Groom (full-time)
HorseWorld Trust
Location: Whitchurch, Bristol
Salary: £24,424 per annum, plus benefits
Hours: Average of 35 hours per week , including one weekend in four. Working hours 7.5 hours between 8am-4pm.
A groom role that helps horses and young people thrive
At HorseWorld, we believe in the power of horses to change lives.
For more than 70 years, we’ve rescued and rehabilitated 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.
Our work reaches even further through Discovery — our Equine Assisted Learning programme which helps children and young people who are struggling in mainstream education rebuild confidence, connection and a sense of possibility, by working with our rescued horses.
Job Role
To deliver high standards of equine care, welfare and husbandry across HorseWorld, ensuring horses’ individual needs are met and they are appropriately prepared and available for Discovery sessions, training and other activities.
To support the delivery of Welfare and Discovery programmes while promoting equine wellbeing, safe working practices and positive outcomes.
Key Tasks
- 1. Caring for the equines at HorseWorld
- Caring for grazed and stable kept equines, including feeding, treatment of minor ailments and the administration of veterinary medicines
- Daily handling and training of a variety of equines including youngsters, stallions and nervous/feral horses
- Daily care of our sanctuary/resident horses
- Grooming, foot care, clipping and trimming.
- Catching and moving horses around over a vast 180 acre site
- Assisting vets, dentists, farriers and other specialists
- Providing an excellent level of equine care, including nursing of sick equines and new arrivals
- Assisting with equine rescues as required
- General duties at Isolation Unit involving equines in restrictive quarantine requiring biosecurity measures
- Assisting with out of hours equine care as required
2. Undertaking yard duties
- Carrying out daily checks and providing hay and feed to c100 horses over the site
- Maintaining loose boxes and crew barns including mucking out and haying
- Assisting with care of grazing land including tasks such as skipping out paddocks, weed pulling and trough cleaning
- Keeping yard clean and tidy and cleaning/maintaining yard equipment
3. Other duties to ensure the effective operation of HorseWorld
- Adhering to all statutory health and safety regulations, taking responsibility for health and safety on site for yourself and those around you
- Ensuring any hazards or problems are reported to your Line Manager
- Taking responsibility for clothing, footwear and PPE issued to you
- Assisting with tours and demonstrations to visitors/groups on the Welfare yard as required.
- Assisting with promotional activities and special events eg Open Days
- Assisting with the supervision of student placements and volunteers as required
- Attending and contributing to meetings and training and development activities as necessary
- Behaving in a polite and acceptable manner at all times
- Presenting HorseWorld in a way that is consistent with its work and philosophy
- Additional duties as requested
Essential knowledge and experience
- Experience of caring for a variety of horses and ponies
- Knowledge of common equine health issues
- Sound knowledge of routine equine care matters
Essential skills and abilities
- Ability to help provide care for horses and ponies with a range of physical and behavioural problems
- Hardworking with ability to prioritise and organise workload
- Positive, patient and calm approach with horses
- Flexible and adaptable to match equine requirements
- Able to work using own initiative and work unsupervised
- Able to work as part of a team
Desirable skills and training
- Minimum of two years’ work experience in the equine industry
- Qualification to tow a trailer/horsebox
- Equine related qualifications
- Training in alternative horsemanship methods
- Knowledge of health and safety
Special Conditions
- This is a physically demanding role that requires working outside in all weathers and conditions
- Valid UK driving licence required
- Ability to work weekends between 8am to 3.30pm essential
- Required to assist with other duties within the Welfare such as fundraising activities etc
- DBS check required– we practice Safer Recruitment
- Commitment to the charity and its aims, in particular providing excellent care to equines in need
Why join HorseWorld?
Because this is a place where:
- rescued horses are given a second chance at a meaningful life
- young people who are struggling can rediscover confidence and connection
- and small teams can make a very big difference
You’ll be joining at an important moment in our journey. And yes — you’ll work on a beautiful 180-acre site surrounded by horses, muddy boots, big ideas and people who care deeply about what they do.
Application Details
To apply for this role please complete the application form (available to download from our website or contact us to request the form).
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.
Contact:
jen.dreux@horseworld.org.uk Jen Dreux, HR Officer, HorseWorld, Delmar Hall, Keynes Farm, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol BS14 0QL
Deadline for receipt of applications: Friday 20 November 2026
