Before outlining the duties of the groom it is appropriate to suggest the qualities which an employer would look for when hiring him. The groom is understood to have a knowledge of the horse and how to care for him. He is referred to as a groom as opposed to a trainee/ apprentice/working pupil, and should be regarded as having an entirely different status. His experience will reflect his capabilities according to his age and the length of time he has been employed in a stable. The good groom will have an even temper, a confident manner with his charges, be entirely dedicated to their welfare and be a conscientious worker who takes pride in his horses and their surroundings. He should be prepared to carry out his duties in all weathers and not be a clock watcher. He should have a good constitution and be physically fit and strong. In competition yards the groom will have to learn to become adaptable to the flexible schedule which events invoke. Long and irregular hours are part of the day-to-day routine once the competition season begins. It is therefore imperative that the groom should be prepared both physically and mentally for the constant pressures of such a lifestyle. It will also require great tolerance to withstand the tension of competitions for the rider's anxiety can often rub off on the groom. Because of the irregular schedule during the season the groom may be expected to adjust his timetable with regard to time off and holidays. It should be a matter of give and take, making the most of slack periods and being available during busier times.

The duties of the groom will largely depend on his experience. The trainee school-leaver should not be left to do anything he has not been properly trained to do and must be subequently monitored until it is found that he is capable of carrying out that task. The skilled groom, however, will be expected to perform most stable duties singlehanded and efficiently.

Generally the first job of the day is feeding and this is usually supervised by a senior member of staff or the owner. It is up to the groom to check that the horses he feeds have eaten up the last feed of the previous day and to report back to his superior as to how the horses are. Mucking out and yard sweeping is normally done before breakfast and it is up to each groom to ensure that his horses are done properly and on time. Slow workers should allow longer for chores such as mucking out but at the same time learn by experience how to improve their efficiency. Breakfast is usually taken when the stables are finished, after which exercising begins. Those yards which prefer their horses ridden before breakfast may expect the groom to tack them up before or during mucking out, so enough time should be allowed for this even if it means the groom getting up earlier.

During breakfast, or in some yards the night before, the riding plans are decided so each groom will know which horses he is to ride and which he is expected to prepare for someone else to ride. The head girl/lad shall ensure that each groom knows exactly what tack is used for each horse and how it is fitted. If there is a change in the horse's regular tack it is up to the head person to make sure that the relevant groom knows how to fit it. The groom may be expected to bring the saddled horse out to be mounted at a specific time and must ensure that he is punctual. Courtesy to the owner should be expressed at all times, not least when the horse is presented to him. Once the horse returns from exercise the groom should care for him promptly by washing down or grooming. The lunch-time feed then precedes the staff's lunch break after which some yards insist on the horses having their siesta. At this time the grooms are usually employed on tack cleaning and carrying out maintenance chores.

Afternoon stables involve the groom with any grooming, strapping, clipping, trimming etc before the horses are set fair for the night. The groom sets fair the beds of his horses, gives hay and water, changes rugs and sweeps up before feed time. Any veterinary treatment is done at this time too and the groom may have to carry this out himself or assist someone else. The groom checks his horses again last thing, i.e. between 9 and 10 pm, making sure that water buckets are full, rugs straight and that the horse has finished his tea-time feed. Where appropriate the groom may give a fourth feed before leaving the horse for the night.