How to Become a Horse Groom

This article will describe how to work as a horse groom and what to expect while working as one.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A healthy body both mentally and physically
• Experience and or Education concerning horses
• Resume
• A positive attitude, a groom can never be afraid of working long hours.
• Health Insurance, most employers do not offer benefits. It is a MUST.
• Extra money saved up, most groom jobs do not offer enough money to live off of. Even with free housing, you will have health insurance to pay, cell phone bills, student loans, food and many other expe
• Barn clothing, and riding clothing.
• Most likely need a car that you can travel with.

1. Anyone looking into this industry first needs to understand a few things. The horse show industry (Hunter Jumper) is money oriented, much like other industries. Trainers supply a service to their clients. As a groom you are apart of that service. You will be responsible for all or most of the horses care and appearance. Being at the bottem of the farm totum pole, you will be the person that everyone will go to if anything goes wrong, whether it is your fault or not. A person wanting to work as a horse groom needs to be able to take productive critisim well. They also will need a thick skin.

2. Once you have decided that working as a horse groom is for you, you need to make a resume. Make sure to include all of your experience with horses. For example: years riding, accomplishments, trainers, colleges and schools. Do not exaggerate what you know, or your experience. If you do not have a reputation in the industry in the area you choose to work, employers will take every word of the resume to heart. You might be put into a dangerous situation you are not ready for.

3. Get your resume seen. Go to local tack stores. Talk to the people who work their about finding a job. They know a good portion of their clients. Also, check bulletin boards for job openings. If you know a vet in the area personally, you can ask them about barns that might need help. Another good place to find work is at horse shows. Many trainers and owners will post adds for grooms. One of the easiest ways to find a groom job is online. You can find websites such as yardandgroom.com to post your resumes and get noticed. Search in your local area for bulletin boards online.

4. Go to your interview. Most horse groom job interviews will be at the farm you will work at. Do not dress up the way you would dress up for an office job. Know the industry fashion. For a hunter jumper groom interview, you will be fine with a pair of nice jeans, clean and polished paddock boots, and a polo shirt. Wear your hair and makeup conservitivly. The idea is to look professional and polished.

5. While at the Interview follow normal interview procedures. Be ready to ask questions and to answer them. Pay very close attention to the way they treat the other grooms or employees. Make sure you can handle the job they are offering.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to find former employees to find out what it is like to work for the barn.
• If you choose not to live at the farm, make sure the commute is no more then 25-30 mins. You may have to make night calls, or you may need to get to work fast for emergencies.
• Do not take criticism personally, he or she also has bad days.
• Learn how to work the way the trainer wants you to work. Even if it might mean going against the way you believe things should be done. After all, they hired you to work the way they want you to work.
• Be confident in your abilities and keep your mind on the job at hand.
• Wear your sunscreen!!!
• Get comfortable shoes to groom in at horse shows. You will spend many hours on your feet.
• Bring water bottles with you to horse shows. During the summer you will be standing in the sun for a majority of the time. Make sure you stay hydrated. Also bring snacks like granola bars, you might not have time for lunch.
• Never work for someone who wants to pay you "under the table"
• If the employer talks badly about their employees excessively during the interview, you might want to look for someone else to work for.
• Check the employee turnover. If people are coming in and out often you should avoid working for that barn.
• If living at the barn you can expect free housing and anywhere from $100-$500 a week (sometimes no compensation). If commuting you can expect $400-$800 a week. A horse groom does not work for the money, but because they love what they do.
• Expect long hours. At horse shows you will have days that you need to start working around 5am. You will not get lunch brakes. You can also expect to sometimes work as late as 10pm if you have horses going in night classes.

Resources

• Yard And Groom
• Horse Job Source
• Horse Jobs Online
• Truth Behind Horse Jobs

[1cream2sugars]

on 1/7/2009 Excellent advice for anyone hoping to become a horse groom.