Army - Groom and Veterinary Nursing Support

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 357220**Salary**:

- £27,160- A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%**Job grade**:

- Industrial- SZ4**Contract type**:

- Fixed term**Length of employment**:

- 1 Aug 24 - 30 Jun 25. This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a Groom/Veterinary Nurse in the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Your responsibilities will be as described in this job advert. The reason why you are appointed for a fixed period is due to the**Business area**:

- MOD - Army - Combermere Barracks Windsor**Type of role**:

- Operational Delivery
- Veterinary Services**Working pattern**:

- Full-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 1Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- Combermere Barracks, Windsor, SL4 3DN Berkshire UKAbout the job

**Job summary**:
The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army.

Headquarters London District are the main headquarters for British Army units within the M25 corridor of London and Windsor. It is responsible for all Regular units, Army Reserve units and Cadet Attachments. Headquarters London District is also responsible for leading and delivering London's ceremonial events. These include State Visits, Trooping the Colour and Beating of the Retreat at Horse Guards.

This is a fantastic opportunity to care for and maintain the horses that deliver important, and internationally renowned, state ceremonial operations in central London and across the country In this exciting role, you will help to promote national interests by ensuring the horses of the Household Cavalry Mounted Unit are well looked after and presentable at key public events such as the King’s Birthday Parade, whilst also ready to support unexpected resilience operations when needed.

We are committed to providing quality care for our horses and are looking for individuals who enjoy working as part of a dedicated team to deliver the essential maintenance the horses require. The work is dynamic and thoroughly rewarding and will give you the chance to use your valuable equestrian and veterinary nursing skills to support some of the UK’s most important strategic objectives

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

**Job description**:
Successful applicants will be responsible for grooming, handling, feeding, and exercising the Military Working Horses. You must be passionate about making sure they receive the appropriate level of care and attention, and ensure they are presentable when needed for important state ceremonial duties.

As a Registered Veterinary Nurse, you will also work closely with the vet and dentist, triaging injuries and illnesses and ensuring they are recorded appropriately. You will also oversee basic daily treatments, including the administration of medication and physiotherapy exercises, and help to sedate the horses in order to shoe and clip them.

You will regularly get to exercise and school the horses, which will include roadwork, canter work, lunging, and supporting rehabilitative programmes. You will also help to maintain the cleanliness of the stables and stable areas, ensuring Health and Safety compliance and pleasant living conditions for the horses.

Given the dynamic and flexible requirements of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, you will need to work on your own initiative with mínimal supervision, whilst occasionally needing to meet tight deadlines as part of a committed team. There is also an opportunity to teach basic veterinary lectures to the training wing and to the HCMR band personnel.

Does this challenge sound of interest?

**Person specification**:
To sustain the high-quality standard of care we expect for our horses, **it is essential** that our grooms:

- Have completed Level 2 BHS in Riding and Grooming, or an equivalent qualification (e.g. a level 2 Equine Animal Care and Welfare Apprenticeship).
- Are a Registered Veterinary Nurse with 1-2 years’ relevant experience preferred.
- Have recent and relevant experience in horse grooming, with a proven ability to ride horses of different temperaments and undertake physically demanding work.
- Have a proven ability to present horses to a high standard, including trimming, clipping, and mane and tail pulling.
- Are competent to undertake a range of stable duties.
- Are committed to the welfare of horses.

Given the horses’ need for continuous care, you will be required to work a four-week shift pattern involving some weekends and public holidays and might be needed to work overtime when unforeseen situations arise.