| career
paths |
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| Job
Descriptions |
|
| APPRENTICE
JOCKEY |
|
| Duties
& Tasks: |
|
| Apprentice
jockey’s duties are divided loosely into three categories;
stable duties, riding duties and apprentice school. Stable duties
include cleaning the stable, feeding, grooming and caring for
horses. Riding duties include learning to ride correctly and
how to handle horses. When an apprentice is considered competent
they are able to ride at trial meetings. After approximately
12 months they become a licensed apprentice, which means they
can ride at race meetings. Stable duties lessen as riding duties
increase. Attendance at apprentice school is compulsory as this
is where an apprentice learns the rules of racing and the judicial
system, horse anatomy, race day procedures, race riding strategies
and personal development skills. |
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| BLOOD
STOCK AGENT |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Blood
Stock Agents market and sell horse on the domestic and international
market. They must have strong networking skills, as liaising
closely with both buyers and sellers is an important aspect
of the job. Blood Stock agents must have an excellent knowledge
of the ‘confirmation’ of horses e.g. assess horses
for bodywork and athleticism. They must know about pricing and
keep up to date with market changes.. |
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| COMMUNITY
COACH (JUNIOR) |
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| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| A
junior coach teaches beginners how to ride a horse (often within
a Pony Club environment). They can teach up to a ‘C’
certificate level. They may be involved in leading small groups
to trek in controlled surroundings e.g. paddock with fences
and boundaries. Junior coaches may help supervise treks over
more difficult terrain. |
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| EQUINE
FEED SPECIALIST/NUTRITIONIST |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Equine
Feed Specialists are experts in horse nutrition and understand
the requirements of growing, performing and breeding adult and
aged horses in various disciplines e.g. racing, breeding, sport
horse. They prepare diets and feeding regimes for studs, stables
and breeding farms. Computer programmes are used to assist in
this process, so computer literacy is important. They must know
about the specifications of various raw materials and different
types of horses. Equine Feed Specialist’s liaise with
Vets and stud or stable staff. Some Feed Specialists are also
involved in the selling and marketing of feed products. |
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| EQUINE
AIR FREIGHTING |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Equine
Air Freighters organise the logistics of transporting horses
between countries. A large amount of their time is spent organising
and co-ordinating parties involved in sending, transporting
and receiving the horse e.g.government agencies i.e. customs
and quarantine, transport companies and airlines. They must
have excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability
to use computers e.g. e-mail. Attention to detail, completing
paperwork, meeting deadlines and an ability to make decisions
and work under pressure are all requirements of this job. Equine
Air Freighters must also have an excellent knowledge of different
horse breeds and ability to handle horses. |
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| FARRIER
TRAINEE |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Farrier
Trainees work along side a qualified Farrier assisting them
to inspect, trim and shape the hooves of horses for balance.
They also learn how to make and fit horseshoes. Trainees learn
about horse behaviour, hoof infections, metals, shaping and
forging tools, health and safety and business practice. Technique
is important as a Farrier and the work is physically hard and
heavy. Farriers spend a lot of time bending over, so a strong
back is required. |
| ----------------------------------------------------- |
| FARRIER/MASTER
FARRIER |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Farriers
inspect, trim and shape the hooves of horses for balance. They
also make and fit horseshoes. Farriers are knowledgeable about
horse behaviour, hoof infections, metals, shaping and forging
tools, health and safety and business practice. Farriers have
to communicate with a wide variety of people, especially veterinary
surgeons. The work is physically hard and heavy and requires
a strong back. |
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| FLOAT
DRIVER |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Float
drivers operate horse transport vehicles. They must be experienced
heavy transport drivers and know how to handle and care for
horses. Float drivers have to meet time deadlines, and keep
transportation records. |
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| GRADE
1 COACH (INTERMEDIATE) |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| An
Intermediate Coach teaches beginners how to ride a horse and
more advanced riders up to a novice competition standard (often
within a Pony Club or riding school environment). They can teach
up to a ‘B’ certificate level. They may be involved
in leading and supervising small trekking groups. |
| ----------------------------------------------------- |
| GRADE
2 COACH |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| A
Grade 2 coach works with horses and riders to prepare them for
competition. They work closely with riders to set development
and competition goals. They also may train horses and riders
in various specialist areas e.g. dressage and jumping. They
also provide an advisory role to riders on such topics as feeding,
stabling, horse exercise and health. |
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| HARNESS
TRAINEE DRIVER |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| A
harness driver drives a horse from a sulky (a light cart), which
is towed behind the horse in harness races. They are involved
in the care, exercising, training, and grooming of horses. They
also clean stables and help take care of racing harnesses. |
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| HARNESS
DRIVER |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Harness
Drivers are responsible for racing horses at race meetings,
trial meetings and for track work. They are involved in the
exercising, training, feeding, grooming and transportation of
horses. They also help break in horses use and care of racing
harnesses. They discuss the performance of horses and tactics
with trainers and owners. |
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| HOLISTIC
HEALTH SPECIALIST |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Equine
Holistic Health Specialists take a ‘whole horse’
approach to health and rehabilitation. They make physical examinations
of horses and use alternative treatments such as acupuncture,
chiropractic exercise treatment, ortho-bionomy, saddle fitting
and hoof balance. Most Holistic Health Specialists are practising
Vets. They must work closely with clients and horses. |
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| HORSE
TREK GUIDE |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Horse
Trek Guides are involved with horses and learning horse mastery.
There are different areas involved including tour guiding, eco
tourism and interpretation. In this job the aim is to give clients
a good experience of seeing New Zealand on horseback. Opportunities
exist to move into other areas such as stud farm work, world-wide
travel and customer service. |
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| JOCKEY |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Jockey’s
are responsible for racing horses at race meetings, trial meetings
and for track work. They are involved in the exercising, training,
feeding, grooming and transportation of horses. They also clean
stables and equipment. They discuss the performance of horses
with trainers and owners. |
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| KENNEL
HAND |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
A
typical day for a Greyhound Kennel Hand might include cleaning
the kennels to ensure the dogs are comfortable, feeding and
watering the dogs and exercising them. The exercise that a
racing greyhound might receive can include walking (a lot
of walking is done and some bigger kennels might have a walking
machine), ‘galloping’ the dogs (having the dog
run at close to top speed for a short distance) and swimming.
|
|
| Race
days are usually very busy with the dogs needing to be at the
race track two hours before the first race to complete the race
day kennelling procedure. Some kennels can race any where between
1 and 6 times per week at various tracks throughout New Zealand,
so there can be a lot of travelling involved. There are trainers
that might have 60-100 dogs racing at a meeting, but on average
trainers tend to line up between 4 and 20 dogs at a meeting.
A greyhound trainer needs good kennel hands to assist them with
all the aspects of greyhound racing, particularly if they operate
a large racing kennel. |
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| PROFESSIONAL
FLYING GROOM |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Professional
Flying Grooms escort horses during international flights to
ensure their well being and health. They must have an excellent
knowledge of and affinity with horses, be physically strong
and observant of changes in animal mood and temperament. Flying
Grooms are required to fill in flight reports and administer
drugs if a horse becomes unwell or stressed. The must have basic
veterinary and horse ‘first aid’ skills. |
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| RACE
COURSE ASSISTANT |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Race
Course Assistants are responsible for the day-to-day maintenance
of race courses e.g. maintaining and erecting hurdles, pest
and disease control, and turf management. They are required
to drive tractors and operate other machinery involved in maintenance
duties. Race Course Assistants are also involved in handling
and caring for horses. Race Course Assistants must ensure the
health and safety of others and themselves. They may also be
involved in recording keeping and require computing skills. |
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| RACE
COURSE MANAGER |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Race
course managers oversee the operations of race courses. They
are responsible for record keeping and report writing, supervising
track maintenance and planning and organising new developments.
They also recruit, select and manage staff and are responsible
for budgeting, financial planning, and purchasing capital equipment.
Race Course managers must supervise track maintenance and turf
management. They are also responsible for meeting OSH requirements. |
| ----------------------------------------------------- |
| SPORT
HORSE GROOM |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Sport
horse grooms are responsible for caring for horses in a competitive
stable. They keep the stable and the stable yard clean and are
involved in grooming, feeding, travelling, lunging and exercising
horses. Sport horse grooms help turnout (prepare) horses for
competition e.g. plaiting, washing and warm up riding. General
skills are required including farm management, using and maintaining
machinery and record keeping. The work can be demanding and
the hours can be long. |
| ----------------------------------------------------- |
| STABLE
GROOM |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Stable
Grooms are responsible for caring for horses in a racing stable.
They keep the stable and the stable yard clean and are involved
in racehorse care, preparing horses for races, travelling horses,
and equine health. General skills are required including farm
management, using and maintaining machinery and record keeping.
The work can be demanding and the hours can be long. |
| ----------------------------------------------------- |
| STABLE
FOREMAN |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Stable
Foremen supervise and train stable staff and carry out trainers
or managers instructions. They are involved in overseeing the
feeding and health of horses and are responsible for reporting
any issues to stable manager or owners. They may be involved
in ordering supplies, administration tasks, hiring seasonal
staff, and liaising with equine health or other specialists. |
| ----------------------------------------------------- |
| STABLE
MANAGER |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
After
some years of experience as a Stable Hand/Groom one can rise
to the position of Stable Manager in either the Racing, Breeding
or Equestrian Sectors. A Stable Manager is responsible for
the day to day running of the stable.The Stable Manager organises
the daily activities, checks on the feed supplies, arranges
for the vet or farrier to call; and supervises the Stable
Hands/Grooms with their daily routines.A Stable Manager needs
to be a good planner and communicator, enjoy working with
others and seeing that the horses in the stable receive the
correct care and attention.
|
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| STUD
GROOM |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Stud
Grooms are responsible for caring for horses at a stud. They
keep the stable and the stable yard clean and are involved in
broodmare and foal care, preparing horse for sale, weaning,
stallion management and breeding, and equine health. General
skills are required including farm management, using and maintaining
machinery and record keeping. The work can be demanding and
the hours can be long. |
| ----------------------------------------------------- |
| STUD
FOREMAN |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Stud
Foreman are responsible for supervising stud grooms, overseeing
the daily routine of the stable, oversight of the breeding programme,
training of staff, care of stallions and upkeep of breeding
records. |
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| STUD
MANAGER |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Stud
Managers are responsible for the management of the breeding
programme and business of a stud. They are responsible for setting
and meeting seasonal breeding and sales goals, recruitment and
performance of staff, and business administration. |
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| TRACKWORK
RIDER |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Is
a skilled person who provides a service to trainers by exercising
and training horses at a race course or training centre. The
rider must be able to judge pacework and accurately report to
the trainer on the horse's performance. This position sometimes
forms part of a stable grooms job description, or a self employed
person may specialise in track work riding and be paid on a
per horse basis. The position normally involves up to 6 mornings
per week. As this is usually an early morning job it is possible
for the trackwork rider to have other employment. |
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| TRAINERS |
|
| Duties
and Tasks: |
|
| Trainers
are responsible for breaking in young horses, developing and
overseeing the training plans for horses. They are also involved
in setting and meeting goals e.g. business and racing plans.
Trainers oversee the stable routine, horse health and training
of jockeys or harness drivers and stable grooms. They work closely
with horse owners. Trainers are also responsible for business
administration e.g. submissions/race entries, pay and tax and
working within the rules of racing. |
