I have a single honours Biology Degree with specialisation modules in Animal behaviour and captive/domesticated animal behaviour. Every module that was an option for me to choose was in someway related to animal care or behavioural understanding. I have not currently received any BHS or college equine specified qualifications but would be eager to undertake any BHS training throughout any role I worked in. I would love to have the opportunity to teach lessons with the skills I have currently.

Animal care and husbandry Animal behaviour Animal Nutrition Ground/garden work Vet Assistance

I have ridden since I was 7 years old and have undertook voluntary stable management pretty much since I started. I have good knowledge of general equine husbandry and with around 13 years experience I am very confident in Equine handling, grooming and feeding and cleaning duties. All of my experience is voluntary or paid lessons/ experiences but I am eager to enter into the professional world as I believe I have a very strong basis of confidence and knowledge in the field. I have also loaned a horse where I was also looking after two other horses belonging to the same owner, only riding the one I was loaning.

My work at the safari park puts me in a high pressure, fast paced environment where there are over 200 animals in my care each day. Dependant upon the round I am on that day I can be solely responsible for the whereabouts, health, bodily condition and monitoring of around 150 animals at one time. Due to my work I also have a very high standard for anima condition and their upkeep of environment, for example, the standard of beds, food/nutrition and their turn out areas outside.

I have ridden a variety of horses over my time around horses. I have ridden easy going horses that need encouragement in forwards movement, some younger horses that are in the process of learning more refined movements such as laterals. I was involved in ridding a horse that was in the process of recovering from unideal circumstances where they had had muscle loss and needed to rebuild strength. I have also ridden very highly trained horses that are more refined and sensitive to aids in dressage

Due to never being able to own my own horse my experience in competing is limited. I have competed in a handful of inhouse competitions within stables and was on the competition team in my universities Equestrian society. I have also been a clear jump judge on an inhouse day competition at Rheidol valley riding centre, a BHS approved riding, livery and competing stables. I also did cleaning duties, tacking and groom duties on this competition day.