What skills does a groom need?

A groom needs 25 essential skills including livestock reproduction, young horses training, animal nutrition, training equipment for riding, animal welfare legislation. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace groom jobs?

The AI disruption score for groom is 13/100 (very low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Agriculture & EnvironmentAgricultural, forestry and fishery labourersISCO 9212

groom

Grooms provide practical daily horse care to ensure the horses health, welfare and safety. They take part in exercising horses, cleaning and maintaining the stables, buildings and territory.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (25)

livestock reproductionlivestock reproductionThe natural and artificial reproduction techniques, gestation periods and birthing for livestock.young horses trainingyoung horses trainingPrinciples and techiques of educating young horses important simple body control exercises.animal nutritionanimal nutritionAspects of how different animal species are fed and provided water. Different types of animal food, the quality criteria for animal food and methods to feed and give water to animals.training equipment for ridingtraining equipment for ridingTraining equipment used in different riding styles such as saddles, bits/curb straps, neck sweats, athletic boots, etc.animal welfare legislationanimal welfare legislationThe legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.equine dental diseasesequine dental diseasesPrevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases for horses.transportation vehicles for horsestransportation vehicles for horsesTypes of transportation vehicles for horses and their safe methods of using.breed-specific behaviour of horsesbreed-specific behaviour of horsesThe behaviour and specificities of different horse species.biologybiologyTissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.livestock specieslivestock speciesLivestock species and relevant genetics.operate agricultural machineryoperate agricultural machineryOperate motorised agricultural equipment including tractors, balers, sprayers, ploughs, mowers, combines, earthmoving equipment, trucks, and irrigation equipment.train horsestrain horsesHarness, dress and train horses as per the instructions provided. Take into account the age and breed of the horse and the preparation purposes.control animal movementcontrol animal movementDirect, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.control livestock diseasecontrol livestock diseaseControl the spread of disease and parasites in herds, by using vaccination and medication, and by separating sick animals.maintain farm equipmentmaintain farm equipmentUse oil, grease guns, and hand tools to lubricate, adjust, and make minor repairs to farm equipment.maintain the farmmaintain the farmMaintain farm facilities such as fences, water supplies, and outdoor buildings.provide nutrition to animalsprovide nutrition to animalsProvide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.'.keep task recordskeep task recordsOrganise and classify records of prepared reports and correspondence related to the performed work and progress records of tasks.breed stockbreed stockBreed and raise livestock such as cattle, poultry, and honeybees. Use recognised breeding practices to strive for continuous improvement in the livestock.clean stallsclean stallsClean stalls to remove all soiled bedding to prevent moisture and fumes from building up and to cut down on potential parasite problems.perform farm equipment hygieneperform farm equipment hygieneClean and sanitise equipment used in milking: milk storage tanks, collection cups, and udders of the animals. Ensure that procedures for the sanitary handling of milk are followed.transport horsestransport horsesTransport horses using safely special vehicles for horse transportation; lead horses to vehicles taking into account the safety of people and horses.maintain pasturesmaintain pasturesEnsure that animals on pastures or grazing lands have enough feed. Employ pasture-conservation measures such as grazing in rotation.assist animal birthassist animal birthAssist in animal births, and care for newborn livestock. Make sure the animal has a clean and quiet place where it can give birth. Have clean drying towels handy at hand and a bottle filled with iodin...teach young horsesteach young horsesSocialise young horses (cleaning, collaring, bridling, raising feet, etc.), taking into account the safety and welfare of the horse and teacher.

Optional (14)

project management principlesproject management principlesDifferent elements and phases of project management.safe horseback riding principlessafe horseback riding principlesSafe horseback riding and training principles.agritourismagritourismAspects of agritourism involving agriculturally based activities to bring visitors to a farm.prepare equid hoovesprepare equid hoovesTrim and dress horse hooves using the appropriate tools and methods. Comply with the agreed footcare plan.provide care for horsesprovide care for horsesProvide care for horses includes cleaning, housing, preparing horses and ponies for riding, fixating and leading horses, taking into account the safety regulations for horses and people and the specif...make farrier tools and suppliesmake farrier tools and suppliesWork sections of metal to produce farriery tools and horseshoes to required specifications.clean horse's legsclean horse's legsWash and brush the legs of a horse. Keep an antifungal treatment cream or spray on hand to take care of infections as soon as they arise.attach horseshoesattach horseshoesAttach the horseshoe safely, securely and in the correct position according to plan. Take all relevant information into account. Finish the hoof according to the specification, trot up the horse to co...advise horse owners on farriery requirementsadvise horse owners on farriery requirementsDiscuss and agree the farriery and hoof care requirements of the equine with the responsible person.assess requirement for horseshoesassess requirement for horseshoesDiscuss and agree with the owner on the horse’s shoeing requirements. Choose the most suitable type of shoe for the horse's foot size and condition, the type of activity and working conditions.assess equid footcare requirementsassess equid footcare requirementsInspect the horse's leg, foot and hoof while they are stationary as well as in motion to check for irregularities, interference, peculiarities in gait (how the horse walks) or abnormalities in size an...assess lameness in horsesassess lameness in horsesMonitor if the animal travels in a regular and sound manner on all four feet. Identify lameness and act accordingly and under veterinarian instructions.analyse animal locomotionanalyse animal locomotionAnalyse animal locomotion either by eye or using instrumentation for measuring body movements, body mechanics, and muscle activity.manage horse eventsmanage horse eventsPlan, arrange and manage different events such as races, auctions, horse shows etc, according to yard type, resources and the purpose of the event.