Yard Assistant

About the Role

You’ll be joining Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, a thriving equine hospital based in Newbury, West Berkshire. This temporary 6-month full-time position offers the chance to work in a fast-paced clinical environment where your hands-on care directly supports the wellbeing of hospitalised horses. The role sits on the edge of the North Wessex Downs AONB, with excellent transport links—just 45 minutes by train to London—making it an ideal location for those seeking both professional opportunity and countryside living.

You’ll work 40 hours per week across a rotating shift pattern covering 5 days, including weekends and bank holidays. Overtime is paid for weekend work, and the team values reliability and flexibility in a busy hospital setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Daily horse care including feeding, mucking out, and grooming to maintain their comfort and health
• Yard maintenance and cleaning to ensure a safe, hygienic environment for horses and staff
• In-patient admission and discharge procedures, including accurate completion of client paperwork
• Supporting the clinical team in a busy equine hospital environment
• Learning and mastering all duties through comprehensive on-the-job training

Requirements

• Strong horse handling skills and experience working with a variety of horses
• Genuine passion for equine care and animal welfare
• Ability to work efficiently as part of a team in a fast-paced, demanding environment
• Reliability and flexibility with shift work, including weekends and bank holidays
• Willingness to learn and commitment to safe working practices

Benefits

• Competitive salary up to £25,484.72 depending on experience
• 6.6 weeks annual leave plus additional leave for your birthday
• Enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted staff pet care
• Pension scheme
• Wellbeing initiatives and non-accidental injury support
• Learning and development opportunities through the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Pawsome Benefits reward gateway with discounts and cashback from hundreds of retailers
• Paid overtime for weekend work

About the Practice

Donnington Grove Veterinary Group is a busy equine hospital in Newbury, Berkshire, holding RCVS Tier 3 hospital status. The main hospital is supported by branch practices at Tadley and Thatcham, both fully equipped for surgical procedures and digital diagnostic imaging. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, a leading veterinary group in the UK, and is committed to providing excellent equine care in a supportive, professional environment.

Located in the thriving West Berkshire town of Newbury, the practice benefits from a strong local equestrian community and beautiful countryside, making it an attractive location for those passionate about horses and working in a dynamic clinical setting.