Is it pointless hoping for a job with horses?

[Sol]

At home ill, thinking about all sorts of stuff I probably shouldn't! But curious all the same...

I'm nearly 16 (friday!) and so currently working out what I'll take for my A levels if I do stay on, which is more than likely.
My dad would much rather me stay on and go to university etc. and my mum doesn't mind what I choose.
And I'm sure you can guess - I want to work with horses.

I'm not really from a horsey background, mum used to ride once upon a time but nothing more. Nor do I get to spend that much time around 'horse people' now, despite having my own horse. I don't get to compete much yet as he is young and green, and just not ready and never had the right horse in the past.
I've helped out at riding schools (also did work experience at one), used to ride at a local dealers regularly schooling the smaller naughty ponies, and have schooled other peoples ponies too and will ride most things! At the moment though, I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere and don't really know where I'm going!

I -think- I'd most like to maybe be a trainer or freelance instructor (have no idea how I'd go about setting up my own riding school sounds like too much money needed! Win the lottery!?) or breaking/schooling is something I'm drawn to

I'm pretty open minded - to different teaching/schooling methods, Natural horsemanship, would even look at working as a groom, or at a stud, race stables etc. or even options like journalist/photographer covering equine events (I do quite enjoy writing/photography/art that kinda stuff)

Basically, at the end of that bloody essay (oops!) I guess my question is if you have/had a job with horses, how did you get into it and how did you know what you wanted to do with horses?!

Or basically, if you can point me in any direction whatsoever, I'd be eternally grateful - I've had too many people going on at me recently!

 

[beckieswann]

I finished my A levels and wanted to work with horses, having worked with horses for a year at a local riding school, obtaining my stage 1,2 and PTT I decided I wanted to get a degree and keep horses as a hobby more than a job.

However, there are so many jobs to do with horses these days, sales, marketing, business opportunities etc.. and even though my degree hasn't got me experience it's made me channel what I want to do in the future, which is still work with the equine side but perhaps do marketing, or nutrition or rehabilitation - there are so many options, and if you don't know yet what you want to do I suggest staying in education until you have decided!

There are a lot more degree options avaliable, particularly if you want to go into equine management, you could do a degree in that which is still a BA hons and is a recognised qualifications even if you don't choose to work with horses. Same as Equine Science, you might find a particular module you enjoy most and wish to do it in the future.

Even though degrees don't account for a lot anymore, they do help point you in the right direction. If you wanted to be an instructor, I would suggest getting training at a BHS accredited school.

I hope that helps in someway, and goodluck in what you choose.

 

[Onyxia]

At 15 I did work experiance at a riding school,they offered me a job and I took it.
Loved the job,diddnt work out for personal reasons but it was exalent experiance at a lovely yard.
10 years on,I would love to go back to it.
Thankffully have OH's backing or it would be impossable!

It would probably be a good idea to sit your A levels so you ave that route open to you should you want it later,but it seems pointless to go to uni if you are going to finish and take a yard job which wont use the degree.

 

[*hic*]

Boring and pragmatic reply from a mother who's just despatched her youngest child to university this month.

Working with horses is great - until you feel lousy, it's wet,cold and windy, you have plenty of other people's horses to look after but can't afford one of your own yet you're still working seven days a week.

If you are at all academic and if your parents are prepared to finance you then do the A levels and have a rethink then. You could always try a bit of a bargaining process with your parents to include lessons with your horse as a sweetener for staying at school and keeping your options and their ambitions for you open. If you don't get to mix with horsy people do you belong to Pony Club or a Riding Club? If not, then consider joining one or the other.

 

[Booboos]

It's good to think ahead and it sounds like you have many options!

If you are interested in teaching I think the best route are the BHS qualifications and working towards your BHSI. My personal view, although this is not something I have done, is that the best experience is to train at one of the really big centres, e.g. Yorkshire Riding Centre, or Talland. They have years of experience of training pupils and I think it's the best background.

Equine photography also sounds like a good idea, especially as something you can develop as a side line and see how it goes.

 

[kirstie]

I would seriously think about it first. And definately stay on at school and get your A levels first.
The money is very low, hours long, low recognition and bloody hard work. You really are better off getting good qualifications, a decent job and then being able to afford to have riding as your hobby.
To become a freelance instructor, you are best off going to a yard as a working pupil, where you can go through your BHS stage examss and PTT. This will take quite a while, and you must be prepared to work very hard for very very little money. A decent riding school or competition yard is your best bet.
Once you are qualified to teach, it is still difficult to pick up wprk without having made a name for yourself, for example in competition. Even then, it would be near impossible for you to be able to live financially comfortable. Also remember, most people want their lessons when it is convenient for them, often unsocial working hours.
I'm sorry if this has come across negatively, but I have been through it all myself, and really wish that I had stuck at uni when I was younger, instead of going through a complete career change now.
f you want more details pm me, there is plenty more to be said!

 

[Magicmillbrook]

Heres another point of veiw from a mum whos daughter has just finished her A'levels and is now totaly 'schooled out' Halfway through her Alevels she decided that she didnt want to do what she had chosen and struggled just to finish. She is now having a total break and is working for her dad.

Have you thought about going to agricultural college - You could do the classic BHS studies or NVQ. I think the NVQ route is good because if you do a year and decide its not for you you still have a qualification, if you like it you can carry on up to HND and degree level by changing modules. I would do sopme browsing to see whats in your area. A friend of my daughters did this and did bits of work experience in all sorts of areas, a stud, show yard, hunt stables and has now been bitten by the racing bug.

I wouldnt get to bogged down at the monemt. I didnt decide what I wanted to do until I was well into my 20's.

 

[amcowell]

I work for a well know Equestrian/Country brand of clothing. I combine my love of design with a subject (horses) that i'm really interested in. I even get to meet some famous faces (from the equestrian world!) Although seriously, it's not all that glamorous!
I know it's not everything...but the money is a lot better than actually working with horses.
Definitely consider getting the best qualifications you can, if your career path with horses doesn't work out, you'll always have something to fall back on.

 

[lizness]

Hello,
I have worked with horses on off for the last couple of years and am now working part time with them alongside running my own business making leather goods. In my opinion at my level full time you need a back up plan to cover when you get older or if illness/ children etc which is why I have gone along this route. However if yo are teaching this is a bit different.

I would definatly do your A-levels. How about doing your stage one or pony club exams whilst doing your A-levels this will give you a bit of a head start if you do go to do your exams?
Hope this makes sense
Liz

 

[Sol]

Firstly, thank you all for your posts so far, it's really good to hear opinions from horse people rather than parents and teachers who really only give one side of the story!

I understand that it's well and trully worth staying on at least for my A levels, and I would be at a loss if I didn't do them anyway as right now, I don't have a clue what I want to do and need the time to think about it!

KJG, I think you've pointed out one of the things that I keep coming to - I don't have any real competition experience and that's one hell of a negative it seems. Maybe I could remind Corinne Collins that I used to ride on her yard and she might offer something!? xD I wish... I would quite like to at least get some experience working around people who compete if not competing myself but that could be difficult.

So far I'm thinking A levels, BHS exams, and gain as much experience as possible! All else is limited I think as obviously I can't drive and have my own horse to care for (though I have considered selling him say when I finish my A levels as his schooling should be sufficient by then I do hope and I plan to get him competing when he's ready!).

Thanks again for all your thoughts!

You've got me thinking already!

 

[Sprout]

I am watching this post with interest, as my daughter sits her GCSE's next year, and then is hoping to go to Sparsholt College to do Equine Studies and Horse Management.

I have mixed feelings .......

 

[brighthair]

[ QUOTE ]
I am watching this post with interest, as my daughter sits her GCSE's next year, and then is hoping to go to Sparsholt College to do Equine Studies and Horse Management.

I have mixed feelings .......

[/ QUOTE ]

depends what she eventually wants to do. I did my GCSES and A/S levels and then went to equine college. I have a National Diploma, a Foundation Degree and a BA Hons degree. Out of all of us that did the degree, not one is working with horses

 

[Dubsie]

It's a difficult world out there and certainly as nowadays it's the 'norm' to get A levels and go to Uni, you could put yourself at a disadvantage compared to others without at least Alevels if you have the ability to get them - if there are a lot of applicants for a job those without tend to get put in the 'no' pile when there are plenty of applicants better qualified. Doesn't matter so much once you've got a reputation and experience, but could easily disadvantage you at the start.
Likewise any work experience you can gain now while you have the time is worth a lot later on if relevant to the field in which you wish to work. You could look up local RS, racing stables, studs, stables etc and ask if they have any work vacancies for weekends or if they can offer you work experience in the school holidays. This might help you decide if eg being an instructor/groom is for you. You could also email a horse/pony magazine and say you'd be interested in a pony/horse journalist job and ask what qualifications would be needed, ask if you could shadow a reporter in the holidays to find out more about the job (They may ignore you or say no, but you never know, there is Olympia coming up after all!)

Many bigger RS do offer working pupil positions straight from school, daughter's RS do this:
http://www.wellington-riding.co.uk/template7.asp?PageID=151 Do bear in mind you can always go back to doing something like this after gettting Alevels/degrees etc. and at some colleges/RS you can gain the qualifications on a part time basis or short course basis.

Alternatively you could consider a more general qualification at an equine or agricultural college eg National Diploma in Horse Management
http://www.bca.ac.uk/courses/ft/equestrian.htm
This is 2 years and the equivalent of 3 Alevels (so would keep Dad happy as well as being horsey for you), so you may prefer something like this rather than continuing more generally with Alevels at school, although it might narrow down your choices for work at the end compared with 3 A levels from school eg English, Art and Business Studies, which could lead you to a more traditional degree in a less specialised subject, meaning you could work with horses or work in a different field just as easily.

You may then choose to continue your studying further, and specialise then by a degree in an equestrian field eg http://www.hartpury.ac.uk/Hartpury-Colle...s)-~slash~-FdA/

I would at this stage talk to your careers advisor at school and see what info they can come up with. And whilst you're off ill and on the internet (hope you feel better soon) I'd look up all the equine colleges online, and your local colleges, see what courses they have to offer (equine, journalist, photography) and what they have to offer that might interest you.

Happy researching!

 

[JVB]

Another perspective for you...

I've always been horse mad and had my own since I was about 12, but did the norm of doing A levels and going to Uni, course not horse related, did Art as also loved that as a subject, kept the horses as a hobby.

Now at nearly 30 I have a good 'corporate' job and earn good money.... but what I wouldn't do to swap my choices and have not bothered with Uni ( too much debt, too little learnt) and stuck with horses, I could have gone and worked as a groom and started competing and be doing the main thing in life I really love, instead I work long hard hours and struggling to fit in my two horses and competing at only a local level.

it is a difficult decision you have to make, but think long and hard about, many other relevant points have been made and it all depends on what style of life you want, and what you want to do job wise day to day.

But I would say, having got qualifications coming out of my ears they are not always what they are cracked up to be, nor will they get you the dream job you want, that takes luck, determination and hard work.

I would always that you can go to Uni any time in life and it's best not to go until you know exactly what you want to study there, wish I'd waited before making the wrong decision - hindsight is an amazing thing!

Good luck!

 

[Mithras]

Why don't you go to university and work with horses in the holidays and/or gap year? I worked as a stable lass with racehorses in Newmarket, Epsom, Belguim and Ireland in the long summer holidays and nearer home at Easter and Christmas and avoided getting into student debt. On my gap year after graduating, I worked with showjumpers in Switzerland. I got better, more interesting jobs with horses than if I'd gone in via the longer, more formal BHS route and I still got my degree. The job in Switzerland was a fab opportunity to ride someone's showjumpers and perhaps I shouldn't have gone back to Scotland to do my postgrad and ultimately qualify as a solicitor, since I had m degree by then anyway. But I would urge you to still get a degree, possibly in a non-related subject as it does not really hold you back in the horseworld and may help you be taken more seriously. It can be very hard to ever be anything more than a groom and get horses to compete, unless you are very good or very lucky.

 

[Sol]

I'm amazed and extraordinarily happy with the number of replies! You've all been so helpful, I really do appreciate it!

It would probably take me hours to reply to all of you, but I have read all replies and every single bit of info is worthwhile!

I'm now itching to email a few people and will definitely have another chat with the careers advisor at school this week!

May also forward the link to this to both of my parents, hope you don't mind

I think it would be interesting for them to understand rather than me have to explain all of that myself!

 

[milliepops]

[ QUOTE ]


Working with horses is great - until you feel lousy, it's wet,cold and windy, you have plenty of other people's horses to look after but can't afford one of your own yet you're still working seven days a week.


[/ QUOTE ]

This is what made me quit working with horses full time, and go and get a 'normal' job. I worked at a rescue centre and while I loved the work (summer and winter tbh), I was just too tired and too skint when I finished in the evenings to do a proper job with my own horse. To make ends meet I had to do extra work on evenings and weekends - it was just so frustrating.

I went back to uni, finished my degree and now have a graduate job and plenty of time (well, almost plenty

) to do my own horse. I still do a bit of teaching and clipping when I feel like it, but I can say no and still afford to feed myself now!

If you really want to to it, I would say you need to get out there and get plenty of experience in all different fields. Firstly, you will get an idea of whether you could cope with and enjoy mucking out every day/teaching 5 year old kids/schooling broncos etc - and secondly each experience will make you a better horsewoman even if not strictly related to what you end up doing.

Best of luck, whichever you choose. From my own experience, I'd agree with the poster who suggested doing uni first - particularly if your parents are willing to fund you through a degree. It's hard to find the cash to go back and do it all later on.

 

[Happel]

Difficuly decision... For me the certainty of being able to get a job was most important... Chose to go to Uni, got a masters degree and have a well paid corporate job.

Now have funds to own and compete my lovely horse, who keeps me sane!

Wish I would have not hated by biology teacher as much in school, as I should have become a vet - there is definately demand and it is well paid - would have allowed the dream of making your hobby your job...

Anyway, cannot complain as I can pretty much do whatever I want, and if I look at the money staff at my yard get (and see their miserable faces in the rain) or the hours my vet makes...

Good luck!!!

 

[Kat]

I'd suggest doing your A-Levels and doing a degree in a subject you love. Do your BHS stages alongside this and you get all the options.

You may find that you do decide to do something traditionally horsey and the BHS exams are the crucial thing but the Degree and A-Levels will always be there for you to fall back on should you become unable to work with horses (like my friend who severely broke her ankle whilst training as an instructor and was never able to finish her exams).

Alternatively you may decide you'd rather get a job and keep horses as a hobby. Or you may find that your degree subject can be combined with horses for the best of both worlds!

I think 16 is too early to make any decisions that will limit you too much as so much can happen. Try to keep as many doors open as possible and get the best grades possible, that is the most important thing.

Consider that there are hundreds of horsey jobs out there not just being an instructor or groom. Think about:
Saddler
Farrier
EDT
Physio/chiro/therapist
Nutritionist
Vet
Vet nurse
Journalist
Photographer
Artist
Retail
Design
Event Management
Advertising
Insurance
Law
Transport

You can be involved in horses in so many ways, I even know someone who used to work for a company that made rubber matting and things and although it wasn't their main area they made matting for stables and surfaces for menages. That friend was a chemistry PHD.

Lots of exciting options!

 

[Hedwards]

You can always combine a qualification NVQ/HND or even a degree with the BHS exams, a lot of people did that while i was at uni - they were generally doing the HND in equine studies or the equine science degree. This way the had both an academic qualification and an industry recognised qualification...

 

[Hippona]

Ponderings here from a mum who wished she'd worked with horses, but now has a career well paid enough to be able to afford horses as a hobby....my daughter is only 7 but absolutely determined that she will have her own yard when grown-up.....she may change her mind, she may well not...

I always said I would encourage her to do what she wants, as I was deterred from working with horses for the reasons many people have already stated- rubbish hours/money and the hard work etc.....but if she wanted to go to Bishop Burton, which is near us...then I would I suppose allow it, hoping she would get a horse-related job not involving tedious slog etc lol!

Difficult one.... I would definately do the A-levels though, as a back-up if nothing else.

Good luck whatever you decide to do

 

[wench]

Definatly do your a-levels. If your not sure what you want to do when your older, do stuff you enjoy and will get good marks in. A sciency one would be good if you are thinking of doing something horsey after a-levels, but also leads into loads of other stuff.

 

[Faithkat]

My son went to Sparsholt for five years and did three horse courses but he's not working with horses, much as he would like to, he also like to eat! You've only to look at the ads in H&H where people are offering pitiful salaries like £14,000 a year to run a yard and expect all sorts of qualifications for that too. Unless you're living on the bank of Mum & Dad £14k is not a living wage.

 

[beckiebeckyboo]

i left school at 16 after my gcses and went to work with showjumpers, i was very lucky took my own with me and got to compete, ended up going to holland working on a very sucessful yard. i went to the states and the snow shows, it was fantastic and i would tell anyone to do the same. BUT I now have a family and im a pediatric nurse. i had to go to uni after my son was born so in hind sight going to uni first then following my horsey dreams would of been a better way of doing it. academicly though i wasnt that bright. so uni at that stage of my life would i think of been too hard. working with horses or competing, unless your up there with the top ones is a financial drain and really hard work. I have many fantastic friends from all over the world that i would never have met. but i can still remember the day i decided enough was enough, 12 weeks of shows just enough time at home to repack the lorry and away we went. i wanted a little normality and money!!!
i have a13 yearold son who competes nationaly but i so hope he stays at school to do his a levels and goes to uni, even though people say hes very talented and natural.
whatever you decide to do be happy and good luck

 

[Annagain]

I did the degree thing and now have a good job - without it I couldn't afford my horse so there's always that consideration.

My job is also quite stressful and sometimes when I've had a bad day and I go to see my horse and have a lovely few hourse I wish I could pack it all in and go and work with horses. Until I realise that it's my sancutary as things stand and if it was my job and it to stressed me out I'd have nothing to escape to.

Have you thought about going to uni to do a horsey course? Might keep everybody happy?

 

[JoJo_]

I did an ND in Horse Management then went on to start my BA Equine Studies but dropped out after the first year as I couldnt see it getting me very far. Employers were looking for experience. Everyone I know who did that degree are not working with horses or have a equine related job at the end of it. Many are struggling to get into a good job at the moment too but I found an office job which pays well so I could afford my own horse. So dont think an equine related degree will definitely get you a good equine related job.

Most equine jobs dont pay very well, even the office jobs like BHS etc are at the low end of administrator pay. Maybe have a think about if you want a better paid job so that you can have horses as your hobby or if you are set on working with horses. If you are good academically then maybe studying to be a physio or something along those lines would suit.

 

[fatpiggy]

Unless you are working as a lecturer at a horsey college or uni, you can pretty well bet you will be working 6 days a week, dawn to dusk (or later), earning the minimum wage, and spending your life knackered and filthy. This is fine when you are 21, but can you imagine being 51 and still like that? In many cases, it is little more than slave labour. Of course there are other jobs in the equine industry, such as working for feed manufacturers and clothing makers, but you will need a degree regardless. Keep your options open!

 

[cattysmith]

If you want to do it for money, then no.

If you want to do it purely because you love it then yes.

Generally (if you're going to work as a groom) It's hard work, long hours, little pay, all weather, physically exhasuting....but I really do think it's addictive and it does make you feel incredibly fit!

The times I've done it I've enjoyed some aspects and hated others but I do know it's something that I'm always going to go back to.

I did an HND in Horse Management and then a degree in Equine Science. After I left uni I worked in an office for a few years which was alright, but then I left to work on a yard and although it took alot out of me (and I was commuting to the place 60 miles each day!) I did enjoy it. I wasn't there for a very long time because I fell pregnant with my first and haven't worked since (number 3 on the way). OH is a farmer and we have a farm so I do hope that one day I'll do my own thing but it's never going to be making me ££££s!

 

[JanetGeorge]

[ QUOTE ]

Basically, at the end of that bloody essay (oops!) I guess my question is if you have/had a job with horses, how did you get into it and how did you know what you wanted to do with horses?!

Or basically, if you can point me in any direction whatsoever, I'd be eternally grateful - I've had too many people going on at me recently!

[/ QUOTE ]

I feel for you (oh I wish I was 16 again - knowing what I do now!

) I'm now nearly (ssshhh!) 60 - I've spent half of my working life with horses (and the rest doing 'proper' jobs). I left school at 16 with NO qualifications and went from horse job to office job (when I needed a rest and to recharge the bank account!) I've had horrendous bosses, sh*t jobs with long, hard hours and bu**er all money, and a few nice horse jobs that I loved!

I've done pretty well for someone with a brain but no qualifications; including running my own business, holding down a high profile media job, and ending up as acting Chief Exec at the BHS for 8 months (after nearly 3 years as head of public affairs there) before 'retiring' to run my own stud (only possible due to a long suffering husband who earns a lot of money and doesn't have time to spend it!

)

BUT I've been lucky - and I have a natural talent for bullsh*t which has got me jobs I wasn't 'qualified' for - and the brain to make a success of them! And I worked at a time when that was enough!

MUCH harder now - everyone and his dog has a degree in SOMETHING - and it's much harder to progress without one. I encourage my staff to get further training: my rider (aged 32 and very talented at backing and schooling) is training to be an EDT - after all, who wants to be riding breakers at 60! My senior girl groom is doing an Equine degree by distance learning - so she'll have SOMETHING behind her. And I have an 18 year old (male) student who has cr*p GCSE's and wants to be a professional rider - he has a teensy chance of making it - but in the meantime I'm pushing him hard into doing NVQs and BHS stages so he has SOMETHING to fall back on if he isn't the next Mark Todd!

If your parents will support you, I'd STRONGLY recommend you get a degree - perhaps Equine Science (BSc) if you get decent A levels. You then have something to fall back on and a lot more options open to you if 'working with horses' doesn't work out!

Don't know about other colleges but Moreton Morrell's Equine Science course has the option to do a year out (after 2nd year) working in the industry. I've had a student from there with me for 12 months (she just went back to do her final year) and she's gained a good grounding in stud work, broken in a young horse (which she bought and has taken back to College with her), improved her riding 100% etc. etc. AND has the practical experience that will make an employer look far more favourably upon her for a 'horsey' job if that's what she decides to pursue (which looks likely!)

Sorry for that essay - and good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Wobblywibble]

I didn't know what I wanted to do when I was 16 and guess what, I'm 48 now and still don't know!!

I moved back to the UK and so changed shcools halfway through my A levels and hated the new place for a number of reasons. Went to an unknown riding school during the Easter holidays and came away with a job as Head Girl! It was an opportunity to do something familiar and get away from the confusing environment that was my new school. Three years later I was fed up of being cold, tired, overworked and underpaid. Yes I got to ride some lovely horses and compete but all for other people, no time or energy for my own.

Got myself a nice secure, boring office job to pay for my horse addiction, but the lack of A levels (and in more recent times a degree) has definitely restricted the jobs I've been able to apply for.

When my son was young, I worked part time and did start to set myself up as a freelance instructor but found that teaching was eating into my riding time so that was a no go!

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy enough and earn enough to fund the horse (just) BUT if I had the chance again, I'd get the qualifications under my belt first, then think about what to do. Yes you can go to Uni at any age, but as you get older more of your life gets in the way and I think you'd have a lot more fun and a lot more in common with other students as a 17/18yr old at Uni rather than a middle aged catcher-up.

There are so many more opportunities for working with horses today that don't involve getting cold and wet - take your time and the right thing for you will present itself.