Equine college?

I know several PC kids who did - and one fosterling of mine did. Mixed reviews really. Of 4 PC kids the same age as my daughter who went to Equine College at 16... 3 went wothout any BHS qualifications. (All had PC B test) Got to stage 2 but could not go further becuase the group as a whole had to be able to progress - it wasn't individual. 1 went with BHS 2 and got to AI - had a much more postive experience. 3 of 4 got work as grooms - 1 went into beauty instead. 4 years later none still work in the industry - but the one who got to AI only left following serious injuries in a unrelated car accident and does hope to get back.

My fosterling went to University first but having gained her degree and worked for a year in sales really wanted to get back to horses. She took a year out and did a version of working pupil in a equine college to see if she could make it work (She had her AI already gained by the time she completed her A levels) She is now happily based with an international event team; riding, breaking, producing, teaching and basically living the dream. I'm trying to think how many years she has been there now... 3 or 4 I think.

Another fosterling of mine wanted to work with horses but did not take the equine college route - she took a Haddon apprenticeship with a show jumper / producer and having a great time. She's been there 2 years now.

The kids had mixed experiences - but I think that is like any college. They were living and working away from home for the first time. Having seen my daughter (and of course fosterling 1) through Uni my perception as a parent was that the Uni kids got more from the experience. They were treated with more value by the organisation. The kids at equine college were treated rather as if they were disposeable - there was nothing individual. But then there were numerous applicants for every place. And I think the review system is different. Delighted as I am with fosterling 1 I suspect she might have been better off following her dream rather than building up debt going to Uni - but no experience is ever wasted - and I doubt she will ever earn enough to pay back her loan! Fosterling 2 has had a massively positive experience.

In terms of long term working within the industry. Those who did a pupillage / apprenticeship have lasted longer and got further in the industry. But it is an industry where there are a lot who fall by the wayside naturally - its minimum wage hard physical work and a lot of poor employers.

Without giving anything personal away - what are your aims from college? Where do you want to be in 5 or 10 years time?
 
As an employer, I would generally take those who have done a working pupil training over those from college however there are exceptions. In general, colleges struggle to replicate real life and don't reflect the hard graft required to work in the industry. All that said, my son went to Hartpury but it was for a very specific degree, Equine Dental Science, which is no longer available there. A lot would depend on what area of the industry you want to work in and what previous experience you already have. Research the content of any courses you are interested in carefully and find out where previous students have gained employment if you can before making any decisions and expect to continue training after you have left college.
 
I did 2 yrs at level 3 in a college, happy to discuss which one via PM. Loved the experience, had lots of fun with friends etc. Did work in the industry along side as well as having 2 of my own and studying/riding and caring for colleges. I found it too much, a lot of horse time and it was my horses that suffered, as by the end of the day I was tired of all of it, the level of care for the horse in the college was something else I struggled with, wasn’t great to whiteness.
 
EventingMum said:
As an employer, I would generally take those who have done a working pupil training over those from college however there are exceptions. In general, colleges struggle to replicate real life and don't reflect the hard graft required to work in the industry. All that said, my son went to Hartpury but it was for a very specific degree, Equine Dental Science, which is no longer available there. A lot would depend on what area of the industry you want to work in and what previous experience you already have. Research the content of any courses you are interested in carefully and find out where previous students have gained employment if you can before making any decisions and expect to continue training after you have left college.
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I have been looking at courses recently. I'm not too sure what I want to be doing in the future, but I know it will be something to do with horses. I have been thinking of having a business at home (buying,breaking, training , selling and lessons). Do you know any good courses I could take?
 
PeachestheConnie said:
I have been looking at courses recently. I'm not too sure what I want to be doing in the future, but I know it will be something to do with horses. I have been thinking of having a business at home (buying,breaking, training , selling and lessons). Do you know any good courses I could take?
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If you can get on one, do a course in business rather than an equine one.
 
What about racing? There are 2 verh good racing schools - Newmarket and Doncaster. Courses are 9-14 weeks in length and they guarantee you a job in a yard at the end of it.

Racing is the only equine job with a secure pay structure, a union and regular bonuses.

It's also not all about the work riding, there are many aspects to racing and yard life. You start and finish at set times (give or take 15mins as you know what horses are like!) Every day of the week. This varies if you go racing of course when the day will be longer.
 
PeachestheConnie said:
I have been looking at courses recently. I'm not too sure what I want to be doing in the future, but I know it will be something to do with horses. I have been thinking of having a business at home (buying,breaking, training , selling and lessons). Do you know any good courses I could take?
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That's quite a widespread, for breaking and schooling I would gain experience as a trainee on a yard that does that already. For teaching, I would gain some qualifications either BHS or some discipline-specific but if you wish to teach a particular discipline it would be useful to have a good affiliated competition record yourself to help attract clients. Qualifications will make getting insurance easier. Some college courses will be aimed at coaching. I would look at various colleges websites, most will have an online prospectus detailing their courses or look at equestrian centres that teach that may have working pupil/trainee programmes. A business course is also a great suggestion.
 
PeachestheConnie said:
I have been looking at courses recently. I'm not too sure what I want to be doing in the future, but I know it will be something to do with horses. I have been thinking of having a business at home (buying,breaking, training , selling and lessons). Do you know any good courses I could take?
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Its really sesnible to be looking and thinking so that you have plans - both a plan A and a plan B! - for the future.

The advice so far, and my experience, has been that industry experience is better than college unless the degree is specific. There are colleges that do equine buisness degrees - but personally I remain to be convinced they are worth the money you will pay.

We don't know how old you are - and we do not need to know. But the sooner you can start with your BHS stages the quicker you will move forward. It also convinces possible future employers that you are serious. There are, I'm afraid, a lot of young people who think they would like to work with horses who don't stay the course so providors are really sceptical. If you are with the PC you could opt to mix your stages with the PC tests (B + lunging is equivalent to 2 etc.) You can also look out for any UKCC coaching courses run in your PC area. UKCC has a mixed reputation and I'm not personally fond of it - but if you are looking for courses along side conventional A levels its another string to your bow. Its ridiculously expensive - but PC Sponsor it so you can get through cheaper that way. If you are a bit younger you could also look at the YELA awards. Again its a way of demontrsating commitment - but it can also help to build professional contacts which would help later. But that is only really going to help if you are inthe 14 - 16 bracket.

Getting on can depend on how much money / parental support you have. To do breaking / training / teaching from the start requies a yard you don't have to pay rent on and seed money to set you up buying and selling. If you have that as a family background - great! Trade on those contacts and expereience. Its priceless!

If not - you're going to have to start on someone else's propoerty / buisness. Racing school is a great suggestion - I've only remote personal experience of someone who did it (the son of another PC Mum) but he has ended up as a very successful stallion man. There is a massively wide range of careers there and you certainly could cover breaking / training - and re-training if you edge toward RoR.

Otherwise - look at Haddon Apprenticeships. There are other firms but they are the largest. That will show you what sort of roles are likely to be available for you and what pre qualifications / experience you might need to get the best ones. You might want something live in away from the family - or you might prefer to stay closer to home. If nothing else parents make a great place to do the laundry and snag a free meal. (Or at least they seem to in my house!) Not all allow you to take your own horse so that might be a consdieration for you. If you can go in with both your stages and, if you can, some competition experience relevant to where you want to be that helps.
 
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