When people imagine the life of a professional groom, they often picture international horse shows, beautiful horses, and the excitement of competition. Those moments certainly exist. But behind the scenes, the profession also demands long hours, physical sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to horses that often comes at a personal cost.
Few people understand that better than Swedish former professional groom Nora Bilancioni.
During 12 years in the industry, Nora worked in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. She groomed at some of the world’s biggest horse shows, cared for exceptional horses, celebrated unforgettable victories, and built lifelong friendships. But she also experienced poor working conditions, injuries, and the realization that many grooms sacrifice far more than they should.
In this episode of The HorseGrooms Podcast – Presented by Horcery, Nora shares both the highs and the realities of professional grooming, while offering thoughtful ideas for how the industry can move forward.
A Career That Was Never Supposed to Last
Nora never planned on becoming a career groom.
After finishing school, she simply wanted to keep riding the horse she loved. Taking a job as a rider and groom seemed like a temporary solution while she figured out what she wanted to do with her life.
One or two years quickly became twelve. “I just loved grooming,” she says. “The more experience I gained, the more I wanted to learn.”
Throughout her career she worked in numerous professional stables across Europe and the United States. While some people questioned why she moved between employers, Nora explains that she was searching for something many grooms still struggle to find: a workplace where respect, good management, and decent working conditions came first.
Several employers left a lasting positive impression because they valued their staff as much as they valued their horses. Those experiences showed her that professional, respectful workplaces are absolutely possible.
The Horses That Stay With You
Like many grooms, Nora’s favorite memories aren’t necessarily about winning ribbons. They’re about the horses. One horse in particular changed her life: BBS McGregor. “He was like a puppy to groom, but a dragon to ride,” she laughs.
One of her proudest memories came during the five-star Nations Cup in Prague, where rider Jack Ryan and McGregor produced one of only two double-clear performances in the competition. Watching horse and rider grow together to that level remains one of the highlights of her career.
The hardest moments were often the quiet ones. “When horses I became really attached to were sold, it felt like a piece of your heart went with them.” It’s a feeling many professional grooms know all too well.
The Hidden Cost of Always Being Strong
Perhaps the most powerful part of Nora’s story is her honesty about the physical toll grooming took on her body. In her HorseGrooms article for the A Groom’s Truth Unfiltered series, she wrote that the profession ultimately cost her her health.
Looking back, she says the warning signs were there long before she finally left the industry. She worked through pain, lifted more than she should have, and avoided seeing doctors because she worried people would think she was weak or that she might lose her job. “I always learned that unless something is broken, you’re fine.”
Today, she wishes she had made different choices. “If I could do it again, I would have gone to the doctor straight away.”
Her message isn’t one of regret. Instead, it’s a reminder that taking care of yourself is also taking care of the horses.
A healthy groom is ultimately a better groom.
Nora believes more employers could help by supporting preventative care such as physiotherapy or chiropractic treatment, particularly in physically demanding barns.
The Challenges Grooms Still Face
Although Nora hasn’t been grooming professionally for quite a while now, she remains close to many friends who are.
The conversations haven’t changed much.
– Long working hours.
– Limited time off.
– Poor communication.
– A lack of respect for the profession.
She believes one overlooked challenge is that experienced grooms are often expected to train new employees without ever receiving guidance on how to teach or manage people themselves. That creates unnecessary stress for everyone involved.
Another issue, she says, is that many stable owners and riders become employers without any formal management training. “They know horses incredibly well,” Nora explains, “but running a business and managing people are completely different skills.”
Better leadership, clearer communication, and more professional management would benefit both horses and staff.
Tip: Listen to episode #007 of the HorseGrooms Podcast where Natalia Zoi of Ippos Pro Consulting talks about what equestrian employers can do to build stronger teams and keep good grooms.
Professional Doesn’t Mean Replaceable
When asked what employers often underestimate, Nora doesn’t hesitate. “I think a lot of them believe every groom is replaceable.” In reality, she says, many people only realize how valuable a good groom was after they have left.
Professional grooms don’t simply muck stalls or prepare horses. They monitor health, coordinate veterinary care, organize logistics, manage nutrition, communicate with farriers, travel internationally, mentor new staff, solve problems, and often become the person who knows each horse better than anyone else.
Those responsibilities deserve recognition, but also professional working conditions.
What Would She Change Tomorrow?
If Nora could change one thing overnight, the answer is simple. She wants grooming to become a profession with the same standards people expect in other industries.
That means realistic working hours. Five-day work weeks. Fair salaries. Employment contracts. Compensation for overtime. The ability to seek medical care without worrying about losing your job.
“I would go back to grooming tomorrow if that became reality,” she says with a smile.
Reasons for Optimism
Despite the challenges, Nora does see encouraging changes. In many European countries, wages have improved. Horse shows increasingly recognize the work of grooms through awards and public acknowledgment. The profession is slowly becoming more visible.
She hopes that growing appreciation at competitions will eventually translate into greater respect from employers as well.
Organizations like HorseGrooms, she believes, can also play an important role by providing education, practical resources, and a supportive community where grooms know they are not facing these challenges alone.
Advice for Future Grooms
Nora still encourages passionate young people to pursue the profession, but with open eyes. Many enter the industry thinking they will spend their days with horses, without fully understanding how demanding and physically challenging the job actually is.
Her advice is straightforward: Know your worth before you enter the industry. Ask around about potential employers. Ask how they treat their grooms. If the turnover rate is high, ask why previous grooms have left and how current grooms like it there.
Talk to other grooms. Never stop learning. “Be like a sponge,” she says. “Listen to everyone and keep learning.”
Most importantly, don’t sacrifice your own future in the process.
A Better Future Starts With Respect
Throughout the conversation, one message kept coming back.
Respect.
Respect for horses.
Respect for fellow grooms.
Respect from employers.
Respect for your own health.
When asked what people can do to keep a good groom happy and part of the team for the long term, Nora’s answer was immediate. “Treat them with the same amount of respect you would want to receive.”
Sometimes, improving the profession doesn’t require complicated solutions. It starts with treating the people who care for the horses as professionals who deserve to be cared for too.
Listen to the Full Podcast Episode
This article highlights some of the key topics discussed during our conversation with Nora Bilancioni, but there is much more in the full episode. Nora also shares funny stories from life on the road, memorable horses, the differences between grooming in Europe and the United States, and her thoughts on how technology can support better horse care.
Listen to the full episode via the player above this article, on the podcast page on our website, on the Equus Radio Network, and on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Click here to see and listen to all our other podcast episodes.
Presented by Horcery
This episode of the HorseGrooms Podcast is presented by Horcery.
Horcery’s AI-powered Stall Monitor helps horse owners, grooms, and barn managers stay connected to their horses around the clock by monitoring activity inside the stall and sending intelligent alerts when unusual behavior occurs. It’s an extra set of eyes that can provide valuable peace of mind when you’re away from the barn.
HorseGrooms listeners receive 5% off a Horcery Stall Monitor with the discount code HORSEGROOMS05.
Go to horcery.com to learn more about these helpful tools in the barn.
More From Nora Bilancioni
If Nora’s story resonated with you, you may also want to read these HorseGrooms articles she has written:
- A Groom’s Truth Unfiltered; The Pain Behind the Passion
Nora’s honest account of the physical impact professional grooming had on her body and why she believes grooms need better support. - American Structure vs. Organized European Chaos in the Show Jumping Warm Up Arena
An inside look at the contrasting warm-up arena cultures in American and European show jumping, and what riders and grooms can learn from both approaches. - What Is a Fair Wage in the Equestrian Industry?
An honest look at what fair pay really means in the equestrian industry, exploring wages, benefits, working conditions, and the factors that shape sustainable careers for grooms.
More HorseGrooms Resources
If you’re interested in building a long and sustainable career as a professional groom, you may also enjoy:
- Browse our A Groom’s Truth Unfiltered series, where Nora, and other professional grooms, share honest stories about the realities of the profession.
- Explore hundreds of free articles covering horse care, stable management, careers, health, and horsemanship.
- Join the HorseGrooms Community, where grooms from around the world ask questions, share experiences, and support one another.
- Become a HorseGrooms Insider for exclusive webinars, Q&A sessions with industry experts, educational resources, discounts, and more. Use the discount code HGPODCAST to receive 10% off your HorseGrooms Insiders membership.
- Subscribe to the HorseGrooms monthly Newsletter to not miss anything.
- Join Insiders here.
HorseGrooms is a platform of resources, education, and support for grooms by grooms. This is an online community, hub of resources, and spotlight of industry highlights born out of love for the horse and love for the sport. But our mission goes beyond simply providing resources and creating content.
Our goal is to create a space to keep horsemanship alive; for grooms to support and educate each other; and to help advance the craft of grooming. HorseGrooms is dedicated to ambitious grooms everywhere.
