Adoptions Preparation Rider

Adoptions Preparation Rider

Final date to receive applications: 18 January 2026

Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Burford

Reporting To: Jess Hall

Compensation: £23,993 / year

Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £23,993 per annum

Location: Burford rehoming centre, OX18 4PF

Closing date: Sunday 18th January 2026

Interview dates: 27th & 29th January 2026

We’re recruiting an Adoptions Preparation Rider to join our team at our Burford rehoming centre
. Are you a skilled horse handler, rider, and trainer? If you’re passionate about equine care and ready to take on a rewarding challenge, we’d love to hear from you!

As a skilled horse handler, rider, and trainer, the Adoptions Preparation Rider expertly manages horse cases within our on‑site care, including rehoming and crisis care. You’ll ensure high welfare standards and swiftly complete the assessment, training, and rehabilitation of horses preparing for new homes.

Each day, you’ll handle and train various horses and ponies, collaborating with the Rehabilitation Trainer and Behaviour Advisor (RTBA) and the Adoptions Preparation Lead. Horse riding only forms a small part of this varied role.

You’ll be part of a team focused on optimising training and delivering excellent customer service to showcase and promote Blue Cross horses and ponies, enhancing their rehoming chances.

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.

At our Burford rehoming centre, we provide 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 members of the team.

This is a full‑time role working 37.5 hours over five days from Sunday to Thursday each week.

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

You are intuitive with horses, empathetic, and focused on welfare, having worked in similar environments. You assess horses’ needs, recognise behavioural signs, and have knowledge of medications, general horse first aid and worming treatments. You understand that finding a new home quickly is the best welfare intervention.

As a confident and patient rider, you handle a variety of horses and ponies. Self‑motivated and forward‑thinking, you bring creative and pragmatic ideas to horse care. You quickly assimilate and accurately record information while engaging with clients and stakeholders. Your excellent communication and interpersonal skills make you approachable and effective.

Experienced in emotionally charged environments, you have resilience and “bounce back ability.” Your emotional intelligence, empathy, and support for clients and colleagues are key strengths.

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.
• Good communication skills.
• A working knowledge of caring for a variety of field‑kept and stabled horses/ponies.
• Experience of handling, riding and training a variety of different types of horses and ponies.
• Experience of starting, riding and producing a variety of 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.
• Previous experience in working in a customer‑focused environment and used to achieving a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Understanding of safeguarding issues.
• Practical application behavioural science and learning theory when training horses.
• Preparing horses and ponies for…