At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for horses and dogs, assist with household duties, and support daily routines.
- Company: Join a beautiful 100-acre rural farm focused on rewilding and animal care.
- Benefits: Enjoy free onsite accommodation and a peaceful rural lifestyle.
- Why this job: Perfect for animal lovers seeking hands-on experience in nature with long-term prospects.
- Qualifications: Experience with animals is preferred, but no formal qualifications are required.
- Other info: Live-in position ideal for someone who enjoys quiet living without pets or dependents.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Farm Hand (Live-In)
Location: Somerset
Salary: £30,000 pa plus free onsite accommodation.
We are looking for a reliable, caring, and hands-on farm hand with experience around horses and dogs to assist in the daily care of our client\’s animals and home. This is a live-in position on a beautiful 100-acre rural farm, ideal for someone who genuinely enjoys the outdoors and takes pride in looking after animals and their environment.
This is a permanent position, on a self-employed basis, with long-term prospects.
You will work closely with our client, who manages the rewilding project and animal care, and will receive guidance and instructions from them. The right person must be comfortable working independently when the owner is away, acting responsibly and with initiative.
Key Responsibilities
Animal Care (primary focus):
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Support daily routines for 6 horses (including feeding, grooming, mucking out)
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2 large horses (16hh), aged 15 and 25
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2 miniature Shetland ponies
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2 rescue Dartmoor ponies (pet status)
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Assist with basic dog care as required
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Monitor animal wellbeing, report any concerns
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Carry out basic yard and field duties (topping up water, checking fences, etc.)
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Administer simple treatments or medications as directed (when the owner is away)
Household Support (part-time):
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General domestic duties including cleaning, laundry, and ironing
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Occasional help with food preparation or table setting (no daily cooking required)
Ideal Candidate Profile
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Experience with horses and dogs (non-professional backgrounds welcome)
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Observant, compassionate, and calm around animals
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Comfortable with practical, outdoor work in all seasons
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Trustworthy and capable of taking responsibility in the owners\’ absence
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Self-motivated with a pitch-in attitude
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Able to follow instructions and communicate clearly
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Open to learning; no formal qualifications required
Please note:
We are not seeking someone from a high-level professional equestrian or stud background, as this position is more relaxed and hands-on with a smaller number of animals. There is no riding involved.
About the Property
The farm includes:
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100 acres of countryside, with 60 acres managed as a rewilding and grazing project
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40 acres let to two local farmers
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A mix of rough pasture and old stone farm buildings (planning in place for future development)
- An ongoing, nature-focused long-term project
Accommodation
A modern mobile home is provided free of charge:
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Double glazed
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Central heating
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Fully equipped with kitchen and bathroom
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WiFi included
Additional Information
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Ideally suited to a single person without pets or dependents
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Live-in position, must be comfortable with quiet, rural living
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Ongoing training and support provided
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Occasional longer periods of responsibility when owners are abroad
If you are someone who enjoys animals, nature, and a peaceful rural lifestyleand are happy to help in a variety of practical wayswe would love to hear from you. Please apply now or give us a call on 01258 458 695.
Farmhand employer: Swann Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Swann Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Farmhand
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of the animals mentioned in the job description. Understanding the care routines for horses and dogs will show your genuine interest and readiness to take on the responsibilities.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any hands-on experience you have with animals, even if it's informal. Sharing stories about your time spent caring for pets or working outdoors can help demonstrate your suitability for this relaxed, practical role.
✨Tip Number 3
Emphasise your ability to work independently and take initiative. Since the role involves periods when the owner is away, showcasing examples of how you've successfully managed tasks on your own will be beneficial.
✨Tip Number 4
Express your passion for rural living and nature-focused projects. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys the outdoors, so sharing your enthusiasm for a peaceful lifestyle can make you stand out as a candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Farmhand
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience with animals, particularly horses and dogs. Include specific examples of your responsibilities and achievements in previous roles that demonstrate your hands-on approach and ability to work independently.
Write a Personal Cover Letter: Craft a cover letter that reflects your passion for animal care and the outdoors. Mention why you are interested in this particular position and how your values align with the farm's rewilding project. Be genuine and express your enthusiasm for the role.
Showcase Your Soft Skills: In your application, emphasise your soft skills such as being observant, compassionate, and trustworthy. Provide examples of situations where you've demonstrated these qualities, especially in relation to animal care or working in a team.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A well-presented application shows attention to detail and professionalism, which is important for a role that involves responsibility and care.
How to prepare for a job interview at Swann Recruitment
✨Show Your Passion for Animals
Make sure to express your genuine love for animals during the interview. Share any personal experiences you have with horses and dogs, as this will demonstrate your suitability for the role and your understanding of their needs.
✨Highlight Your Practical Skills
Discuss any hands-on experience you have with animal care or outdoor work. Be specific about tasks you've performed, such as grooming, feeding, or mucking out, to show that you're comfortable with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Emphasise Your Independence
Since the role requires working independently at times, be prepared to talk about situations where you've successfully taken initiative. This could include managing tasks without supervision or making decisions in the absence of a leader.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few questions to ask the interviewer about the farm, the animals, or the rewilding project. This shows your interest in the position and helps you understand more about the environment you'll be working in.