Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your horse, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your horse, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The tack room
Would you employ a live in groom with Asperger's?
ClippityCloppity · 19/01/2018 15:28
In a domestic setting rather than a competition yard.
Notreallyarsed · 19/01/2018 15:30
Why wouldn’t you? (It’s a criminal offence to discriminate because of a disability)
DustyMaiden · 19/01/2018 15:33
Everyone with Aspergers is different. My DS has Aspergers and is the most honest loyal person you should wish to meet.
Battleax · 19/01/2018 15:47
It might be better to expand OP.
At the moment you're in danger of sounding like an ungood person.
Emmageddon · 19/01/2018 15:48
Of course I would, if they had the necessary skills required for the job.
saladdays66 · 19/01/2018 15:53
A live-in groom? I assume that 'living in' is the problem?
What are you worried about? Does the person have the skills to do the job? Are you worried they might need extra care?
Will they be living with you in your house?
ClippityCloppity · 19/01/2018 15:53
Oh gosh, I didn't expect answers so quickly.
It is me waiting for dx of AS so I am not discriminating against anyone!
Yes Dusty, that's me too. Honest, loyal, diligent, reliable, totally dedicated to any and all animal under my care.
Yes, I'm a good groom, currently sole paid carer for two 17hh horses (no riding) while their owner resides at her business a few miles away.
I'm 45 years old, always been different, weird, eccentric. A few months ago refered for AS DX.
Always my dream to work with horses but never confident or forward enough. No education or training, all self learnt from books and fell into being paid (still can't quite believe it nearly three years later!) looking after these two by pure chance. Gone from a day here and there to two and three tiems a day 7 days a week. Now added another two morning duties at the same yard and wondering if I could fulfil my childhood dreams/adult fantasies.
Had several on loan/shared/ ad-hoc free help for rides over the years, owned my own pony for 12 years until she passed 5 years ago. Never confident enough to put myself foward but always ended up helping other owners out with themand more importantly 
their horses and ponies, being very happy.
I now have much more confidence after dealing with these two and seeing the massive changes in the neurotic WB due to my care and handling so I'm trying to plan the rest of my working life to suit me best. This is where I feel 'complete'.
Sadly not very good in conversing/interacting with people. Like a wary animal. I get better as I learn to trust someone but it takes time. Selective mutism means I can't converse at times but I'm better with direct questions and passing on information so can seem 'robotic?' a lot of the time.
Battleax · 19/01/2018 15:55
Oh thank god for that.
Don't even think about it. You don't have to disclose it if you don't want to.
ClippityCloppity · 19/01/2018 15:56
And by live in it couldn't be in the family abode with a family. A camp bed in the barn will do me although a self contained little home unit would be more practical and help me feel secure.
ClippityCloppity · 19/01/2018 15:58
Wow! More answers saying yes!
I have more hope now, thank you so much everyone.
FauxFox · 19/01/2018 15:59
I'm sure loads of people would be delighted to have you! And it sounds like you would get a fabulous reference from the owner of the horses you are currently looking after which will help a lot.
I'd imagine your reliability and ability/experience with horses would be far more important in these roles than being able to chat and socialise.
Good Luck! I hope you get to live your dream 
BattleCuntGalactica · 19/01/2018 16:01
Okay so there's really no reason for you not to be employed as long as you can do the job, and frankly you sound incredibly well grounded and dedicated, so I wouldn't worry about rejection there.
Notreallyarsed · 19/01/2018 16:01
Good luck finding your dream job 
you’re under no obligation to disclose dx if you don’t want to, but can if you feel it’s right.
Emmageddon · 19/01/2018 16:02
Do you have a job in mind? Make some enquiries about the accommodation that is supplied, hopefully it will be a self-contained unit for you. Good luck. I hope you get to live your dream.
elliejjtiny · 19/01/2018 16:03
I would employ you if I needed a live in groom. My dh and ds1 have aspergers syndrome and dh had a job that was live in before he met me.
Vitalogy · 19/01/2018 16:06
that's me too. Honest, loyal, diligent, reliable, totally dedicated to any and all animal under my care. They'll be lucky to have you OP. Best wishes.
ClippityCloppity · 19/01/2018 16:17
Thank you so, so much everyone. My heart is singing.
Only vague dreams at the moment but current owner toying with retiring to France late this year or next and much as she would love me to go with her it is too far out of my comfort zone to move abroad.
It will break my heart to move on from these two wonderful boys that have given me so much but sadly I have learned that time heals and each and every 'new' one fills my heart afresh.
Again, thank you for your lovely words 
Unicornberry · 19/01/2018 17:38
A groom with Asperger's wouldn't bother me in the slightest! All I worry about is if the groom is good at their job, knowledgable and kind to my horses.
wizzywig · 19/01/2018 17:40
Absolutely 100 and a zillion%. The ones i know are honest, straightforward, diligent.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.