Rehoming Team Member in Hapton

Horse Rehoming Team Member (Non-riding post)

Hapton, South of Norwich

Salary range: £20,800.00 (age 18-20) to £25,396.40 (age 21 and over)

Are you seeking a fulfilling and rewarding career in equine care? If so, let us show you what’s possible.

Redwings is one of the largest horse welfare charities in the UK, where everything we do is for the love of the horse. We provide and promote the welfare, care and protection of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. Working for us means you can make a real difference in the lives of the horses in our care while being part of a supportive and progressive workplace.

If you have experience in training horses, enjoy engaging with the general public and want to be part of the team that assists with the matching of our equines to potential guardians, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

What can we offer you?

• A busy, supportive, team-working environment
• Ongoing development through training and mentoring with opportunities for progression
• Wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme
• Premium pay rates on Sundays and Bank Holidays

About the role

This role focuses on providing exceptional care for our resident equines and ensuring high welfare standards are met. This is a non-ridden role within the Rehoming department.

Key Responsibilities

Equine Care:

• Ensure all horses have access to suitable water, feed, and shelter while maintaining hygiene standards.
• Mucking out of stables/shelters, cleaning and refilling water receptacles, and filling and weighing hay nets.
• Providing of feed and forage, whilst following instructions accurately.
• Muck clearance on paddocks and woodchips, checking and reporting any hazards.
• Conduct visual health checks, including for lameness, and report any ailments or needs to senior staff.
• Administer prescribed medication during your rounds.
• Catch and hold horses for the farrier and/or veterinary purposes, some of which may be nervous.
• Groom, trim and bath horses.
• Apply, fit and check rugs.
• Assist with or drive horseboxes/trailers for equine transport, subject to training.
• Operate tractors, paddock sweepers and other implements, subject to training.
• General use of tack and equine handling equipment.

Communication and Teamwork:

• Understand the importance of clear and effective communication and keen observation skills.
• Liaise regularly with your line manager.
• Be a team player.

Backing, Training and Schooling:

• To train all sizes of equines, in accordance with Redwings training policies.
• To carry out all equine groundwork training in accordance with Redwings training policies.
• To retrain equines with unwanted behaviours, in accordance with Redwings training policies.
• To lead out in hand with accompanying member of staff riding / leading.
• To keep all tack and equipment safe and clean.
• To keep accurate records of equine training programmes.
• To assist with the matching of Redwings equines and potential guardians.
• To assist with delivering and collecting equines.
• Participate in demonstrations, external events and helping at other sites with rehoming equines.
• When appropriate undertake home checks.

Rehoming Ridden Trials:

• To supervise and evaluate riders (including children and/or adults at risk) during ridden trials ensuring that riders are seated safely and securely and providing reassurance to less experienced riders.
• Communicate and interact effectively with potential guardians including children and parents or caregivers.

Visitor Centre (if applicable):

• Interact with visitors in a welcoming, informative, and professional manner.
• Be knowledgeable about the Redwings Adoption Scheme and communicate this to visitors.

Person specification

Essential criteria

1. A competent handler of horses with proven abilities.
2. Previous experience of training and caring for horses in a work-based environment. Private based experience with own horses may also be considered at the discretion of the Rehoming Manager.
3. Awareness of the importance to train in accordance with the individual horse’s needs and speed of learning and possess knowledge on a wide range of training methods.
4. Ability to prioritise and make intelligent decisions.
5. Strong communication skills, both written and oral.
6. Keen observation skills with a high level of attention to detail.
7. Sound IT skills.
8. Outstanding team player with a confident, calm and patient manner.
9. Ability to deal with members of the public in a helpful and professional manner.
10. Flexible approach to tasks and workload.
11. A passion for equine welfare.
12. A full, manual driving licence.

Desirable criteria

1. Formal qualifications in equine support.
2. Previous experience of working with equines in Backing and Training.
3. Previous experience of working in a Backing and Training Yard.
4. Previous experience of assessing horses and their training deficits.

This post is subject to safer recruitment processes to ensure effective safeguarding of all those who come in to contact with our charity. The successful applicant will be required to have a DBS check in place before employment is confirmed.

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive enough suitable applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible using the Apply Now link below.