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Groom pathway

The BHS Groom Pathway supports and celebrates those wishing to pursue a career as a groom, from a foundation groom through to a performance centre manager.

  • Last reviewed: 2nd August 2022
Groom Pathway Groom Pathway

Working with horses is a lifestyle choice and this is particularly prevalent in a groom’s career. Career opportunities are diverse, from working for professional riders or becoming a groom in a stud yard, to riding schools or managing an extensive equestrian business. Each groom will find a niche which suits them. 

A professional in this career will require broad equestrian knowledge and practical ability, including the management and handling of horses, equine health, anatomy, physiology, feeding, fitness, saddlery, shoeing, stable design, grassland management and the highest level of turnout. 

Who is this pathway for?

  • Anyone who enjoys caring for and managing the welfare of horses 
  • Anyone aspiring to manage an established equestrian business 
  • Entry level and experienced grooms looking to advance a career in grooming, stable and business management
  • Anyone looking to become a Performance Coach in Complete Horsemanship BHSI – the only career path to progress to the BHS Fellowship

Career pathway:

Groom pathway

1
  • Stage 1

Care

Stage 1 Care is your first step in pursuing a career with horses. Ensuring a level of competence in the care and management of horses within your responsibility, it provides a solid foundation on which you can build your skills to become a groom in the industry.

Care (Stage 1)
2
  • Stage 2

Foundation groom

BHSQ Level 2 Foundation Groom (Stage 2) is for anyone looking to begin a career as an assistant groom and those wanting to progress their journey along the BHS Groom Pathway.

Foundation Groom (Stage 2)
3
  • Stage 3

Groom

BHSQ Level 3 Groom (Stage 3) is for those working as an independent groom, providing you with the skills to care for a number of horses to the highest industry standards.

Groom (Stage 3)
4
  • Stage 4

Senior Yard Manager

BHSQ Level 4 Senior Yard Manager (Stage 4) is for those looking to move into a management position in the equestrian industry. You may aspire to run a riding centre or become a senior groom within the sport.

Senior Yard Manager (Stage 4)

Next Steps - Performance Coach & Fellow

The Performance Show Jumping Coach BHSI certificate endorses you as an ambassador for the BHS at home and overseas, showing commitment to the continued development and leading standards of equitation and coaching with the welfare of the horse central to your coaching philosophy.

The BHS Fellowship is the ultimate aspiration for any coach and is recognised as the highest equestrian qualification in the world.

Coaching Pathway (Showjumping)

Performance Show Jumping Coach BHSI

Become A BHS Fellow

Become a BHS Fellow

Meet Pheobe

Watch

Meet Phoebe - a Stage 2 Foundation Groom

Potential careers

  • Foundation groom
  • Groom
  • Senior groom (Head Groom)
  • Riding centre manager
  • Stud manager
  • Equine yard manager in various disciplines
  • Stable manager
  • Equestrian business manager

The BHS Groom with Riding Pathway

Many grooms will be expected to be able to ride. The BHS Groom with Riding Pathway provides the practical riding skills and knowledge to support a rider or groom that has responsibility to care for, produce, train and exercise horses.

Read more about the BHS Groom with Riding Pathway here.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please complete our enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly. Alternatively you can call us on 02476 840508.