Leaving horsey job advice

Sycamore123

Sycamore123

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I've been working with horses since I was at school, and have worked in horse racing the past three years. Due to quite serious back problems I have handed my notice in and got an office job, which I start next week. I will be going from living on the yard working 7 days most weeks, being outdoors from 6:30am, and doing physically hard work every day to sitting in an office from 9-6 renting a room in a town. I desperately don't want to leave horses, and am only doing so on medical advice. I do have my own horse, however he is turned away to grow about two hours from where I will be living.

Has anyone got any tips for coping with this change?

Thanks
 
Concentrate on getting your back right. Can you go swimming or go to a gym? If you want to keep up with the horse world look around for riding clubs where you could offer to help and so you would maintain contacts. It won't be the same as horse racing but you will find out what is going on around you. Or go out at weekends with the local hunt, running after them will keep you fit! You would soon get to know people and I expect the point to point people would be interested in your racing knowledge. You could join the hunt supporters club as they have lots of fund raising social activities.
 
Yes. Give your new occupation the same dedication you put into horse racing. Aim to become one of the very best in your new work environment. You will then be in position to negotiate good pay to fund your leisure horsey lifestyle.
 
Sitting all day is about the worst thing you can do for your back! I get not being able to do a physical job any more but make sure you keep yourself moving
 
Have had to do the same due to health (although mines a lifelong condition) I miss it, no question but keep an oar in with own pony on DIY, hoping to head back towards horses in a.veterinary route eventually
 
I had the same-ish scenario although. I was a groom for 11 years, but I got out as I was utterly fed up of the work conditions.
Make sure you let occupational health know you have a back injury and get your workstation assessed in case you need a chair to help your back.
It will be difficult to start with getting used to not being outside, take advantage of not having to be cold!
My biggest advice is to work hard and progress as much as you can. The first office job I had, my managers were astonished by my work ethic - fairly standard for working with horses, getting in early, staying until tasks were done and not afraid of getting stuck in. I got promoted fairly quickly, the job wasn’t enthralling but it led to other things. I’ve been out of horses now for 4 years and wouldn’t go back to being a groom, as much as I loved it.
I also had to rent a room for 1.5 years but then I got my own flat and a horse of my own. It’ll be tough for you to start, but it does get easier.
 
ON the back thing - you can get desks that raise up to 'bar' height so you can stand at them. But mostly only larger offices will have them as standard and I'm not sure at what point you can ask for 'reasonable adjustments' in a new job/if a new (probably expensive) desk would be considered 'reasonable'. So, be the one to go on coffee runs/to pick things up form the printer etc. Not only will you make friends fast it will be better for you :-)
 
GirlFriday said:
ON the back thing - you can get desks that raise up to 'bar' height so you can stand at them. But mostly only larger offices will have them as standard and I'm not sure at what point you can ask for 'reasonable adjustments' in a new job/if a new (probably expensive) desk would be considered 'reasonable'. So, be the one to go on coffee runs/to pick things up form the printer etc. Not only will you make friends fast it will be better for you :-)
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There is a scheme 'Access to Work', which, if you get in touch within the first 6 weeks of a new job, will help you to get adapted equipment.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
There is a scheme 'Access to Work', which, if you get in touch within the first 6 weeks of a new job, will help you to get adapted equipment.
Click to expand...

This! But ask your employed first. Most will do a desk assessment when you start to see if there are any issues that need addressing.

As for the rest, enjoy looking out the window at the pouring rain while you sit smugly inside your nice warm, dry office :biggrin3:
 
If you're going from being physically active all the time to a desk job, you might find the weight starts piling on if you're not careful. Have you told your new employers about your back? They should help you get your desk and workstation properly adjusted.
 
Thank you so much everyone this is a lot of very helpful advice☺️ I am especially worried about the weight gain! When I have worked there a bit longer I will ask about the desk☺️
 
Hi Sycamore!

I would definitely look at getting your horse moved closer or do what I do and get a horse share 2-3 times per week close to where you will be staying to keep you in the horsey world!

Hope all goes well :)
 
Yes, take a vitamin D supplement. I found it difficult to go from daylight hours being spent outside to them being spent inside. Vit D is the sunshive vitamin, so supplementation can help.
 
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