Equine Courses????

[FrancescaL]

I'm 19 and currently at uni in London but after finishing my first year I'm not sure if i want to continue with it or not. Last year before I started at uni, I had big doubts about the course and seriously considered changing to an equine degree, only thing is I haven't ridden/been around horses for going on 4 years now but I know it's something I really miss. The only reason I stopped being because of some things that I was going through at the time. I've also considered taking a year out to get a job and think about what I want to do etc, but I'm doubtful that the uni I'm at will allow me to do that. Would it be worth it to do an equine degree? I'm quite interested in equine science, equine therapy/rehabilitation, or management possibly, with the aim to work with competition horses in the future? I've also had a look around at the uni's/college's that do equine courses but those of you that have studied an equine course/degree, what did you study and what do you think of where you studied, and how much riding/practical work did you do compared to theory? At the moment I like the look of Myerscough, Bishop burton, Reaseheath, easton and otley, and hartpury???

 

[Leo Walker]

If you want to work with competition horses then leave and get an apprenticeship working with competition horses. A degree counts for nothing and will actually be a hindernace working in industry. Bear in mind as well that you will get hurt and you will get older and not want to be doing such hard physical labour, and you will need something to fall back on.

You are much better finishing your degree and then getting your own competition horse!

 

[tashcat]

Where are you at uni? Can you work part time with horses whilst getting your degree?

I agree with Leo, I would either finish your degree and then go into horses, or abandon the degree and go straight into something horsey. Experience and hard work are much for valuable than a degree in this industry.

Horses are good fun, but its important to realise that horses as a hobby is very different to horses as a career.

 

[Shay]

Sadly equine degrees are pretty much useless . You are far better getting an apprenticeship and working through your BHS qualifications. The only exceptions to that would be things like animal physiotherapy - you have to have a human physiotherapy degree first.

 

[PorkChop]

Bare in mind that if you want to be a groom/rider then you will be on minimum wage for quite some time.

Far better to finish your degree and have your own horse.

Other options would be working with horses as an aside, so a physio, Vet, farrier, nutrisionist etc.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I know a few people who have got equine degrees, worked on a yard for a short time (2 on the same yard) and then left horses as a career altogether. Far better to find a course that will be of use to you in a career and keep horses as a hobby. Working with horses is extremely hard physical work, in all weathers, for very little money. There are very few people who can do it long-term.

 

[Ceifer]

I know a few people who have got equine degrees, worked on a yard for a short time (2 on the same yard) and then left horses as a career altogether. Far better to find a course that will be of use to you in a career and keep horses as a hobby. Working with horses is extremely hard physical work, in all weathers, for very little money. There are very few people who can do it long-term.

This 100%
Bear in mind a few things. The industry is tough. I did 11 years as a rider groom. I had brilliant fun doing it and got to care for and ride some amazing horses. But the money isn't brilliant. You can't do it forever and I had to fight to get a 'normal' job when I left the industry.
I worked for some lovely people and also some horrific characters.

I'm not saying don't do it. Just think very carefully about where it's going to lead.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

The only equine courses that any employer would look at would be the ones from the racing school if you were looking for a job in racing.

Forgetc the rest. Itself just a piece of paper telling you you can tie up a haynet and full up a water bucket.

Stick to a proper degree at uni and keep your horses as a hobby.

I've worked in the same yard in racing for 14 years. Do I regret it? Not on your nelly! Could I carry on in this job for a long time? No. It's bloomin hard work in all weather's. Could I find a 'normal' job easily? Nope! Tried! I have no education or qualifications behind me so I struggle to even get a look in! Whilst it's been great fun I really will be looking to move on properly within the next year before I am too old to have a career change!

 

[Undecided]

Depending on your course, some don't require very much in the way of horse contact. For example; I did Equine Sports Therapy - daily contact with horses on the ground. No riding as I chose modules in Behaviour and Nutrition. However at the same uni, my housemate did Equine Science and Business Management, she was terrified of horses which she wouldn't admit, and during her first year weekly riding lessons would give all sorts of excuse not to ride, then in her second and third year it was just contact on the ground, one of their modules was youngstock production, whereby at the end you had backed your given youngster if appropriate for the timeframe, but she "volunteered" as cameraman and so the others did the lunging/leading/sitting on etc. Most unis will have you do yard duties in the morning, ours was just during first year, but again course dependent - I didn't, other Therapy friend who chose Coaching modules did.
I'm nearing the end of my MSc in Equine Science and I've handled more dead horses than live ones, maybe 2/3 sessions?
However my final goal isn't a ridden/yard role, its office based with yard visits. I also have/compete my own and have worked at yards during my studies so if horse care is a requirement for a job application I do have it.
In terms of year out, I've not heard of a uni who doesn't allow it, and I'd assume its easier for you do take it off after your first year than during your second, where the jump in knowledge demand happens. During this time, whatever you do, you will realise whether you want to go back or change paths.
I think you need to have a think about what you want to do in the future and then decide, as others have said, to some employers a degree is worthless, they'd prefer life skills over any piece of paper. Maybe attend some open days and ask the students there or the lecturers what people from the course have gone on to do and what their employment rates are after graduating.

 

[zaminda]

I know a couple of people who have done equine science degrees. 2 are now primary school teachers, and one is an equine chiropractor. Actual equine degrees with the idea of working directly with horses are a waste of time in my experience.

 

[Arzada]

I've also considered taking a year out to get a job and think about what I want to do etc, but I'm doubtful that the uni I'm at will allow me to do that.

You will be able to interrupt your studies for a year or even 2 years. Ask your tutor, or admin/information staff or search your university website to look at the process. It's probably completing a form.

 

[SO1]

What is your current degree?

Before giving up your degree I would speak to a few of the rehabilitation centres and ask them how they got into the line of work and what qualifications and experience they would require if they wished to employ someone.

Maybe see if you can get some work experience at one over the summer or even go as an observer if they won't let you do anything you could at least watch the work they do and that would give you an idea of what it is like.

I livery at a rehab yard and they have a lot of competition horses in, so you would need to be confident with dealing with competition horses who may be on box rest. I think it takes quite a special sort of person as not only are you dealing with horses that may be quite tricky to handle and worth a lot of money but you will also have to deal with worried owners or difficult owners who may ask you to do things you don't agree with or try and speed up the process (although most of the rehab programmes will have been devised by a vet). The horses may only come in for a few months so you have to get to know them quite quickly and some may not get better. I would add that some horses that end up on rehab yards are there because the owner can't handle the rehab so you might get some tricky behaviour to deal with.