Grooms are generally responsible for tasks such as mucking out stalls, feed
preparation and distribution, cleaning and refilling water containers,
grooming and bathing, cleaning tack, bandaging legs, tacking up, and
administering basic first aid for cuts and scrapes. Grooms with riding
skills may warm up or cool out a horse for its rider.
Grooms also hold horses for treatment by the
farrier and veterinarian, assist with preparations for shipping horses to
shows or races, and operate various pieces of farm equipment.
Most grooms are supervised by a barn manager, trainer, or foreman. The groom
is expected to report back to those in management when they notice any
injuries, changes in behavior, or potential hazards.
Your day-to-day duties might
include:
giving horses food and
water
replacing bedding
cleaning equipment like
saddles and bridles
cleaning, brushing and
clipping horses' coats
mucking out stables
monitoring the condition
of horses and reporting problems
treating minor wounds,
changing dressings and giving some medications
following instructions
from vets when treatment is needed
You may also be responsible for exercising the horses each day.
If you work with show jumpers or race horses, you’ll prepare them for
events.
In studs and breeding yards you’ll work with stallions, mares and foals, and
may help vets to deliver foals.
In riding schools you may greet clients, lead riders out on foot, and
accompany them on horseback.