The Adoptions Preparation Handler will be instrumental in streamlining our adoption services to maximise the number of horses we can help by 2026!

More about the role
As a skilled horse handler and trainer, you will manage and care for horses in our rehoming and temporary crisis care services, ensuring they meet welfare standards and are quickly prepared for new homes.

Each day, you'll handle and train a variety of horses and ponies, collaborating with the Rehabilitation, Trainer and Behaviour Advisor (RTBA) and the Adoptions Preparation Lead. This includes starting and training unhandled horses and ponies.

You'll work as part of a team to optimize training and provide excellent customer service, promoting Blue Cross horses and ponies to maximize rehoming opportunities. You'll also collaborate with centre-based volunteers and the Foster Yard Coordinator regarding potential foster horses.

As the public face of Blue Cross, you'll prioritise customer service in every interaction. Your role is key in helping us achieve our mission and support more pets and horses.

Our Rolleston rehoming centre provides onsite accommodation for pets in our care 24/7. Overnight shifts are usually undertaken by team members who live on-site. Occasionally, you will be expected to carry out night checks or stay in on-site accommodation overnight when the resident team members are either not working or away for a period of time. These duties are organised on a local rota and shared between all team members.

This is a part-time role working 22.5 hours over three days on a rota which includes weekends and bank holidays.

For a more detailed look at the role and its requirements, please see the linked job description.

About you
You are intuitive with horses, empathetic, and welfare-focused, with experience in a similar environment. Skilled at assessing horse needs, recognising behavioural signs, and knowledgeable about medications like hibiscrub and worming treatments, you understand the importance of quickly finding new homes for horses.

Self-motivated and forward-thinking, you bring creative, collaborative, and pragmatic solutions for horse care. You quickly assimilate and accurately record information while effectively communicating with clients and stakeholders.

In an emotionally charged environment, your resilience and emotional intelligence shine, showing empathy and support for clients and colleagues alike.

Knowledge, skills, and experience

• Demonstrable experience of having previously worked or volunteered with horses or in a horse welfare environment.
• BHS stage 3, NVQ3 or equivalent professional experience
• A working knowledge of caring for a variety of field-kept and stabled horses/ponies.
• Experience in handling and training a variety of different types of horses and ponies.
• Experience in starting and producing a variety of young horses.
• Knowledge of basic horse veterinary procedures, common horse ailments and injuries.
• Current full driving licence.
• The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross values

Although not essential, it would be great if you also had:

• Qualification or similar experience in horse behaviour or animal training.
• Understanding of safeguarding issues.
• Practical application behavioural science and learning theory when training horses.
• Preparing horses and ponies for rehoming.