I Don't Believe I Am Contemplating This....! Need Opinions (Don't worry, not sad!)

The_snoopster said:
Mrs M go for it once you have done your sums and worked out what it is your hankering after, I left my chosen career after years of training and working my way up from a waitress to head chef. I worked, did inhouse training and did the college bit whilst bringing up my son and keeping house. I did split shifts and getting home past 12am most nights only to be back in again at 9.45am, yes the money was good and the perks were nice a free hotel holiday once a year etc.
But after 10 years I decided I would rather have less money and control my job rather than the job control me, so one day I walked out and never looked back. I now have several p/t jobs and have never been happier.
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Ta hun. Your experiences are very useful, thank you :).

Control. Hm. Good word :)
 
I looked into doing my AI a couple of years ago. I had taken a sabbatical and wanted to get my AI done. In order to do it I either had to do a WP for a year for which i was too old or do an intensive course which involved living in in most cases.It was also extremely expensive and I couldnt see it paying back enough to be worth it. With home commitments too, it would have been impossible to live in, plus we still have a mortgage to pay so money had to be coming in.

Unless you are an extremely good rider or doing it full time then it will be hard to pass the AI riding part, although the teaching part should be ok. Not sure on the rules now but it used to be that you could get the teaching but had to get the riding in a certain amount of time. Also, most people who have been riding a long time have bad habits so you need to break them first.Even if you pass you then have to do all the hours of teaching to get the full qualification AFAIK- things may have changed.

Also, the hours of teaching you have to log to qualify used to be ridiculous (more than I did for my B.Ed) although there was talk about reducing them so not sure what the situation is now.

I dont know about Bowen tbh. If it was me, in your situation, I would look into Mctimoney as I think that is up an coming in animal therapy.

You could look to the States for inspiration. They seem to be a few years ahead of us.:)

Oh and Re the living in part...I didnt really fancy sharing a dorm with a group o 16-18 yr olds!
 
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I think that it is good to have plans and ideas for the future - I am a great believer in the fact that we need to make the most of the life we've got as its not a practice run!

I think that before you commit yourself to anything you need to have totally recovered from your accident. I don't want to be pessimistic but backs are funny things (as I know to my cost) and you may find that you have to stop or cut down on some of your activities to preserve your back as long as possible and to make sure you can ride and enjoy the Dizzy one too.

Would teaching mean that you would have to go down the BHS route for qualifications and so you could get insurance?

Could you do some sort of on-line mentoring service for people with horse related problems? A sort of equine agony aunt website? Not sure how that would work financially though unless you could get people to pay to join?

You can do some of the saddlery courses part time if that would help your wrist?

Good luck with what ever you decide to do.
 
LauraBR said:
I must admit, I was a bit surprised by your OP. Based on the posts I have read (which won't be all of them!) you seem to position yourself on here as someone who has fun with horses but is generally quite novice riding wise. I have really enjoyed reading about your achievements starting to jump again, for example- you have done brilliantly and it is a pleasure to follow your progress.

Yes, of course there will be people out there who would really benefit from your riding knowledge and teaching ability but I think you need to consider a) how many of such people will actually own their own horse (and therefore potentially need one provided) and, b) if you did find such clients, how long before they would need someone with more experience?

You are a lovely lady Mrs Mozart and I hate to be pessimistic but I think you need think very carefully about who your market would be, and how you would compete with existing instructors who have more experience.
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Hm :). I think I position myself so because my 'previous' life was life before children, and they seem to have taken up a lot of it lol. Also, I see that things change and move on, so there are more up to date methods and ideas, all of which I would need to learn :D

I have, in my past, worked at equestrian centres, teaching and riding the horses that had problems/issues and exercising and schooling the chosen full liveries that were in our section. Long story and one place was very old school in it's approach lol. Have worked with and ridden: Polo ponies, showjumpers, race horses, Arab studs (here and America). I have broken in and trained horses, both here and in America. I've ridden English and Western. I used to specialise in working with 'problem' horses. Now I am older and fatter and much unfitter :o :rolleyes:. My life has for many years been about many, many other things :). Yes, I am learning to jump again, because I last did it, other than a bit last year, about twenty-five-plus years ago - whilst I well know the theory, my body is not what is was and does not slip so easily in to what it used to do as a matter of course ;). I now have responsiblities that I didn't have then and that little voice on my shoulder can cause me to think twice.

Fads etc. have come and gone and no doubt been back round again twice lol. For example, we used to do flying changes without much thought, because we were taught that it was necessary and we did it. The fact that it now 'appears' to be something 'special' was a surprise to me - I kept watching to see if people now meant something else by it. I'm not saying we were changing on every stride lol, but we changed the rein in canter, we stayed in canter and executed a flying change.

Sorry, I'm rambling again lol.

This is only an idea and it just part of many things. It would not earn what I need even if I were at the top of the tree :). It's a consideration amongst other things :D. Your thoughts are noted though and will go into The Game Plan :). Thank you :)
 
1) decide what you can afford to live on,when starting off in career:cool:
2) money in bank as a back up just incase;)
3)Sell house,buy yard and land and be the nicest YO in the district,where you will have people queing up to come and newbie owners and little ones that want to learn to ride.:D
4)Have hot choccy machine in tack room + biscuits
5)I think you will do well in what ever career you want to do
6)p/t in present career just incase:D
 
Echo Bravo said:
1) decide what you can afford to live on,when starting off in career:cool:
2) money in bank as a back up just incase;)
3)Sell house,buy yard and land and be the nicest YO in the district,where you will have people queing up to come and newbie owners and little ones that want to learn to ride.:D
4)Have hot choccy machine in tack room + biscuits
5)I think you will do well in what ever career you want to do
6)p/t in present career just incase:D
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Lol EB - you've read half my Game Plan! :D :D :D

Ta hun :D
 
dozzie said:
I looked into doing my AI a couple of years ago. I had taken a sabbatical and wanted to get my AI done. In order to do it I either had to do a WP for a year for which i was too old or do an intensive course which involved living in in most cases.It was also extremely expensive and I couldnt see it paying back enough to be worth it. With home commitments too, it would have been impossible to live in, plus we still have a mortgage to pay so money had to be coming in.

Unless you are an extremely good rider or doing it full time then it will be hard to pass the AI riding part, although the teaching part should be ok. Not sure on the rules now but it used to be that you could get the teaching but had to get the riding in a certain amount of time. Also, most people who have been riding a long time have bad habits so you need to break them first.Even if you pass you then have to do all the hours of teaching to get the full qualification AFAIK- things may have changed.

Also, the hours of teaching you have to log to qualify used to be ridiculous (more than I did for my B.Ed) although there was talk about reducing them so not sure what the situation is now.

I dont know about Bowen tbh. If it was me, in your situation, I would look into Mctimoney as I think that is up an coming in animal therapy.

You could look to the States for inspiration. They seem to be a few years ahead of us.:)

Oh and Re the living in part...I didnt really fancy sharing a dorm with a group o 16-18 yr olds!
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Now that is really useful info, thankyou :D. Lots of research to be done m'thinks! Hm. Think I agree re. the living in part... not sure the 16-18 year olds could cope lol :D
 
jodie3 said:
I think that it is good to have plans and ideas for the future - I am a great believer in the fact that we need to make the most of the life we've got as its not a practice run!

I think that before you commit yourself to anything you need to have totally recovered from your accident. I don't want to be pessimistic but backs are funny things (as I know to my cost) and you may find that you have to stop or cut down on some of your activities to preserve your back as long as possible and to make sure you can ride and enjoy the Dizzy one too.

Would teaching mean that you would have to go down the BHS route for qualifications and so you could get insurance?

Could you do some sort of on-line mentoring service for people with horse related problems? A sort of equine agony aunt website? Not sure how that would work financially though unless you could get people to pay to join?

You can do some of the saddlery courses part time if that would help your wrist?

Good luck with what ever you decide to do.
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Good point re. back. Definately hadn't thought of that :(. Hm. Will put that in The Game Plan as a potential blocker... Thanks hun :).

The mentoring idea. Now that's interesting and food for thought. Thank you :D
 
before i read all ten pages (ten pages mrs m?) i'll add my bit...

i'm giving up a very nice government job to retrain as a saddle fitter and a bowen therapist.

all in all, it's taking me about 2 years, and costing about 10k. not including any saddle stock. i'm in the early part of having my little business, and it's scary... because i have 3 kids and a big mortgage that rely on my salary...

but... i think it will be worth it... :D
 
scotsmare said:
Poppy with Raff has recently done saddle fitting training and is doing Bowen training so might be worth having a chat with her :)
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yay! me again... now i know why your thread is 10 pages long mrs m.... cos i've been mentioned so many times.... y'see.. you've either got it or you haven't *swishes hair over shoulder like a l'oreal model*
 
clipcloppop said:
before i read all ten pages (ten pages mrs m?) i'll add my bit...

i'm giving up a very nice government job to retrain as a saddle fitter and a bowen therapist.

all in all, it's taking me about 2 years, and costing about 10k. not including any saddle stock. i'm in the early part of having my little business, and it's scary... because i have 3 kids and a big mortgage that rely on my salary...

but... i think it will be worth it... :D
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Hm. Sorry about the ten pages hun - I decided to reply to each post as they all had a point to make :D

There's been a lot of focus on me considering doing a bit of teaching, but that is the way of these things. I will pm you if that's okay?

The money side is fine, so long as I keep doing a bit of what I'm doing now :D. It's a limited company with people and obligations, I can't just 'stop' it; everything will take time, hence it being a contemplation of what I could do :D. The Bowen idea was because I've had a few recommendations re. LC and Bowen, then I liked the fact that it has the human element. I like that it all ties together :)
 
I'm sorry as didn't want to be the voice of gloom!

I second Echo Bravo's idea - you wouldn't need to advertise as you would be beating all the HHOs off with a big stick! Not that there would be much riding going on as we would all be in the tack room clustered round the hot choccy machine listening to your words of wisdom...............

(Make sure the stables are nice and big as if you do the hot choccy with whipped cream and flakes we may all need maxi cobs/ shire crosses)
 
MrsMozart said:
The Bowen idea was because I've had a few recommendations re. LC and Bowen, then I liked the fact that it has the human element. I like that it all ties together :)
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i liked that tie too. although, before i did it, i cursed having to train as a human therapist first... the thought of touching people made me shudder... but I LOVE IT. :D

i'll pm you my email address, so you can ask lots of questions... :)
 
I am an AI and worked with horses years ago, teaching, schooling breaking etc etc you name it I did it. Then I got fed up with **** pay and being outside all the time in the cold. It spoilt my enjoyment of horses so I gave it up for a more comfy office job and rode for pleasure (tbh still doing quite a lot of what I'd done before bar the teaching).

Anyway long story short, once I had my son I thought long and hard about getting back in to it and started teaching again to see if I still enjoyed it. BUT I found that it ate into my horse time and that I was riding less and less. So I ditched that idea and just ride/school my share horse. Making your hobby your job doesn't always work. Just my epereince, FWIW.

Whilst I think SusieT was quite rude, I do agree that from the pictures you have posted on this site I wouldn't have had even an inkling that you have all the experience you say you have. Not a critiscism, but something to beware of when advertising yourself online - I love your posts and your enthusiam.

And one other thing ... not quite sure how to say this, so I'll just go ahead and say it. It's an observation, nothing more. Since I joined this forum just over a year ago you have been "broken" quite a few times (I know it's just bad luck, but that's horses) but from the sound of it you can carry on in your current job - how would you cope in your present broken state if you had to fit saddles/manipulate horsy backs/stand in a menage and teach people?

Just some food for thought, seeing as I can't offer hot choccy or cookies due to total lack of food in the house as per!
 
jodie3 said:
I'm sorry as didn't want to be the voice of gloom!

I second Echo Bravo's idea - you wouldn't need to advertise as you would be beating all the HHOs off with a big stick! Not that there would be much riding going on as we would all be in the tack room clustered round the hot choccy machine listening to your words of wisdom...............

(Make sure the stables are nice and big as if you do the hot choccy with whipped cream and flakes we may all need maxi cobs/ shire crosses)
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Lol. Works for me hun :D :D :D
 
Wobblywibble said:
I am an AI and worked with horses years ago, teaching, schooling breaking etc etc you name it I did it. Then I got fed up with **** pay and being outside all the time in the cold. It spoilt my enjoyment of horses so I gave it up for a more comfy office job and rode for pleasure (tbh still doing quite a lot of what I'd done before bar the teaching).

Anyway long story short, once I had my son I thought long and hard about getting back in to it and started teaching again to see if I still enjoyed it. BUT I found that it ate into my horse time and that I was riding less and less. So I ditched that idea and just ride/school my share horse. Making your hobby your job doesn't always work. Just my epereince, FWIW.

Whilst I think SusieT was quite rude, I do agree that from the pictures you have posted on this site I wouldn't have had even an inkling that you have all the experience you say you have. Not a critiscism, but something to beware of when advertising yourself online - I love your posts and your enthusiam.

And one other thing ... not quite sure how to say this, so I'll just go ahead and say it. It's an observation, nothing more. Since I joined this forum just over a year ago you have been "broken" quite a few times (I know it's just bad luck, but that's horses) but from the sound of it you can carry on in your current job - how would you cope in your present broken state if you had to fit saddles/manipulate horsy backs/stand in a menage and teach people?

Just some food for thought, seeing as I can't offer hot choccy or cookies due to total lack of food in the house as per!
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That's why I gave it up all those years ago. Definately have all that experience ;) :). Years of it. Pity it feels like it's all wasted now :(. Dizz is definately not an easy ride. If I didn't have the experience I'd have given up on her ages ago. I used to be the only one that would get on her, other my instructor, who rode her once (though did say she'd ride again). As to being broken, yes that is a consideration that has crossed my mind :). I've been broken three times in the last four years (since getting back into horses) - one slip on the road, one silly fall, and one fall where I should have known better and not been riding (ill), but your point is noted and has gone in The Game Plan :)
 
Life is too short not to chase your dreams, even if they keep slipping away you just need to saddle up a mad thoroughbred and gallop as fast as you can after them, ignore any doubts people have in you, jump over any objects that fall in your way, go out and live life how you want, if you think you can become an instructor, or a bowen therapist then go for it :D And good luck and hot chocolate every step of the way ;)
 
MrsM, you have a Game Plan! I am jealous, I haven't had one of those for a couple of years and it is scary:eek: I need a Game Plan!

Seems to me that you are considering this very carefully and taking everything into account, which gives you the best possible chance of success:)

I would also sound a slight note of caution about making your hobby into your job too, but you are obviously not rushing into this, so I'm sure this will also be considered.

Oh, and how about a Game Plan supplying service as another sideline?;)
 
redmone said:
Hello Mrs M!

Read some of the posts above, not all, so apologise if I'm duplicating something already said.

Are you currently employed or self employed??? If self employed then disregard my advice!!! I'm assuming you'd be striking out on your own rather than working for someone.

I'm very new to this horsey business, but I'm an accountant by trade. A couple of points to make - apologies if they've already been said!!

1. Being self employed kicks the fun out of a lot of things. It's lovely being paid for something you love doing, but making money out of it adds worry and stress which reduces the enjoyment.

2. Now is not a good financial climate to "go" self employed. And starting a business which is based on a luxury rather than an essential (hope that makes sense) would be hard work. You're very wise to consider continuing your current work until you establish a client base.

3. Never underestimate the time and effort being self employed takes, and the toll on your family and life in general. We had our own business (a shop) for over 10 years, and closed it just before the recession (jumped before we were pushed!!). We now have a life again - weekends, evenings, holidays!!!!

4. Getting a salary is lovely!!! BUT being your own boss is lovely too!!

I say follow your heart, but keep your bases covered!!!

Don't let anyone talk you out of it, if it's what you want!!! :D
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Thank you :D. Well done on getting out before you got bitten! :)

I'm a director of a limited company... :D. We have a main stream income, the company, and a few side things that are bubbling to fruition (at least that's the cunning plan lol). I already have no weekends, evenings, or days off. I work when I'm ill. I've worked from hospital beds, on the day of my Mother's funeral, over Birthdays and through all sorts of rubbish that Life has thrown in our general direction. I'm not self-employed, but the company is our life line, and as we branch out, it is other peoples too, so I have to take very good care of it :). I say I had six months off last year, but that was off-site and not at the beck and call of an over-riding client, which was a luxury :D :D. Still worked on the other stuff though, but could fit it round the horsese :D, so that made it okay :D :D.

Your points though are definately noted. I know that anything else would require training and I have to work out whether we're at the stage where I could start it. I have started a law degree twice and a PhD once, but just ran out of time so had to stop.

It's all contemplation as to what could be done, what the opportunities are, what I would enjoy and what would keep my brain working. I've worked with horses before, six days a week, seven 'till seven every day (for the grand sum of £25 a week lol). I've been on things that have bucked, bronced and bust a gut. I've lived and worked on a ranch (now that was fun, though hard work lol). I've had a hoot for most of my life, one way or another (and sometimes both at once lol). I've written books. I've played with lion cubs and taken chimpanzees for walks (had a chimps tea party for my tenth Birthday lol). I've travelled. I've, on the whole, had a very interesting time of it :D. I might not give up the day job, I might rekindle my drive for it, or I might go and take up scuba diving, or I might teach motorbiking, or Aikido, or who knows what :D. Maybe I'll sell up, buy something outright (now that would be on a wee island where it rained all day lol) and spend my days painting the raindrops :D :D :D There'll always be a pot of hot choccy on the stove for visitors :D :D
 
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MrsMozart said:
taken chimpanzees for walks (had a chimps tea party for my tenth Birthday lol).

That is so cool!

I've travelled. I've, on the whole, had a very interesting time of it :D. I might not give up the day job, I might rekindle my drive for it, or I might go and take up scuba diving, or I might teach motorbiking, or Aikido

Ooh! Can you teach me that too? When I forcibly drag you down to London of course...

, or who knows what :D. Maybe I'll sell up, by something outright (now that would be on a wee island where it rained all day lol) and spend my days painting the raindrops :D :D :D There'll always be a pot of hot choccy on the stove for visitors :D :D
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Yay for hot choccy! :D
 
Sounds as though you've done a fair old bit with your life from your last post, but some of that is obviously back in your childhood and we have all done such things in the past. I'm afraid I agree with the 5 or 6 other posters that feel from all your photos posted on the forum you look very novice, I know you say you haven't done that much for a few years cos of family but you don't look as though you've ever been an experienced rider, 'that' position on a horse is never lost.

Not wishing to be mean at all but you do seem to have an inflated view of your abilities, teachers have to be qualified and insured and most children prefer to be taught with other children in proper riding schools, you can't just set yourself up as a sort of 'self help' advisor with other peoples children and their safety.

I wish you luck in whatever you decide I'm a great believer in following your dreams but calling everyone 'hun' and rambling on about hot chocolate all day long wouldn't fill a lot of people with confidence regarding your abilities, also anyone who works such long hours and has such a full life riding etc wouldn't have all the time you have to post on here! you'd have to give that up for a start, I think you are probably just day dreaming, no law aganst that.
 
Harley.Soda.Chalks said:
Life is too short not to chase your dreams, even if they keep slipping away you just need to saddle up a mad thoroughbred and gallop as fast as you can after them, ignore any doubts people have in you, jump over any objects that fall in your way, go out and live life how you want, if you think you can become an instructor, or a bowen therapist then go for it :D And good luck and hot chocolate every step of the way ;)
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Ta hun :D. Will a mad DWB do??? :D :D :D

I will, in my own sweet way, go my own sweet way :D, but it's always good to canvas opinion, there's bound to be something to be learnt from the exercise and folks have indeed come up with some good points :D :D :D
 
Rouletterose said:
Sounds as though you've done a fair old bit with your life from your last post, but some of that is obviously back in your childhood and we have all done such things in the past. I'm afraid I agree with the 5 or 6 other posters that feel from all your photos posted on the forum you look very novice, I know you say you haven't done that much for a few years cos of family but you don't look as though you've ever been an experienced rider, 'that' position on a horse is never lost.

Not wishing to be mean at all but you do seem to have an inflated view of your abilities, teachers have to be qualified and insured and most children prefer to be taught with other children in proper riding schools, you can't just set yourself up as a sort of 'self help' advisor with other peoples children and their safety.

I wish you luck in whatever you decide I'm a great believer in following your dreams but calling everyone 'hun' and rambling on about hot chocolate all day long wouldn't fill a lot of people with confidence regarding your abilities, also anyone who works such long hours and has such a full life riding etc wouldn't have all the time you have to post on here! you'd have to give that up for a start, I think you are probably just day dreaming, no law aganst that.
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How incredibly, bizarrely rude! You sound like a jealous misery guts
 
Rouletterose said:
...I wish you luck in whatever you decide I'm a great believer in following your dreams but calling everyone 'hun' and rambling on about hot chocolate all day long wouldn't fill a lot of people with confidence regarding your abilities, also anyone who works such long hours and has such a full life riding etc wouldn't have all the time you have to post on here! you'd have to give that up for a start, I think you are probably just day dreaming, no law aganst that.
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Er, rambling? Calling someone 'hun'?

Is that really all that defines a person and/or their ability to teach/instill confidence in others?

Now, forgive me if this sounds silly/ridiculous/whatever, but I have never met MrsMozart in real life, yet she has already helped me further my riding, instilled confidence in me when I've been really down, and just been generally a lovely person to know.

I am a full time student (well, going into Year 12 in September) going to be doing my A-levels and ride, dog-walk and work on a city farm, yet somehow manage to still post on here :eek::rolleyes:

AFAIK, MrsM hasnt said shes starting her training on Monday. She is exploring her options.

Follow your dreams MrsM, while still being as fab and sensible as you are! x
 
If you want your hobby to become your job, then go for it. However if you want to keep your well paid job and keep horses as an enjoyable hobby then stay doing your doing.

Life is too short to be doing a job you no longer enjoy...you spend so long at work you might as well do something you want to get out of bed for.
There is more to life than money so if you can afford to live to the lifestyle your used to and have a job you love then lucky you.

What does your partner think?
 
G&T said:
How incredibly, bizarrely rude! You sound like a jealous misery guts
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Only agreeing with quite a few other posters on this thread, everyones entitled to their opinion, or are you one of those that unless everyones saying yes, yes, yes then they are in the wrong.
 
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