So Fed Up...

U

UnpaidGroom

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Sorry to moan everyone but I'm really not sure how much longer I can sit in an office for!!!!! I've been working in offices for about 9 years now, when I left school I wanted to work with horses but everyone pushed me towards office work because the money working with horses was so poor. I appreciate that people just wanted the best for me and I even agree with them that it probably was the right thing for me to do as without the money I earn doing my current job I couldn't have my pony so I am grateful but it just drives me mad! I love being outdoors, doing a manual job with animals. I do a few hours a week for the YO where I keep my pony and I love it. I went last night, it was raining hard, I fed them all, done the hay nets, poo picked and cleaned the yard and I just loved it so much! I really am in my element doing that sort of work. Does anyone else fee like this?
 
LOTS of people feel like that!

but if you want to have any money, horses are best kept as a hobby, otherwise you could find yourself working with them, but unable to afford or have the time to have your own.

I used to wrk at a p2p and hunting yard, I LOVED it, and I still miss it, but there is no way I could have afforded my own horses on what I got paid!

Thats life unfortunately.
 
I know what you mean, but unless you run your own business (and sometimes not even then) you won't earn enough. IF I could find a job with horses I would leave my office job now but there is no way I could earn anywhere near as much to be able to do it.
 
Me Too!

I've worked in an office since leaving school but my heart says to work outdoors - but the money thing is a definate fore. I couldn't pay my mortgage, bills, dog food, horse expenses, nights out etc if I didn't work in an office.

None of the horsey girls that I know that work full time with horses can afford to do half what I do let alone ever take on a mortgage!

Stick with your office job and enjoy your money!
You could always look for horsey work/farm work on a Saturday?
 
You are all so right - my office job allows me to have my pony and many other things that the pay from a horse related job just wouldn't so I should probably stop moaning and do some bloody work!!!!! Lol!

It's good to know there are other 'outdoors types' stuck in offices - we can share each others pain! You have all made me feel more positive - thank you!
 
I would much rather be outside than stuck in an office, but like everyone else says... it pays.
I work for my father-in-law with my mother-in-law and my husband at the family business so if I left to persue a dream then not only would I be strapped for cash, but I'd be leaving my family in the lerch too.
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One day we will inherit the business and maybe then it will all be worthwhile.
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Manta: "think of the money, think of the money, think of....."
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Ever heard the phrase "Be careful what you wish for, it might just come true?" It certainly applies to my situation, I worked full time for a Solicitor for years but like you wanted to work outdoors. I packed in my job and have worked full time with horses for five years. The reality of working with horses is a lot different to the dream! It quickly takes over your life and horses are no longer something you do for enjoyment, they become a job you have to do just like every other job you ever have. I am lucky in that I get free livery at my yard for my horse but I have very little time to spend on him and riding often feels like something I have to do rather than want to do. On my day off I have to work in an office for the extra money so I never get any free time. As you can imagine my house is an absolute tip! Stick to the office job and enjoy your horses!
 
I know how you feel too! I spent 5 years working with horses when I left college and I loved every minute of it. In the end though the hours were just too much and it was making me ill (frequently working over 96 hrs a week - for less than £150). Also I had to sell my horses to do it and I really missed having my own. I could compete and go hunting still but it wasnt the same
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I went back into accounts (uurggh!) but now have a job I enjoy in a web design company. I think that is the key, really, to find a job that you are happy with that allows you freedom to spend time with your horses. It's a very difficult balance...
 
OhNo! Our dreams are shattered!!
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But that is a very good point skyHi. Who wants our dreams to be a chore?! We know what's best for us but the grass is always greener....!
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Welcome to the forum, skyHi, btw! Whereabouts in Yorkshire are you? I'm near Goole but orignally from York. Enjoy!
 
At least you stay warm and dry when the weather is totally grotty. I've worked inside and hated it, especially on lovely summer days, but then I've worked with horses too.
Somedays there seemed as if there was nothing else on earth to compare, others, when I was on my third set of clothes, my feet were wet and cold, the wind was howling, the horses were playing up, I wanted nothing more than to get back to my cosy little indoor job. The other thing I found was that by the time I'd finished doing everybody elses's horses,or got back late from racing, absolutely the last thing I had the energy, or the inclination for was my own horse. As for spare money, hmph!

There are pros and cons to everything of course, but on the whole, you have the best of both worlds. Enjoy your horse all the more because you aren't with him all the time.
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So there you go! - Advantages of working in an office:...Money, warmth in the winter, air conditioning in the summer, finish at 5 to go off & play with horsey, 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays!, but the best advantage of all....the opportunity to surf the net and read the h&h forum!!!

Stick with it sister! - Tell you what, take a day off and play with your horse!!
 
I worked with horses for 5 years after leaving education. I couldn't afford to run and compete my horses on a grooms wage- I could feed my horses, but not myself!
So I left and started up my own company that is completely unrelated to horses ( much to every ones shock and trying to put me off!)
Now I am chained to my desk Monday to Friday 6 am - 4pm. And then to my mobile out of hours and on weekends.
However I have managed to buy myself a nice house, with land. I have built stables and a menage and now keep my horses at home.
I would much prefer to work on a yard / ride for a living. But I enjoy the lifestyle my job provides me with. My horses are a hobby that I love. I can ride every day, and look out my kitchen window to see them grazing in the front fields.
I can even afford to pay my BE registrations now and actually get out and about ( barring rain / F&M etc!)
I wouldn't change anything- but all of it has been a long hard slog.
 
Yep, groomed on a hunt yard for a while, but couldn't afford anything and was tied to the job on crap wages as accommodation included. About 10 years ago, I went travelling and got a 'proper job' when I came back home (i.e. one that pays a living wage), hate the job, but it pays the bills, so I can have a horse and lorry and do what I want. On balance 35hrs per week of hell is out weighted by the benefits. Would I love to be outside 24/7 working with horses..................hell yes, but it's just not practical. Hopefully I will be able to retire early, with a decent pension and play to my heart content.
 
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Hopefully I will be able to retire early, with a decent pension and play to my heart content.

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Thats what I keep telling myself! And can spend my days driving my lovely horses about and watching them compete!
( or more reliastically work til I drop dead so I can keep my horses in the manner in which they have become accustomed!)
 
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