In a professional establishment the head groom usually has complete responsibility for the horses including devising training schedules, choosing feeds for optimum nutrition and ensuring the horses are shod, wormed, inoculated and provided with timely veterinary care.
[citation needed] Historically, one kind of stable master was an avener ( /ˈævənər/), or avenor, the chief officer of the stables of a king, and the officer in charge of obtaining positions for horses belonging to the king.
[1] The avenar was under the watch of the Master of the Horse, and in his duties administered the oaths of office to all other stable officials.
[3] In a private residence the stable master has these responsibilities and must also accommodate the riding schedules of the employer's family and, if necessary, arrange for lessons and training.
The stable master must ensure that a groom is on call during specified hours in case any members of the employer's family wish to ride.