From the office to the stables - is being a groom a good idea???

[SarahK]

My troublesome loan horse is going back tomorrow meaning i will now be horseless

I love him so so much but he's just not the one for me.

I will not be in a position to buy another horse for about a year

I am currently hating my office job and generally unhappy with my life as a whole. I used to work as a stable hand/groom and loved it, would love to get back into it again but wanted some opinions from others....

Is the grass really greener on the other side and will i be able to earn enough money to live on?

How many grooms jobs are around in Bucks?
I have a partner who i live with so couldn't be a live in groom unless own cottage/flat was provided but have a car so transport no issue.

Not afraid of hard work or long hours but just wondering what jobs are around, what experiences others have as grooms and mainly will i earn enough??

Sorry to ramble but could really do with some help, i'm rather unhappy at the moment

and i think working with horses could really help me.

Thanks x

 

[louise4208]

My experience of working with horses is a little negative, sorry! Albeit 14 years ago now, things may have changed by now!
I worked in a riding school, on a training sceme called skillseekers. I worked towards NVQ's and BHS exams, was paid £50 per wk, and still had to pay them livery on top of that.
I really loved my time working there, was given loads of responsibility and superb training. I did this for 4 years and after about 2 years I was left to just about run the yard myself (while still earning £50 per wk, not live in). I thought this was great because I loved horses.
My boss promised me a full time job as manager when my training finished but when the minimum wage was brought in by the government, my boss said she couldn't afford to pay me, and by then I was too old for any training scheme. She was able to employ 3 trainees for what she had to pay me full time!
I couldn't get another 'horsey' job in my area, and didn't want to move away from my family, so started working in an office.
Not sure what advice to give you, think as long as you have a full time contract (not training) and you can live on the wages, you will really enjoy the work. I was given some fantastic oppurtunities such as competeing all over the country, on my own horse and others. I found it really rewarding. I was only able to continue this job for 4 years because of very supportive parents!
I am now retraining at uni to be an occupational therapist, I teach part time, and do clipping etc to make money. My whole life still revolves around horses, and I'm very glad of the experience I gained at the yard. Sorry this is long, but I totally understand how you feel.
Why not apply for a couple of jobs or telephone them for a chat to get some info on specific jobs. Good luck.

 

[The Original Kao]

i had 5 years away from horses having a kid plus i had decided before that i was going to leave the equine industry and work elsewhere.
i hated it and even tho the weather is awful, i'm really glad to be back with the horses.
i'm on above minimum wage with free livery so no complaints about wages from me

you could always have a look around and see whats on offer before you decide to go back to yard work.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

I left my job as a PA in London to go and work as a nanny and a groom for a family. I lived with them and it was the best 3 years I've had working. I loved it. I was desperately unhappy before I went there and it gave me 3 years of total happiness, freedom and time to chill out to be with horses that I loved. Couldn't recommend it more. However, working at a riding school or something similiar would probably be v. different. I became one of the family and so it didn't feel like work at all.

 

[StefDua]

What you're suggesting is sort of like a pipe dream for me. I'd love to do it as I get fed up with being cooped up in an office. I looked into working at a racing yard as there is one just down the road but the pay was ridiculously low. I have too much debt to clear and bills to pay.

Having said that if you can find a job where the wages are right then go for it. I don't know what wages are like in other types of yards etc so have a look around and make enquiries.

 

[Weezy]

I think if you have a house that you can let out, and take a job with accommodation, you are on a win-win, so long as the wages are good. If I didn't have children it is what I would do again, I loved being an SJ groom.

 

[nikkiportia]

I have to say that I have done and continue to do very well on my grooms wages. But I think this is mainly due to the fact that I have always had accomodation with the job and even my bills are paid. I've never had to pay rent or get a morgage.
But I also think it depends on the sort of grooms job that you do. I'm on a TB stud, where conditions and pay are very good, I'm provided with a 3 bed cottage which is classed as 'married' accomodation. Even though all my bills except electric and telephone are paid, I also get a good wage and plenty of bonuses. In fact I can happily support my OH, myself, 2 dogs and a horse and not struggle too much.
But as I say, it depends on how professional the job is. A riding school or livery yard is unlikely to offer the same conditions as a stud for example, so take that into consideration.
But I also have to bear in mind, that if I couldn't work anymore due to injury or illness, I lose everything which is not very comforting

 

[Libbyn1982]

I went to work at a riding school for a while and hated it. I also decided that when I left school I wanted to work with horses properly and so went to Reaseheath College to do a ND. I lasted 1/2 a term, thought about going back after I finally did A-Levels to do the HND corse and decided aginst that as well. I love horses and really couldn't live without them but I don't think they could be my career, maybe now i'm older maybe they could but then could never find decent enough wages. I think the answer is to win lottery and open a brand new EC

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

I've done this. Left my full time job, did a year as a WP, then did a 50/50 office/yard for a year, now full time on the yards working as an instructor.

I love it, hated working in offices. Money is a bit of an issue, I earn above minimum wage but sometimes when I compare how hard I work (including weekends and late nights) to my friends who earn a lot more, it is frustrating. I think in particular for riding instructors unless you are freelance the money is rubbish but I love the teaching and the variety of opportunities on the RS. There does seem to be better money available for straight grooming jobs, plus accomodation etc so if this is where your interests lie then go for it!

However, like I said, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love working outside with the horses: the thought of going back to an office and sitting in front of an excel spreasheet all day makes my blood run cold.

 

[RosieC]

I'm currently looking for a groom/working pupil job, most of the places I have looked at offer minimum wage, which is fine by me as I'm not qualified in any area but have a lot of experience. Depending on experience a lot of places offer between £150-300 p/w.

Lots of places in Bucks are looking, try yardandgroom.com, careergrooms.com, surf through all the classifieds on horse websites (just google 'groom job') and maybe put up a 'work wanted' ad? I've had a couple of phonecalls after a week of advertising!

 

[Blakesmum2]

Have got two jobs through CareerGrooms, first one was with a dressage rider (who got really picky and stressy) and I ended up hating it and vowed never to work with horses again.

Ended up working in a supermarkeet to support my eqine habit lol, hated every second of it.

But then I had a phone call out of the blue a few weeks ago and I'm now working as a groom/rider on a hunting/eventing/showjumping yard. It's early days but so far it's been great. Okay so it doesn't pay as well as the supermarket job did, but I'm happy again and in this world I'd rather be happy than rich (although both together would be nice) and sometimes you have to follow your heart.

 

[MarinaBay]

I know of a nice yard in Bucks that is looking. PM me if your interested.

 

[Beanyowner]

I am actually trying to do the exact same thing...except I'm looking in the Bristol/Bath and surrounding areas. Need a live out post though as me and the OH already paying a mortgage!!