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- Tasks: Care for and train horses, preparing them for rehoming while ensuring their welfare.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a leading animal welfare charity dedicated to helping pets.
- Benefits: 38 days holiday, health support, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of horses and connect with fellow animal lovers.
- Qualifications: Experience with horses, strong communication skills, and a passion for animal welfare.
- Other info: Flexible part-time role with opportunities for growth and community involvement.
The predicted salary is between 19195 - 19195 £ per year.
Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services
Location: Burford
Compensation: £19,195 / year
Application Deadline: 26 February 2026
Contract: Permanent, 30 hours per week
Salary: £19,195 per annum (£23,993 FTE)
Location: Burford rehoming centre, OX18 4PF
Closing date: Thursday 26th February 2026
Interview date: 10th & 11th March 2026
Join our team at Blue Cross Burford rehoming centre as a 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 will 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.
At our Burford rehoming centre, we provide onsite accommodation for pets in our care 24/7. Overnight shifts are usually undertaken by team members who live on site. Occasionally, you will be expected to carry out night checks or stay in on site accommodation overnight when the resident team members are either not working or away for a period of time. These duties are organised on a local rota and shared between all members of the team. This is a part time role working 30 hours on a rota which includes weekends and bank holidays.
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 like hibiscrub and worming treatments, 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.
- 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.
- Excellent communication skills.
- 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.
How to apply
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on Thursday 26th February 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:
- Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
- 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
- Health cash plan
- Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
- Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support.
- Life assurance
- 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Recognition scheme
- Annual volunteer days
- 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.
Horse Adoptions Preparation Handler in Burford employer: Blue Cross UK
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Horse Adoptions Preparation Handler in Burford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Blue Cross and its values. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to horse handling and welfare. Think about your experiences and how they align with what Blue Cross is looking for.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During the interview, share stories about your experiences with horses and how you've made a difference in their lives. This will highlight your dedication to animal welfare.
✨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 nice touch and keeps you fresh in their minds!
We think you need these skills to ace Horse Adoptions Preparation Handler in Burford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your love for animal welfare shine through! Share your experiences with horses and how they’ve shaped your desire to work in this field. We want to see your enthusiasm for helping these animals find their forever homes.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Horse Adoptions Preparation Handler role. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the job description. We’re looking for specific examples of your horse handling and training experience, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit!
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 amazing benefits package there too!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross UK
✨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 health issues. Being able to discuss specific examples of your experience with horses will show your passion and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Training Skills
Prepare to talk about your hands-on experience in training and handling horses. Think of specific instances where you've successfully started or rehabilitated a horse. This will demonstrate your practical skills and understanding of horse welfare, which is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication
Since this role involves working closely with a team, be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated with others in previous positions. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve effectively interacted with clients and colleagues, especially in emotionally charged situations.
✨Align with Blue Cross Values
Research Blue Cross and its values thoroughly. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, particularly regarding animal welfare and customer service. Showing that you understand and embody these values will make you a strong candidate.