Is it too late to start working with horses?

[StormyPegasus]

Hi all.

This may be my anxiety running high and a little bit of a long story to get out there, but I'd like to know if anyone else has been in similar positions or has any advice.

I want to go into working with horses as a groom, but I have a number of things that may prevent me from finding a placement and I know the world is more competitive than it's ever been.
My hurdles are: I am 34, I would need a live-in position, I am currently too heavy to ride and likely will be on the heavier side for life due to Lipoedema (means it is more difficult for me to lose weight in my lower half even with regular exercise and diets), I am also 5ft 10", my horse experience background has been very inconsistent where I feel I am stuck as a beginner at the moment.

Would stable owners take me on like this? Or I just dont bother?

Am I too late to start doing this life change or do 30 year olds not get hired? I have no idea.

Spoiler: Feel free to skip this part, its my equine encounters and experiences

I must note that I am a horseless-horse girl, Ive been obsessed my life, but never really had my own or feel I've had enough experience: I had an elderly pony when I was very small, but he was a pet and lived in a field whilst we had him then onto livery, in school I had lessons but they never went further than canter or pole work, followed by hacking where I had to learn to jump on the fly. There was minimum care education during this time too. I did not start learning how to care for horses until I was 15 where I did a term volunteering at an RDA stables.

Then nothing until 2 years ago, when I met my ex. i was with him for a year, he was a groundsman and HGV driver for a polo yard, with his own pony (mini shetland mare) and horses (shire mare and ex polo ponies). It was living with him that I had an awakening that this is what I wanted to do, it felt so right to be in a horse yard environment. I had several regrets and missed opportunities though. I should have offered to train/work in the polo yard as a groom since I lived on site with my ex. I passed off chances for the head groom to show me how polo tack is done because I assumed at the time I was going to be there much longer and do it later. I mainly tagged along and helped out with transporting the horses and attending equine rescue call outs.

With my ex's horses, all I wanted was a crash course in care - I had basic know how but no reassurance that I was doing it right or if i needed correcting because he had other issues going on. Towards the end when he had depression, I was looking after the horses best I could with what little I knew and just adapting to a mix of monkey see monkey do and common sense.

Just the time I spent living with my ex on that polo yard told me this is the right thing for me to do. I am not afraid of the hard work, in fact I crave it! Fully willing to learn what I can. I'm already horse obsessed.
I am also signed up to do courses whilst I am still in Cornwall, which includes equine care, groundwork and equine first aid. I would be seeking to do BHS levels as well. Think of it as my way of catching up when Ive not had the typical equine background.

A few friends of mine have suggested I look for stud farms to ask for groom work. So any further pointers would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to stay around the Southwest (Somerset preferred), or see about going back to Berkshire. It's just that there were things done in Polo that I didn't morally agree with, so a little hesitant to get back into the polo world - it may have just been that particular yard though.

~
Thank you for reading. I'm sorry if it sounds like an anxious mess.


I can't seem to go back to a regular townie job, its like my soul rebels against it or im having an early mid-life crisis.

 

[Equi]

To be blunt I don’t think you have the experience/ability most places would require for a live in groom. Sorry. But that doesn’t mean you can’t work with horses, have a look about at volunteering with a local charity or the like.

 

[Goldie's mum]

My advice would be to try to do some voluntary work so people can get to know you and see that you have a good work ethic. Either that, or obtain a qualification.

I AM NOT SAYING THIS DESCRIBES YOU but potential employers will probably have had the same experience as me..
We are not in a horse business , we farm. Over the years we have had a steady stream of people from other backgrounds wanting to start again in a farming career. For a long time we invited them to come for a short trial but we just say "no" now because so many of them clearly had no idea whatsoever what work is.

One turned up in office shoes, one was happy to walk beside me talking as I worked and seemed certain that was what work is, so many were late i couldn't even list them - punctuality was the exception, several didn't bother at all after the first day, one turned up drunk. I could go on!

Sadly we don't feel we can spare the time to even start a conversation with anyone who doesn't have qualifications or experience and references now.

 

[dapple_grey]

It's never too late! I'd recommend the National Stud in Newmarket who run a 'Entry to Stud Employment' 6 week course (fully funded) which is aimed at people with little to no horsey experience. I know a few people who have done it and many went on to work in stud farms once the course ended. You don't have to stay in racing if it's not your thing but it's a great first step - bonus that you can live in whilst studying too. https://nationalstud.co.uk/education/courses-and-training

 

[Goldie's mum]

I would be seeking to do BHS levels as well.

I'm old and out of touch but can you do BHS levels without actually riding , now?

 

[humblepie]

I was going to suggest the National Stud or speak with the British Racing School/National Horseracing College to discuss ideas and options. Racing has a pay scale, bonuses, and a union so worth looking at. Most employers are happy to help people learn provided they are a good team player, keen to learn and reliable.

 

[blitznbobs]

to be totally frank then you are going to struggle for a live in position. To get live in you have to be competent to deal with anything that turns up. On a stud which is the market that might be suggested that means you have to be able to deal with foaling alone and knowing when to intervene, what to do and when to call the vet… live in accommodation is expensive to provide so the business owner would only do it for a really good reason. A general groom job would be much easier to find but a live in non riding position not so much

 

[rhino]

I would be seeking to do BHS levels as well.

I'm old and out of touch but can you do BHS levels without actually riding , now?

They are split into Care and Ride sections at each level.

BHS qualifications and Stages | The British Horse Society

Browse through our directory of world-leading qualifications to begin or further develop your equestrian career.

www.bhs.org.uk

 

[Midlifecrisis]

How about setting yourself up as a freelancer to bring in/turn out/muck out/ holding for vet/farrier/dentist. You will need insurance and will probably have to sign on and start renting but reliable help is a god send for working owners. Also I know women who house/pet sit too.

 

[Squidge_94]

As someone who worked with horses for nearly 15yrs, including racers, competition horses and stud yards, and has finally got out of it.. don't bother! The money is poor and even less for live in, a lot of places treat you like rubbish, winter is horrid and you need very thick skin!
The majority of places couldn't care less about qualifications either, they just want someone who can turn up and get stuck in straight away. If it's a ridden job, you need the record or the experience behind you to get the rides.
I've never been happier since quitting that last horse job and I've found I enjoy my time with my own horse so much more again.
If you're really set on it, volunteer somewhere first before making any big decisions

 

[martyfisch]

If you're willing to live/ work in London, Trent Park Equestrian Centre may be a first step on the ladder. They're looking for working pupils and yard staff currently.

 

[Gloi]

I know one or two places desperate for grooms who could provide a caravan. I wouldn't advise it though. It is 90% mucking out and filling haynets and if you aren't used to it you will quickly become more exhausted than you thought possible, and all for pitiful pay, while stuck miles from anywhere.

 

[sbloom]

You don't say what your ridden experience is - you could, in theory, potentially, become something like a saddle fitter but you would be a much better fitter if you had a lot of riding experience, handling horses and understanding biomechanics and all round horse care. You can get training in all of that, and volunteer for experience, but that's a long path and it's a tough job, even if not as physically hard work as grooming. Look up any posts on here about becoming a saddle fitter, I'll have responded! You're also setting up a business and will need funds more than likely at some point though many new fitters are able to work with the stock from a big tack store (if you go Society Master Saddlers route).

Then there are bodyworkers, hoof trimmers etc, there are LOADS of these types of peripatetic jobs, but again not easy to get into if you don't have a lot of experience already.

I would save seriously consider keeping it as a hobby, especially bearing in mind a few people find their love for horses wanes a little after LONG days out in the cold etc.

 

[teapot]

I would be seeking to do BHS levels as well.

I'm old and out of touch but can you do BHS levels without actually riding , now?

They’ve been spilt into separate Care and Ride sections/exams since the early 2000s at least.

So you can in theory become a Stage 5/BHSI level Stable Manager without ever riding a horse. Lunging yes, but riding no, not a requirement.

 

[IrishMilo]

Don't underestimate how utterly back breaking working on a yard can be. You're working probably the hardest you'll ever work for the least you'll ever earn. The days are very long, very cold in the winter, very smelly and quite frankly I take my hat off to anyone who does it full time.

I'm a similar age to you and at the end of last year decided I'd had enough of corporate life and almost sacked off my very cushty work from home job to work full time with horses. In my head it was going to be magical!

I got as far as handing in my notice and my employer asked me to take a week off to reconsider. In that time I went to do some work for a pro at a 5* yard (mix of riding and chores) and good god it's back breaking work. I've 'done' horses most days for the last 22 years and I can not emphasise enough how much I struggled physically. I'll also include that I go to the gym at least 2x a week, walk a couple of miles every day with the dogs and am generally pretty fit and lean.

After a couple more shifts I very quickly realised that working with horses for a living, and doing horses as a hobby are worlds apart.

 

[Jellymoon]

I think the horse world is crying out for people who want to work with horses but are not interested in riding or going to all the glamourous shows. Many young people who think they want to work with horses want to ride, and get fed up with the endless yard work. Someone mature enough to follow instruction without throwing a strop, and just get on with mucking out, poo picking, tidying the muck heap, filling haynets, cleaning tack, cleaning buckets and sweeping would be worth their weight in gold. These things can be learnt on the job, and people have their own way of doing things anyway, but would be handy if you can just get on with it. Would be great if you are confident around horses and know how to lead them safely and change rugs, pick out feet etc.

Also, if you can do groundwork and lunge, that would be very handy. So much you can do without riding. And stay behind lookimg after the yard while they go off to shows...

I use freelancers and I never ask for qualifications. I just want people to be reliable and not let me down and get on with the job without moaning. I have one thats been with me for about 10 yrs, she was 26 at the time, had never worked with horses before, but just always loved them and wanted to work outdoors. She's still 'just' poo picking, mucking out and tidying the muck heap, but she does all my friends yards and we'd all have break-downs if she left us!

Just be reliable and get on with the job in a cheerful way, and you may find yourself being a very valuable asset.

 

[LEC]

Most of the top eventing grooms don’t actually ride and some of the world class ones like Jackie Potts, Emma Ford, etc would be bigger.
Maybe go and do an eventing season as they will be looking now and then re-evaluate after. They would prefer to train you so don’t be put off as long as you have some idea but also expect the work to be menial and hard with very long hours.

Billy Stud is one worth looking at as seem to really take care of their staff and would have a very established programme. William’s groom Zoe Herbert doesn’t ride.

 

[Abacus]

As someone who does a corporate job and also runs a livery yard on the side... I would say that I cannot imagine giving up the corporate job just to do horses, even if it paid me a moderate living. It doesn't - it basically covers a part-time groom, a bit of yard maintenance and my own horses - and I am lucky enough that the place is my own, which was bought through years of well paid jobs. I definitely would rather do a moderately paid desk job and some freelance work on the side if you really want a horse/outdoor fix without it knackering you too much.

That said, there is a market for a reliable, cheerful groom who does the simple jobs without complaining. Mine is fabulous, and I pay her well over the market rate to keep her happy (plus she has her own horse with me) - but she also has a day job, she can fit my yard in with early mornings and a bit of weekend work - we do about half the work each. It may be worth exploring this kind of option if you want to give it a go without being fulltime and on the lowest pay imaginable, and want to earn enough from another job to pay rent as well.

 

[honetpot]

You have spent a lot of time on what you can not do, but little on what you can do, which is the start of getting any job. I wouldn't want to work with horses because I did it when I was sixteen and quickly worked out that I was never going to have any money. The only thing harder than working with horses IME is nursing, but at least you are indoors and there is a chance to progress, but both need the same sort of qualities.

I would look for a job as some sort of live in help with animals or high end house sitting, my friend does sometimes, you get some lovely places to stay, its fairly well paid. They usually already have other staff like, a cleaner and gardener. Perhaps do a small animal course
The National Stud is a good idea, and work in Newmarket from holding horses to horse transport, if you are calm and competent, there are yards where they have people who just muck out, and the pay is pretty much standard, but I wouldn't.

Salaries in the Horse Racing Industry

There are certain differences between working in the horse racing industry than any other equine industry sector, not least the salary structure.

thegroomslist.co.uk

 

[Arzada]

What work do you do at the moment? Can you take part time yard work to enhance your experience?