Thinking about a career change

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Nick Milnes

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Hey all,

I'm thinking about a possible career change into the equine industry but would like to hear some of your thoughts.

For a bit of background I was a Police Officer (my main career) until 2017 when I resigned to travel to Australia for a year. When I returned I got a job as a stable hand at a local riding school/livery. I used to volunteer one day at the weekend in exchange for a lesson at this riding school back when I was 15/16 (I'm now 28). I thought I would only be at the riding school for a month or so until I found other work, but when I found other work after a week working in an office I decided I'd rather be back at the riding school. I worked at the riding school for 10 months or so, I was mainly doing manual tasks around the yard with some horse work thrown in and some riding. I have recently returned to Australia where I plan to be for 6 months to a year but I am really missing the work and being around the horses.

I was thinking when I return to the UK what my options would most likely be. I didn't take any BHS exams whilst working at the riding school so would really be starting from the ground up. I think I would most likely want to progress in to instructing. I know I have heaps to learn and have only scratched the surface so have no delusions about this being a quick process. I am worried that almost everyone I came into contact with in the industry has been involved with horses throughout most of their lives, so starting now at 28/29 with little experience doesn't stand me in good stead. The riding school I worked at was quite pleasant but I heard a lot of horror stories about other yards which treated their staff badly, were paid illegally etc, is this a real concern that should affect my decision?

I was just wondering what your thoughts were realistically about changing career now into the equine industry in my circumstances?

Thanks

Nick

p.s how do you change your profile picture I can't for the life of me find the option!
 
You're only 28 and have another 40 to 50 years to go. Don't worry about not being around horses from the cradle, it doesn't matter. My friend retired from the fire service and found a new career as a barefoot trimmer, which he loves.
Have you thought about what type of work you want to do in the equine industry ? Farriery, equine dentristy, saddle fitter, vet physio ? These kind of jobs tend to pay better than being a groom.
Go for it, make an investment in your future.
 
I was going to suggest barefoot trimming too. You can train on the job while shadowing a qualified trimmer, my trimmer had a variety of jobs before including laying patios and joinery, he moved to trimming in his 40s. He has built up plenty of loyal clients, he is very good. This is taken from his blurb page.

‘What training do you have as an EP?
I hold a Diploma in Equine Podiatry. The Diploma in Equine Podiatry is a two year course which consists of 13 modules.
The course content has been carefully structured to ensure it will easily surpass the new National Occupational Standard which was published by LANTRA, the Government-licensed Sector Skills Council in April 2010. The aim of the National Occupational Standard is to ensure that in future, anyone practising in the field of non-farriery based hoofcare must demonstrate a minimum standard of education and proficiency. More information can be found here http://www.eptrain.co.uk/
At the moment, there is no legal requirement for anybody practicing equine podiatry to be trained to do so. But DEFRA, the FRC and a
group of the most established Equine Podiatry Schools are currently working together to come to a solution to regulate the profession. Please find the EPA position statement here http://www.epauk.org/Options_for_Regulation’
 
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BHS exams dont matter at all, I worked at a world leading stud for years and failed my BHS stage 1 because I 'couldnt handle a horse correctly' despite leading and collecting from stallions, doing all the breakers and handling foals. There is no right way to do anything. You can start anywhere at any time! The best thing to do is email all local yards even if they havent advertised jobs you never know if they need someone! I left the equine industry after an ongoing injury; due to horses. My boss was very unsympathetic despite me having the injury due to one of her horses. She was great to work for otherwise! Think carefully about it. Considering you have been in the police force would becoming a mounted police officer be a possible option for you? Horses are very rewarding, but its much more rewarding sitting in a dry office and watching the rain outside. I have my own horses so I didnt lose anything by leaving the equine industry. Feel free to message me if you want a chat.
 
OP says he would like to instruct - in which case, with the best will in the world - BHS exams (and possibly UKCC as well) do matter. Starting at 28 isn't an issue - but the exams and prep are fairly expensive. You can get an apprenticeship at a reputable training yard, but you will be working alongside mainly 18 year old girls (might not be too much of an issue!) Or you can go at it independently. Conservatively it will take 2 - 3 years at least to get to stage 3, but you also have to build a reputation etc so that could be a long road. But its self employed and less physical than some types of work. No-one wants to be a groom at 50!

There are lots of other options too - barefoot trimming has been mentioned. You can also apprentice as a farrier. The majority of horses in the UK are still shod and there is a lot of scope for branching out into remedial work, vet practice etc. as well as the opportunities to work overseas. (Its not poorly paid either!) Training as a feed sales rep - so out and about meeting clients and recommending feeds. If travel is your thing what about one of the equine welfare organizations like the Brooke - see what scope there is for overseas reps. Your background would be an asset in World Horse Welfare if you wanted to follow equine welfare in the UK. (Or overseas in fact)

Or you could look toward the equine physio / chiro route. Look at becoming a saddler. Work riding for a racing stable. What about becoming an Agister in the new Forest? No idea how - but I'm sure its on google somewhere!

Take the next 6 months to think about where your heart is leading you - then find a way to fit horses into it. There is loads of scope!
 
I would certainly look into one of the "associated" professions that @dogatemysalad lists. Apart from giving you a professional qualification and a greater variety of work than basic groom duties, I think it would offer you better and longer term financial security. You can then keep the riding as your hobby.
 
You say you are back in Aussie again. Why don’t you commence your training to be an instructor/coach through Equestrian Australia? And gain practical experience whilst in Australia?
 
If you can get a working pupil place and actually work in the industry, we see young people going to college to do their exams and coming to us with no idea on how to even clip a horse. They are coming from a sterile environment where you dont have to be up early in a morning and to be honest they have no idea about how the industry runs. Working pupils are often put through their exams. We would much rather have a person who has been and worked over a college person any day.
 
Thank you for all the replies, the information and suggestions are very useful.

The mounted police would be my ideal job but it's an incredibly hard job to get into, vacancies are very rare as when people get into the role they don't really leave it and when the vacancies do come up they are drowned in applications.

I'm having a look at what equine jobs are about whilst I'm out here in Aus so that is a possibility at the moment.

I think becoming an instructor would be what I'm set on, farriery has never really appealed to me. I enjoy engaging with people and helping them, seeing them develop and improve and I think instructing would probably allow me to do that best.

I guess I'm wondering what the best way would be to start progressing into this would be. Starting as a working pupil and working my way up and through the exams I guess?
 
Nick Milnes said:
Thank you for all the replies, the information and suggestions are very useful.

The mounted police would be my ideal job but it's an incredibly hard job to get into, vacancies are very rare as when people get into the role they don't really leave it and when the vacancies do come up they are drowned in applications.

I'm having a look at what equine jobs are about whilst I'm out here in Aus so that is a possibility at the moment.

I think becoming an instructor would be what I'm set on, farriery has never really appealed to me. I enjoy engaging with people and helping them, seeing them develop and improve and I think instructing would probably allow me to do that best.

I guess I'm wondering what the best way would be to start progressing into this would be. Starting as a working pupil and working my way up and through the exams I guess?
Click to expand...

Feel free to PM me your location in AUS. I am in Australia as well (East Coast) and might be able to point you in a few directions :)
 
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