Does it mean slave labour, hardly any pay and years before I finish training?
No - this is a government funded Apprenticeship. Whilst undertaking your NVQ or Apprenticeship you will be employed and there are strict wage guidelines attached to these government schemes. You will have to work hard; and the horse and animal care industries do not offer the same financial rewards as merchant banking, but with dedication you should be able to make fast progress through training to the level you want to achieve.