Full-Time Equine Lead Groom - Live In or Live Out
Summary:
Location: Mane Chance Sanctuary, Monkshatch Garden Farm, Down Lane, Compton, Surrey, GU3 1DL.
Salary: £28,000 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week - working five out of seven days on a roster
Start Date: As soon as possible
This full-time position is offered as a live-in or live-out position (see details below).
About the role:
This role is much more than just looking after horses. You will become a leading part of our animals’ daily care and rehabilitation. Working with rescued horses is challenging but incredibly rewarding. Our horses have come from various situations including abuse, neglect and abandonment and they bring with them sensitivities and trauma that you will work to repair thus creating relationships based around kindness, trust and patience.
We do not ride our horses at Mane Chance, instead we work with them as individuals on a ground level with non-dominance, mutual respect and we run a bespoke method of horse-care which you will be expected to learn and adopt at all times. We also do not rehome our herd, offering them a home for life where they can feel safe and loved. This means that you will build lasting relationships with them and look after their long-term wellbeing, working to give them a quality of life that they deserve.
You will lead the physical and emotional care of our horses including making decisions on feeding, grazing and rehabilitation, working alongside the Operations Co-ordinator and supported by our team of professional vets, farriers and dentists, as well as our grooming team. You will lead the daily administration of medication, treatment of minor injuries, perform daily health checks and liaise with our vets, farriers etc. You will collaborate with the Operations Co-ordinator about the needs of the horses (reporting and recording concerns and treatments administered) and assist them in ensuring that the wider operational duties are completed, such as routine fencing checks and repairs, and fieldwork, also working alongside the General Manager and Land Supervisor.
You will also lead the development of the horses, drawing up training plans and rehabilitation exercises where necessary, and will monitor and advise on the ability of each individual animal’s ongoing capability to work within our community provision.
You will lead the equine team on a daily basis as well as the daily volunteering opportunities at the Sanctuary, in conjunction with the Operations Co-ordinator, thereby ensuring the smooth running of the day and ensuring that all necessary tasks are completed effectively. You will attend staff meetings and contribute significantly to the appraisals of the grooming team.
You will also be invited to contribute to the charity itself, inputting ideas and creating opportunities for our objectives to be met. For example, this may include devising ways of and partaking in promoting our methods of horse care to encourage greater equine welfare outside of the Sanctuary environment.
This is an unusual opportunity to be an influential player in the rescue and rehabilitation of horses, whilst also utilising management and leadership skills to be a pivotal role in a thriving equine welfare charity.
About you:
You are committed to the welfare of animals. You have professional experience of, and confidence working with horses, experience with nervous or challenging equine behaviours and understand the different needs of rescued animals and the approach required to work with them successfully. You also have experience of working with horses with a variety of medical conditions eg. Cushings and can recognise the signs of common equine illnesses such as colic, lameness etc.
You have great team-working skills and can motivate yourself and others in a working environment. You have leadership skills, can prioritise and delegate tasks, whilst also being flexible to deal with the unexpected that working with animals inevitably brings.
You can also lead a team and are an organised person who can ensure routine appointments, vaccinations and treatments are administered in a timely fashion. You understand the importance of good communication in a team and can lead a team effectively in an appropriate manner with consideration of everyone’s needs and abilities. You can also communicate effectively with those in a senior position, bringing your ideas and concerns to them with respect and efficiency, in a timely manner.
You are a fit and energetic person - our herds live out in fields and tracks over 80 acres and much of your time is spent out with them in all weathers and by its nature, the role is physically demanding!
You have an interest in natural horsemanship techniques as our horse-care methods are more in line with these than most traditional equine practices, and are prepared to learn, lead and teach our bespoke techniques and policies. You have a desire to care for rescued animals who have suffered at the hands of humans and are prepared to spend time building relationships - you will be calm and patient when working with our horses as they need to understand and trust you.
You also understand that working with horses is much more than spending time with the animals themselves. You are willing to assist with site routine checks, fence repairs and site maintenance tasks to ensure that the charity provides a safe home for our animals, staff and visitors.
Accomodation:
This post can be offered either as a live in or live out position.
Accommodation on site at the Sanctuary for a live in position consists of two private interconnected rooms (bedroom and lounge) with private bathroom and a shared kitchen. Parking is available on site. The house is shared by just two members of staff.
For a live in position, a monthly amount of £300 is charged for all utilities including council tax, broadband, water, electricity and TV Licence - there are no additional charges.
Job Content:
Please see the attached job profile for the Equine Head Groom which outlines all the duties and responsibilities of the role.
How to apply:
To apply for this role, please send an up-to-date copy of your CV, together with a brief statement of why you would like to apply for the role to office@manechancesanctuary.org
We invite you to apply as soon as possible as we will regularly complete shortlisting and invite for interview.
