Horse Yard Team Leader 

Forfar, Scotland 

Full-time permanent contract (subject to a 3-month probationary period) 

40hrs per week (including alternate weekend working), 8am – 4.30pm  

Salary range: £25,251.20 rising to £25,875.20 upon successful completion of the probationary period. Please note that these salary figures will be revised from 1st April 2025. 

Do you have experience of caring for equines? If the answer is yes, please read on. 

Redwings is one of the largest horse welfare charities in the UK, where everything we do is for the love of the horse. Working for us means you can make a real difference in the lives of the horses in our care while being part of a supportive and progressive workplace. 

If you are a passionate and motivational team leader ready to take on a new challenge, then this role could be for you!  

What can we offer you?

• A busy, supportive, team-working environment
• Ongoing development through training and mentoring with opportunities for progression
• Wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme
• Premium pay rates on Sundays and Bank Holidays

About the role 

To work under the specific supervision of the Centre Manager or Deputy Manager, while motivating, instructing and line managing team members as assigned to do so by the Manager. Ensuring the centre provides a high standard of care of the equines.  

To be responsible for the day to day running of assigned tasks and to lead the team as required, in a professional and proactive manner. 

Key Responsibilities 

• To provide high quality care that ensures all equines have access to suitable water, feed and shelter and to ensure that hygiene is maintained. 
• To ensure stables/shelters are mucked out thoroughly, water receptacles are clean and refilled, haynets filled and weighed.  
• To ensure instructions regarding the feeding of equines is followed stringently. 
• To give a visual health check to the equines including lameness. 
• To manage on a rota basis Yard Team Members within your area. 
• To oversee the task allocation of the yard in the absence of the manager and ensure all daily tasks are carried out. 
• To assist with general administration as required. 
• To count and cross check equines in fields/at locations using database records and where appropriate supervise the counting and related record keeping. 
• To inform senior staff of equine ailments and needs. 
• To give prescribed medication to some of the equines under your care. 
• To ensure paddocks are checked for hazards and clean. 
• To catch and hold nervous horses for the farrier and /or veterinary purposes. 
• To groom, trim and bath equines, with the application and checking of rugs. 
• To transport equines safely – as an assistant and/or driver of horsebox/trailer – subject to training. 
• General use of tack and equine handling equipment. 
• To understand the importance of effective communication, observation and unified team work and liaise regularly with your line manager. 

Visitor Centre: 

• To ensure that the visitor experience at Redwings Mountains is always positive. 
• To take visitors on tour of the site. 
• To interact in a welcoming, informative and professional manner with visitors. 
• To be knowledgeable on the Redwings Adoption Scheme and to be able to relay this to visitors.

Person Specification 

Essential Criteria 

1. Sound knowledge and experience in equine or animal care. 
2. Experience of handling equines with behavioural problems. 
3. Ability to prioritise and make intelligent decisions.  
4. Strong communication skills, both written and oral. 
5. Keen observation skills with a high level of attention to detail. 
6. Sound IT skills. 
7. Outstanding team player, with the ability to integrate into an established team. 
8. Flexible approach to tasks and workload. 
9. A passion for equine welfare. 
10. A full, manual driving licence. 

Desirable Criteria 

1. Formal qualifications in equine support. 
2. Working for a similar organisation specialising in equine care.