Grooms

Being a Groom

Grooms are primarily there to support the sNr Trainers, and report to them. Grooms are also allowed to train and should always be looking to improve their skills. Good grooms may also apply to become a Trainer. The primary tasks of the groom are as follows:

• To act as an ambassador for the stables welcoming visitors, and helping them
• Visiting the stalled ponies to check on their health and wellbeing
• To take a pony out to the pony bath for a full scrub and wash
• To train and process new ponies as and when you wish
• To appoint new grooms that have potential
• To help with any problem’s ponies are having, and escalate if you can’t fix it
• To support the Trainers and senior staff of sNr

Trainer Exam

Grooms may speak to a Senior Trainer to arrange to take an exam in order to qualify as an sNr Trainer. The exam mostly comprises of a theory test and some supervised action covering pony etiquette, Carting, Steeples, Whip circle, Slalom, Barrels and Mare Hearing and Mare Control. Most of what you will need is covered in this guide so you just need to practice it. Please note that knowledge about dressage is only required for Senior Trainers and above, but certainly knowledge of this is a benefit, as it gives you something different to teach the animals.
The position of Senior Trainer and above is usually offered on an invitational basis, after a member of staff has demonstrated their commitment and ability at sNr for some time. Some of the current senior staff here started as grooms.

Training Skills

As a pony trainer, you should always be looking to learn new skills to get the most out of your ponies and to stretch them and yourself. It also helps reduce the chance of the training becoming repetitive for you and the pony. In addition, it is important to provide guidance to inexperienced grooms to help them gain confidence and additional skills.