mbf938
Well-Known Member
Hi all
I thought I would post a thread on working with horses for anyone that is interested in finding out more. Obviously I can only talk from my own experience, but I hope this is helpful
Also, I am still learning all the time myself so my views may change over time but I wanted to write this when I am still reasonably 'fresh' to the industry so I don't forget what it's like to start out.
About me
I am currently working through my BHS exams aiming for my BHSAI. I have worked with international eventers up to 4*, breeding stock including foals, dressage horses and show jumpers. I have also worked in riding schools, on livery yards and with hunters. I own an ex racehorse and I compete in affiliated dressage, Riding Club teams for eventing, show jumping and dressage, and I am preparing to step up to BE eventing this year. I have ridden for nearly 20 years and owned horses for 16 years. I completed a BTEC Diploma in Horse Care at college and I also have a degree in an unrelated subject and have worked in office and corporate jobs as well as with horses.
Why do you want to work with horses?
It's really important to ask yourself this as I would say you need to really love horses to work with them day in, day out in all weathers. This is especially true when working with youngstock or competition animals as they aren't all friendly/good to handle/ safe/ quiet - some will bite and or kick, run you over, drag you around or get very excited etc and you need to feel confident around these horses.
Also, pay and hours - very long hours and generally low pay. Basically no one works with horses for the money, so if money is super important to you, keep horses as a hobby and work in a different industry. Hours include early starts, late finishes and if you live onsite, late night checks as well. 60 hour weeks are fairly standard on competition yards as a minimum over a 6 day week. However, pay should be fair so consider what is included in the deal (training, days off for exams and study, qualifications - if on an apprentice wage you should be getting a qualification, livery for a horse, accommodation, any bills, space on the lorry to competitions, lessons etc) so even if the actual monetary wage is low, the overall package may be worth it so don't forget to think about everything.
Career progression - what do you want to do eventually? Teaching (BHS qualifications or ABRS), coaching (BHS and UKCC), riding professionally (experience and a good competition record), running own yard, head groom, yard manager etc. It helps if you know where you want to end up so that you can gain the right qualifications and experience.
Tips
- Experience on an actual working yard is best way to go. If you do go to college, remember that industry expects you to work faster (3 stables per hour is not fast enough) so supplement college with yard experience.
- Training on a BHS yard as a working pupil is great if you want to get your teaching qualifications. Talland School of Equitation is one such centre.
- Working pupil roles on competition yards are another option. Make sure you get on with the rider/head groom and other staff members especially if you are going to live onsite. Horse jobs are essentially PEOPLE jobs - horse people tend to like/love most horses so the important bit is making sure you gel with your colleagues as you will spend most of your life with them!
- No task is beneath you. Be willing and enthusiastic to do everything and anything. Yard work involves plenty of mundane tasks but they are important.
- Be aware that a lot of horse people speak to people the same way they speak to horses - blunt and to the point. Don't take it personally.
- If on a competition yard, be prepared to be thrown in at the deep end. Get stuck in and learn as you go along.
- Competition yards, especially eventing yards, will often expect you to hack out on anything that they want ridden. It helps if you are happy and confident riding anything that is given to you. Most will be absolutely fine, but some are sharp and they are often fit so you need to be fit to ride them! To prepare for this, ride any horse offered to you to gain experience as well as keeping your own general fitness up. There are non-riding jobs out there if this isn't your thing, however.
- Speaking of fitness, you will need physical strength and agility to do this job well.
- Some competition yards expect you to ride in draw reins so if you can practice riding with 2 reins (even if you just attached an extra set of reins to your snaffle bit), that will be a help. Also, be prepared to learn about plenty of different bits, training aids, boots, ice boots, magnetic rugs, exercise bandages etc.
- Practice your lungeing. It is likely that you will need to lunge on a competition yard and often use a training aid as well and possibly over a pole exercise so being agile with all the equipment is a help.
- Be prepared to do the job as your boss wants it done even if it is different to how college or your BHS training has taught it. There are plenty of ways to do something 'right' with horses even if people firmly disagree with each other!
- Whilst a 'name' on your CV will look good, bear in mind that top riders often are busier and may have more grooms/working pupils whereas a less well known rider may give more time and opportunities as you may be the only groom or pupil. Think about what would suit you best before you jump in.
- Working with horses also involves things like washing vehicles, sweeping (a lot of sweeping!), cleaning a variety of different things, and other jobs that don't directly involve the horse. Be aware of this.
- Have a back up skill. I have a law degree, professional finance qualifications as well as experience in a corporate job if I ever want a break from the wind and the rain!
Overall, good luck and have fun. I truly believe my life is richer for working with horses.
Places to find jobs include:
- Yard and Groom website
- word of mouth (ask your instructor or riding club)
- horse and hound
- facebook (loads of riders advertise here!)
- local tack shop notice board
Other resources
- British Horse Society (BHS) website
- BE, BD, BS websites
- Racing careers website
- ABRS (Association of British Riding Schools) website
- Talland School of Equitation
I thought I would post a thread on working with horses for anyone that is interested in finding out more. Obviously I can only talk from my own experience, but I hope this is helpful
Also, I am still learning all the time myself so my views may change over time but I wanted to write this when I am still reasonably 'fresh' to the industry so I don't forget what it's like to start out. About me
I am currently working through my BHS exams aiming for my BHSAI. I have worked with international eventers up to 4*, breeding stock including foals, dressage horses and show jumpers. I have also worked in riding schools, on livery yards and with hunters. I own an ex racehorse and I compete in affiliated dressage, Riding Club teams for eventing, show jumping and dressage, and I am preparing to step up to BE eventing this year. I have ridden for nearly 20 years and owned horses for 16 years. I completed a BTEC Diploma in Horse Care at college and I also have a degree in an unrelated subject and have worked in office and corporate jobs as well as with horses.
Why do you want to work with horses?
It's really important to ask yourself this as I would say you need to really love horses to work with them day in, day out in all weathers. This is especially true when working with youngstock or competition animals as they aren't all friendly/good to handle/ safe/ quiet - some will bite and or kick, run you over, drag you around or get very excited etc and you need to feel confident around these horses.
Also, pay and hours - very long hours and generally low pay. Basically no one works with horses for the money, so if money is super important to you, keep horses as a hobby and work in a different industry. Hours include early starts, late finishes and if you live onsite, late night checks as well. 60 hour weeks are fairly standard on competition yards as a minimum over a 6 day week. However, pay should be fair so consider what is included in the deal (training, days off for exams and study, qualifications - if on an apprentice wage you should be getting a qualification, livery for a horse, accommodation, any bills, space on the lorry to competitions, lessons etc) so even if the actual monetary wage is low, the overall package may be worth it so don't forget to think about everything.
Career progression - what do you want to do eventually? Teaching (BHS qualifications or ABRS), coaching (BHS and UKCC), riding professionally (experience and a good competition record), running own yard, head groom, yard manager etc. It helps if you know where you want to end up so that you can gain the right qualifications and experience.
Tips
- Experience on an actual working yard is best way to go. If you do go to college, remember that industry expects you to work faster (3 stables per hour is not fast enough) so supplement college with yard experience.
- Training on a BHS yard as a working pupil is great if you want to get your teaching qualifications. Talland School of Equitation is one such centre.
- Working pupil roles on competition yards are another option. Make sure you get on with the rider/head groom and other staff members especially if you are going to live onsite. Horse jobs are essentially PEOPLE jobs - horse people tend to like/love most horses so the important bit is making sure you gel with your colleagues as you will spend most of your life with them!
- No task is beneath you. Be willing and enthusiastic to do everything and anything. Yard work involves plenty of mundane tasks but they are important.
- Be aware that a lot of horse people speak to people the same way they speak to horses - blunt and to the point. Don't take it personally.
- If on a competition yard, be prepared to be thrown in at the deep end. Get stuck in and learn as you go along.
- Competition yards, especially eventing yards, will often expect you to hack out on anything that they want ridden. It helps if you are happy and confident riding anything that is given to you. Most will be absolutely fine, but some are sharp and they are often fit so you need to be fit to ride them! To prepare for this, ride any horse offered to you to gain experience as well as keeping your own general fitness up. There are non-riding jobs out there if this isn't your thing, however.
- Speaking of fitness, you will need physical strength and agility to do this job well.
- Some competition yards expect you to ride in draw reins so if you can practice riding with 2 reins (even if you just attached an extra set of reins to your snaffle bit), that will be a help. Also, be prepared to learn about plenty of different bits, training aids, boots, ice boots, magnetic rugs, exercise bandages etc.
- Practice your lungeing. It is likely that you will need to lunge on a competition yard and often use a training aid as well and possibly over a pole exercise so being agile with all the equipment is a help.
- Be prepared to do the job as your boss wants it done even if it is different to how college or your BHS training has taught it. There are plenty of ways to do something 'right' with horses even if people firmly disagree with each other!
- Whilst a 'name' on your CV will look good, bear in mind that top riders often are busier and may have more grooms/working pupils whereas a less well known rider may give more time and opportunities as you may be the only groom or pupil. Think about what would suit you best before you jump in.
- Working with horses also involves things like washing vehicles, sweeping (a lot of sweeping!), cleaning a variety of different things, and other jobs that don't directly involve the horse. Be aware of this.
- Have a back up skill. I have a law degree, professional finance qualifications as well as experience in a corporate job if I ever want a break from the wind and the rain!
Overall, good luck and have fun. I truly believe my life is richer for working with horses.
Places to find jobs include:
- Yard and Groom website
- word of mouth (ask your instructor or riding club)
- horse and hound
- facebook (loads of riders advertise here!)
- local tack shop notice board
Other resources
- British Horse Society (BHS) website
- BE, BD, BS websites
- Racing careers website
- ABRS (Association of British Riding Schools) website
- Talland School of Equitation
