Equine apprenticeship

[Howdidthathappen1]

Hi. Just wondered if anyone or their child has completed an equine apprenticeship so I can check my expectations
Dd is currently doing level at a centre for people with ld that has horses and ponies. This was possibly our first mistake as the yard is not the centre of the business. Anyway this apprenticeship is living up to the cliche of cheap labour! Dd is literally doing the basic yard jobs and learning nothing. No riding opportunity, no show prep, literally yard hand.
She has a portfolio to complete from the college which she completes online by googling the answers. Being dyslexic she does struggle with academic stuff so she does fall behind a bit but then works to catch up.

I'm just not sure if I should be making a fuss on her behalf. She just turned 17 and lacks confidence to question anything and finding another placement to transfer to seems like it would be hard- they all seem to go by word of mouth and the horsey world is so small if we put feelers out it may get back to her current boss which will make it difficult.
Long term aim is to be a competition groom.
Advice gratefully received

Hi OP, I'm not sure how much help this will be to you as my experience is a few years out of date, but I used to livery at a very large yard which was also a riding school and BHS exam centre which always had several apprentices. The apprentices wanted to be grooms/instructors so for them their main objective from the apprenticeship was to pass their BHS stages and get their PTT/AI qualifications, not sure if that matches with what your DD is doing?

These apprentices did spend the majority of their time doing pretty hard grunt work, especially the lower level ones doing their stage 1 and 2, mucking out, yard sweeping etc. They got a couple of lessons a week aimed at passing the ridden part of their exams and occasionally some extra riding opportunities such as accompanying hacks or schooling the kid's ponies but this certainly wasn't guaranteed or routine. The ones doing their PTT and AI seemed to pretty much teach full time (basic kids lessons, hacks and tiny tots lead rein sessions so not exactly exciting teaching either, but good experience I guess!).

My opinion always was that they seemed to work very hard for not much reward as the apprenticeship wage was very low, although they did get cheap (very basic!) accommodation on site if they wanted it and a discount on livery for their own horse and lessons if they wanted to pay themselves. If it had been my DD/DS I would have far preferred to have them work as a 'normal' yard hand/groom where they would have at least been paid minimum wage (there was no particular difference so far as I can see between the regular grooms on the yard and the apprentices, if anything the apprentices worked harder and had more skills), then paid myself for the BHS exams and courses, I think it would have worked out about break even. But I guess that wasn't necessarily an option for all the students, if their parents couldn't afford the exam fees or if they needed to live away from home etc.

Your DD does seem to be getting a bit of a raw deal, what qualification is it she's studying for at college, and is it one that will actually help her get a job as a groom if that's what she wants? BHS stages do still seem to be the gold standard as far as employers are concerned, will her apprenticeship get her there? Would she consider living away from home as she could probably broaden her horizons and get a better opportunity that way (17 is young though!)? I think definitely worth exploring what other opportunities there might be, perhaps if you can give an indication of where you are in the country and what her interests are someone might have a good idea?

Thanks. We are in Essex.
I spoke with her nvq assessor today who agreed that although she will be able to get a level 2 she will be disadvantaged when applying for level 3 or a job as her experience is so limited to the very basics of horse care.
Essentially the opportunities at the placement were massively over sold. She works really hard. Doesnt mind the grunt work but wants to learn so she can progress. The focus of the business is the activities for the clients with ld the horses just form part of that rather than it being a working livery or competition yard.
She doesn't even ride regularly there. Thankfully shares a horse outside of work.

Give Wellington Riding a call or at least look at their website.
wellington-riding.co.uk/education/

Is she a brave rider? If so BRS or NRC could be an option? The rates of pay on racing yards is so much higher than a normal grooms wage generally too.

Thanks both. I think she's going to get her driving licence which will open up more opportunities as v few yards are on public transport routes!
We phoned Wellington as it looks just what she needs. They don't seem keen as she's already started the level 2 and you can't be funded for it twice goddam!
She wasn't initially keen to leave home to live in somewhere but her current experience has focussed her mind that's she quite willing to now !

PMd you OP. How far is your DD through her Level 2? Do s she know what sort of competition groom she wants to be? Could she complete the Level 2 where she is ( and get her driving licence etc) then do Level 3 on a competition yard? Competition grooms don’t always have to ride and they don’t need BHS stages. They do need to be efficient, obtain good horse care skills and be flexible about hours, travel etc.

Thank you notquiteruralbliss you message has focussed and give her hope things will work!
Fingers x she passes driving test in less than the 6 x it took her sister!!