trust
Our Vision: A world where horses and people help each other to live and work in harmony.
Our Mission: To create a safe community where horses and people connect together and enjoy lifelong learning.
Our Values: Caring . Collaborative . Proactive . Adaptable . Inclusive
Established in 1952, HorseWorld Trust is a registered charity based in Whitchurch, near Bristol, committed to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing horses, ponies and donkeys in need. Our Welfare department provides a home to all our new arrivals, including sick, neglected and traumatised horses and ponies. We have a team of trained staff committed to their care and rehabilitation and eventual re-homing. HorseWorld also runs a ground-breaking educational programme called Discovery which supports emotional growth and learning in young people through hands-on experience with our rescued horses, ponies and donkeys.
Workplace: HorseWorld Trust Welfare Yard, Keynes Farm, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 0QL
Hours: 4 ½ days (31.5 hours a week) You will receive a 30 minute (unpaid) lunch break. Must be available to work weekends and bank holidays.
Pay: £8 per hour
Responsible to: Assistant Operations Manager
Role Overview
This apprenticeship is an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in equine welfare within a supportive and professional team. You will learn from experts in rehabilitation and retraining, building a strong foundation for a future career in the equine sector.
This is a hands-on role supporting the daily care of a wide variety of rescued horses, including feral, young, entire, and previously abused equines. You will have the opportunity to work closely with equine professionals such as vets, farriers, dentists, and physiotherapists, gaining valuable experience in equine care, rehabilitation, and retraining. While this is a non-riding role, you will gain practical skills in handling horses safely and using positive and negative reinforcement training techniques.
What you will be doing
General Husbandry Duties
- Mucking out stables and barns, sweeping, filling hay nets, maintain a tidy working environment
- Feeding, grooming, and providing basic foot care
- Assisting with minor wound care and nursing sick or new horses
- Supporting equine rescues and welfare emergencies as required
- Working in the Isolation Unit, adhering to biosecurity measures
- Providing out-of-hours equine care when necessary
Providing daily care for horses at pasture
- Conducting daily checks and providing feed to around 100 horses across 180 acres
- Assisting with paddock maintenance, including cleaning, weed control, and water troughs
- Monitoring horse health and treating minor ailments in the field
Support to Welfare Team
- Catching and releasing horses and ponies at pasture for training or routine care
- Assisting with handling and training a variety of horses, including youngsters, stallions, and nervous or feral horses
- Supporting external professionals during visits (vet, farrier, dentist)
Contributing to HorseWorld
- Adhering to all health and safety regulations and maintaining personal protective equipment
- Supporting onsite events such as Sponsorship and Open Days
- Representing HorseWorld positively at all times
- Undertaking additional duties as requested
Candidate Profile
We’re looking for a hands-on, passionate individual with some previous experience of horse care. You’ll be caring for rescued horses of all ages and backgrounds, working outdoors, and learning from equine professionals. Reliable, hardworking, and eager to learn, you’ll help make a real difference in the lives of rescue horses every day.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Genuine passion for equine welfare and care
- Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions
- Previous experience working with horses or ponies (paid or voluntary)
- Basic knowledge of horse behaviour, handling, and care
- Team player with strong communication skills
- Reliability, punctuality, and commitment to a fixed schedule
- Proactive approach to health and safety and biosecurity
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Experience with young, nervous, feral, or entire horses
- Knowledge of equine first aid or minor nursing care
- Interest or experience in equine training methods
- Ability to assist with events and public engagement
- Full driving licence
How to apply
We are proud to offer The apprenticeship scheme with Haddon Training. Please apply via the national apprenticeship website.
HorseWorld - Whitchurch Branch - Equine Welfare Apprenticeship – Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK
Please note that this role is subject to a DBS check, and you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK. We are a Safer Recruitment organisation and this is mandatory.
Application Deadline: 30 October 2025