Physical disability, can i still work with horses?

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amanda1788

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Hi

well basically I have problems with my hips, i had to have a major operation on one of them to help stop the pain i was getting and it has helped a lot but not eliminated it, and my left hip also causes me pain. Which if i wanted could have an operation to help, but the healing time is so long, i am just using strong painkillers at the moment which get rid of the pain if i use the maximum dose. this can make me feel a bit spaced out now and again but its better than the pain. I also soemtimes can backache although had an x ray and it was ok so basically have to put up with it.
Anyway the thing is i have always wanted to work with horses either in a livery yard or become an AI in a riding school. I do have my own horse and can do everything muck out and poo pick if i take my painkillers with no pain, but if i was to do this job i dont know if i could manage the amount of mucking out and standing that needs to be done. I can walk around for ages but standing on the spot for long periods i find hard and the mucking out will affect my back. by the way i'm only 19 years old. Has anyone on here with any physical disability worked in this sort of physical job? How much mucking out/standing on one spot is involved? Can anyone reccomend anything i can have done or do to help my back? as that would solve the main problem. Thanks for any help or advice anyone can give me. As its either this job or a primary school teacher but would obviously prefer to work with horses.
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oh and i can physically do everything its just that some things cause me pain but i can still do them i just work through it.
 
Working with horses full time can be a huge strain on your body, depending on what job you do. But thats not to say you can't do it!
I have mild dysplacia in my hips, something that caused me huge problems and pain in my teens. But it never stopped me working with horses.
It really will depend on what sort of job you go for as to what your duties will involve. Some larger yards may be better for you - mainly because they tend to use more machinery for heavy jobs.
I also get back pain when standing around, but the only duties that cause this is holding for the farrier and vet. I can get pulled around, twisted, stood on, muck out heavy litters etc etc with no problems.

I say that you should go for it, you can but try! But if one job doesn't suit you, don't give up, there may be other jobs that will. And if all else fails, why not look for a less hands-on career with horses?
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I have physical disabilities. I was unable to work for other people as i was unreliable and the pain it caused. An AI could be something to look at in an understanding yard. I do work with horses but for myself as i can do whatever, whenever. I would look at the less physical side as many people have a lot to give although they cannot manage the mucking out etc. I must say i was shocked at your age. Good luck and don't give up. I could not move away from working with horses and found the right direction to go in for me personally, albeit by falling into it.
 
I'm about to offer the opposite advice! I worked with horses, did AI yonks ago, and now wish I had become a primary school teacher. Warm class room, six weeks off in the summer to play about with horses, time off at Easter and xmas too, local job so home relatively early, chance to do part-time job share when you are older and maybe have kids...warm fluffy feeling after a day at work (joking!).

I haven't got your problems with hips, but I did have a back injury around your age, and aches and pains just don't get better with age! Some mornings I can barely muck out and have to rest between stables, I often have to chose - mucking out or ride...back can't take both in one day.

It's a tough call, why not have a gap year and do your AI, then go to uni and do teacher training, and then you have best of both worlds. That's if finances allow!

Also additional thought - you have to stand still in a corner now to teach, (at least to pass AI!) so that you can see the entire ride at all times, so not great for working in a riding school, teaching for hours at a time standing still.
 
Agree-
and standing in the cold, the damp, and lift saddles, etc even if a job with no mucking out.
Lifting jump wings, poles etc too.
 
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