NEW mum Kelly Lainsbury has been horse-mad since she was six years old.

Little wonder then that the day she went into labour three months ago she was grooming horses at the stables where she works.

Ms Lainsbury, 30, is yard manager at Heath Farm, near Milton-under-Wychwood, where she oversees the care of 33 highly valuable horses.

She is also groom and right-hand woman to Olympic dressage rider Emile Faurie.

Back in jodhpurs and bouncing 14-week-old Max on her knee, she said: “For as long as I can remember I have been obsessed with horses. This is my dream job.”

Along with the rest of the nine-strong team, Ms Lainsbury’s day starts at 6am.

She cleans saddles and bridles and washes and plaits manes and tails, if it is a competition day.

She also exercises and trains the horses for two hours each day and competes on one of Mr Faurie’s horses.

Most are owned by other people, so a big part of her role is liaising with them, their vets and farriers.

Ms Lainsbury also measures out feed for the horses three times a day.

She explained: “We work with equine nutritionists to get the balance right for each horse and it changes constantly.

“If they get the wrong feeds for a week before they go to a show, they’re not going to perform at their best.”

Ms Lainsbury, who lives in Chipping Norton with Max and firefighter husband Lewis Sigsworth, arrived at Heath Farm 10 years ago as a working pupil.

This is where a youngster works for a top-level rider and in return receives one-to-one training and tuition.

After gaining her Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) driving licence, she started travelling to competitions as Emile’s driver and groom.

“It’s making sure all the equipment is ready and Emile has everything he needs, so he can have as stress-free a day as possible,” she said.

Her first encounter with a pony as a child was a one-off treat, she said.

Ms Lainsbury said: “My mum took me to a riding school but she wasn’t at all horsey, no-one in my family was. I think she was a bit shocked when I carried on going week after week and she realised how much kit you need.

“But it kept me focused while I was growing up.”

Her advice to anyone wanting to follow in her footsteps is: “Work hard and be prepared to start at the bottom.

“It’s not a nine-to-five job and you don’t do it for any other reason than because you love it.”

She added: “It’s never about the money, it is all about the horses.”