Stable Staff Welfare: The 6,000 People Who Care for 20,000 Racehorses

Over 6,000 people in Britain work daily caring for the 20,000+ horses in training and racing each year. Stable staff work long hours, often in physically demanding conditions, for modest pay. Their welfare directly impacts horse welfare, because stressed, overworked staff cannot provide optimal care.

The BHA’s Careers in Racing programme addresses recruitment and training, attempting to attract new entrants to an industry facing staffing shortages. Initiatives include attending equine events and schools, promoting racing careers through the RaceDay for Schools teaching resource, and highlighting career progression pathways.

Accommodation standards for stable staff have improved in recent decades, with many yards now providing quality housing as part of employment packages. Training standards have professionalised, with National Vocational Qualifications available in racehorse care and recognised career progression routes.

But challenges remain. The work is physically demanding and often involves weekend and holiday coverage. Pay levels, while improved, remain below many other sectors requiring similar commitment. Mental health support for stable staff is less developed than for jockeys, despite stable staff facing job stress, isolation (yards are often rural), and limited career mobility.