Job Title: Weekend Yard Groom – Part Time.
Hours: 1 or 2 weekend days per week.

Working hours will consist of split-shift weekend work: morning shift from 8:00–11:00 and afternoon shift from 14:00–16:00. There is flexibility to share shifts between team members. Additional weekday hours may be available to cover holiday and sickness, and to support the delivery of sessions.

Vacancy Full Description:
We are recruiting an enthusiastic and dedicated individual eager to develop their knowledge, passion and skills of the equine world. The successful candidate will work sole charge on the weekends caring for our equine-assisted therapy horses, most of whom live out on a track & field system 24/7. They will sit within our wider team, reporting to the Yard Manager to manage weekend running of the yard, overseeing horse care, and maintaining a safe environment for staff, young people and the horses that we have on site.

Key Responsibilities:

Daily Yard Operations:

Sole charge.

Mucking out stables.

Turning out and bringing in horses.

Feeding, watering, and haying.

Poo picking and horse track & field maintenance.

Maintaining yard cleanliness.

Lunging/long reining.

Assisting with horse care, health, and welfare.

Monitoring horse condition and reporting to the Yard Manager of any concerns.

Treating minor wounds, changing dressings, and administering prescribed medications.

Supervising horse exercising and grooming.

Staff and Volunteer Management:

Ensuring stable management, horse health, and safety standards are upheld

Communicating effectively with staff, and volunteers.

Reflecting on personal approaches to horse training and understanding experience limits, supported by a strong CPD programme

About SLTH Equine Therapy & This Role

Strength & Learning Through Horses (SLTH) is an award-winning London charity supporting children and young people through equine-assisted therapy, alternative education and vocational programmes. The wellbeing of our horses is central to everything we do. Our work is grounded in ethical, evidence-informed horsemanship, high standards of care, and deep respect for the physical and emotional needs of each horse.

We deliver mental health and education support to some of London’s most vulnerable young people from our North London base in High Barnet. Already one of the largest equine-assisted therapy charities in the UK, we have ambitious plans for continued growth and development.

Working Conditions:

Most work is outdoors in all weather conditions and can be very physical.

Working hours will consist of split shift weekend work, Morning shift, 8:00-11:00, Afternoon shift, 14:00-16:00. Possibility of additional weekday hours covering holiday and sickness as well as supporting in the delivery of sessions.

Qualifications and Experience:

Essential:

A clear, up-to-date enhanced DBS check

Knowledge and experience in caring for various horses, including those living out full time

Strong working knowledge of horse psychology

Understanding of training horses through groundwork techniques

Ability to read horse body language and assess and intervene in risky behaviour

Excellent communication skills

Experience liaising with professionals such as veterinary surgeons and farriers

Physically fit and able to undertake all horse care and yard management tasks

Commitment to continued learning about horse psychology and openness to training

Self-motivated, able to work alone and as part of a team

None

There are opportunities for targeted training in equine psychology, groundwork, and equine-assisted therapy and learning, for the right candidate there’s the opportunity to progress into work delivering equine asssisted therapy and learning sessions with our young people.

Training and Education: Working with young people with mental health and educational needs, with regular training and supervision when needed.

Inspiring and educating young people to access the equestrian industry and develop training aims.

Potential to assist in therapy and education programmes and groundwork training sessions

Preferable:

BHS Stage 2 Care or Level Three Apprenticeship in Horse Care and Management or greater.

Knowledge and practical ability in exercising horses and groundwork.

Experience working with vulnerable young people and adults.