Come and work with our Shire Horses – Drummer, Ribble, Rocket and Thunder
At Daniel Thwaites, horses have been part of our team since we were founded in 1807. Originally our trusted shire horses were tasked with delivering our award-winning beer to our pubs around Blackburn. Having been replaced in the 1920’s by steam and mechanisation, the tradition returned in 1960 when our Thwaites Shire Horses were reintroduced to deliver beer to our local landlords up until early 2000, in 1985 our horses were awarded the Freedom of Blackburn after 25 years of service to the community.
Our horses are still an important part of our story today. They live at our Headquarters in Mellor by our brewery and are cared for by our own in-house team. We now have an incredibly rare opportunity for somebody to join our team, these roles don’t come up often. We will consider applications from those with experience, and equally those who have a passion and might want to embark on an apprenticeship with us.
Your day to day
1. To carry out stable management duties to ensure that the horses are fit and healthy and well presented at all times.
2. To provide each individual horse with one to one care in order to manage health and training programmes.
3. To assess each horses dietary and nutritional needs and implement an appropriate feeding programme to sustain health and fitness.
4. Training the horses and developing their skills to ensure that they act in a controlled and safe manner at all times.
5. To plan a fitness program tailored to each individual horses needs to ensure that all horses are capable of carrying out their duties.
6. To ensure good standards of house keeping, hygiene and discipline are maintained at all times.
7. To provide first stage veterinary care in order to promote and sustain horses health and prevent deterioration and to continue with as required.
8. Producing the horses and turning them out to the highest standard whilst attending events
9. To travel horses in a safe manner to each destination complying with all Horse Transport, Road Transport and Working Time Directive legislation.
10. To ensure that all appropriate documentation is completed and carried at all times.
11. To ensure that all horse drawn vehicles are kept in pristine condition and are serviced and assessed for damage or repair needs regularly.
12. To ensure that all harness and accoutrements are kept well presented and assessed for damage or repair needs regularly.
13. Attend regular PR events with horses, which could inlcude weekend and evening work
14. To represent Daniel Thwaites whilst on customer's premises
This role will include some manual handling activities, i.e lifting bales of hay, shavings and bags of feed, handling Shire Horses along with handling their harnesses and moving horse drawn vehicles.
Who are we looking for?
15. You’ll have a real passion for horses
16. Either experience of working with or keeping horses is essential
17. An understanding of how to care for a horse and all that comes with that
18. Able to work independently and as a team.
19. Outgoing and confident as you’ll be out and about and talking to our customers and teams.
20. Flexible with working days / hours and overnight stays.
21. An understanding of social media would be advantageous.
22. A full driving licence is essential
In return, we are offering a rewarding role along with;
23. A rare and exciting role working with our 4 Shire horses
24. Wagestream - ability to access up to 40% of your wages as you earn them each week
25. 33 days annual leave
26. Health cash plan and Employee Assistance Programme
27. Access to hundres of high street discounts
28. Discounted accommodation, food and drink in our beautiful properties across the country
29. Free car parking
30. Pension & Life assurance
31. Long service awards including free meals and free stays with your friends and family