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- Tasks: Care for and train horses, preparing them for rehoming.
- Company: Join Blue Cross at Rolleston rehoming centre, dedicated to animal welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, wellbeing support, pension scheme, and charity discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of horses and their future homes.
- Qualifications: Experience with horses, empathy, and a passion for animal welfare.
- Other info: Flexible zero hours contract with opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 14 £ per hour.
Join our team at Blue Cross Rolleston rehoming centre as a Standby Horse Adoptions Preparation Handler! We’re looking for a passionate and experienced individual to care for and train our horses, helping prepare them for rehoming. If you’re dedicated to animal welfare and have solid equine experience, we’d love to hear from you!
More about the role
As a skilled horse handler and trainer, you will manage and care for horses in our rehoming and temporary crisis care services, ensuring they meet welfare standards and are quickly prepared for new homes. Each day, you'll handle and train a variety of horses and ponies, collaborating with the Rehabilitation, Trainer and Behaviour Advisor (RTBA) and the Adoptions Preparation Lead. This includes starting and training unhandled horses and ponies. You’ll work as part of a team to optimise training and provide excellent customer service, promoting Blue Cross horses and ponies to maximise rehoming opportunities. You’ll also collaborate with centre-based volunteers and the Foster Yard Coordinator regarding potential foster horses. As the public face of Blue Cross, you’ll prioritise customer service in every interaction. Your role is key in helping us achieve our mission and support more pets and horses. You will be on a zero hour’s contract and therefore you will not have regular hours of work but will be on standby to work shifts as and when required.
About you
You are intuitive with horses, empathetic, and welfare-focused, with experience in a similar environment. Skilled at assessing horse needs, recognising behavioural signs, and knowledgeable about medications, you understand the importance of quickly finding new homes for horses. Self-motivated and forward-thinking, you bring creative, collaborative, and pragmatic solutions for horse care. You quickly assimilate and accurately record information while effectively communicating with clients and stakeholders. In an emotionally charged environment, your resilience and emotional intelligence shine, showing empathy and support for clients and colleagues alike.
Knowledge, skills, and experience
- Demonstrable experience of having previously worked or volunteered with horses or in a horse welfare environment.
- BHS stage 3, NVQ3 or equivalent professional experience.
- A working knowledge of caring for a variety of field kept and stabled horses/ponies.
- Experience of handling and training a variety of different types of horses and ponies.
- Experience of starting and producing a variety of young horses.
- Knowledge of basic horse veterinary procedures, common horse ailments and injuries.
- Current full driving licence.
- The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross values.
Although not essential, it would be great if you also had:
- Qualification or similar experience in horse behaviour or animal training.
- Understanding of safeguarding issues.
- Practical application of behavioural science and learning theory when training horses.
- Preparing horses and ponies for rehoming.
How to apply
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on Sunday 26th April 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.
Blue Cross benefits
Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today. In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are. Our generous benefits package includes:
- Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support.
- Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family.
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution.
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers.
To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.
Standby Adoption Preparation Handler employer: Blue Cross For Pets
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross For Pets Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Standby Adoption Preparation Handler
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Blue Cross and the people who work there. Follow them on social media, engage with their posts, and show genuine interest in their mission. This will help you stand out as someone who truly cares about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to horse handling and welfare. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the job. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During the interview, let your love for animal welfare shine through. Share stories about your experiences with horses and how you've made a difference in their lives. This will help the interviewers see that you're not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely want to contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a simple gesture that can leave a lasting impression and shows that you’re enthusiastic about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Standby Adoption Preparation Handler
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your love for animal welfare shine through! We want to see your genuine enthusiasm for caring for horses and how your experience aligns with our mission.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the job description. We’re looking for specific equine experience, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your sentences are easy to read and get straight to the heart of what makes you a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our values there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross For Pets
✨Know Your Horses
Make sure you brush up on your equine knowledge before the interview. Familiarise yourself with different horse breeds, their behaviours, and common welfare issues. Being able to discuss specific examples from your experience will show your passion and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
As a Standby Adoption Preparation Handler, empathy is key. Prepare to share instances where you've demonstrated understanding and support for both horses and clients. This will highlight your emotional intelligence and ability to thrive in an emotionally charged environment.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Think of insightful questions to ask about the role, team dynamics, and Blue Cross's approach to animal welfare. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the organisation aligns with your values.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Collaboration is crucial in this role. Be ready to discuss how you've worked effectively in teams before, especially in high-pressure situations. Highlighting your ability to communicate and work alongside others will make you stand out as a team player.