University?

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showjump_queen2

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Hello all,

I am in a bit of a pickle. I'm a bit confused and I haven't really recieved all the advice I'd like on this issue but I am frightfully confused as to whether university is the best option for me.

My goal in life is to become either a head groom or a competition groom for a 3* or 4* rider. I'm not really fussed on a discipline, I just love being a groom and going to competitions. I always thought that doing a degree in Equine would help me get there, however my boss and the group of girls that I work with have all said I should be careful about going because of the contrast in the way of being taught as part of a number with their BHS way of teaching as this would be different for me for the type of yards I want to work at, or would it be better to just carry on working at various yards and getting more of a taste of different yards and that practical experience? I don't really want to waste the 3 years and end up really in debt if it's not going to benefit me at all.

Thank you :)

- Meg
 
I imagine that most people would value experience over paper qualifications. Someone with experience dealing with different horses and situations would appeal more so to people than someone who's sat in a classroom reading about these things. However, i do think theres a balance to be had, gaining your BHS exams to the highest you can go would be beneficial as it gives proof of a standard that you have reached.
 
Have you thought about Open University? I didn't go to uni as I didn't want the debt and only wanted to ride. I soon realised that putting all my eggs into one basket wasn't the smartest idea so I started a degree through the OU as a back up plan. You can do it either part or full time and fit it around other commitments. It is cheap in comparison to a brick uni and you can get a student loan to cover the fees. I manage to juggle mine around working full time and eventing up to 1* level. I'm not the most disciplined so I do pull quite a few all nighters to get the work done as I always leave it to the last minute but I find the pressure helps me concentrate. I think I have the best of all worlds as I am still able to compete as much as I want, whilst earning money from my job and getting a better education.

ETA- Sorry just re-read your post and realised you wanted help about an BHS degree which makes my post a little irrelevant! But OU is still worth a thought :)
 
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Thank you!

The degree I was going to was equine performance which is like management of the performance horse, I'm just a bit worried the way they teach it is to a different standard to the yards I want to work on so I would pick up all those habits and maybe employers would think I'm not ready to work on a bigger yard kinda thing?
 
Why not have a year or so out, work as a groom and see how you get on. If then you want to do the degree you will have gained loads of experience in both life and the area you want to work in.
 
If you are serious about being an international groom then I wouldn't rush into doing a routine equine collage course. Attitude, willingness to work hard, and hands on experience is what will get you there.

I would say instead of college you would be better placed doing working pupil placements at yards.

That said, although most likely very rewarding if you reach the top, you are likely to be worked to the bone for little thanks on the way up. It is a tough way to make a living. I'd suggest first take a gap year as a working pupil before making any other decisions - if still keen at the end of that year then great, go for it!
If not then at least you have time to be thinking about alternative college courses
 
Sorry OP, I'm afraid I can't offer any advice, however, its a good job there are such knowledgeable and experienced members on here. All their replies echo what I would say if I were more educated! Good luck in what ever you decide.
 
Thank you very much :) working pupil is a good idea I think although I'm not entirely sure what that is - is it like being an apprentice and learning on the job??

update I've just had a search around, it sounds kind of ideal for me as I'd never go to a big yard expecting to ride top class horses, for me the joy of the job is more in the early mornings and in the mucking out and all the work behind the horse - thank you for this suggestion!!
 
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Normally degrees tend to be more theory based, not practical. If you are looking to work with horses I would say it's more valuable to gain actually experience on a yard for 3 years instead of sitting in lecture rooms for 3 years! Like others have said see if you can do an open university type degree so you can still work and gain practical experience.
 
As a final year equine degree student (science) and working closely with students on other equine degrees, I wouldn't bother. I think you would learn far far more by working on yards.

Though as others have said, if you want all the theory too, then maybe look into open university/distance learning courses :)
 
There is one simple hard fact that students so often fail to grasp. A "university" is a buisness like any other. You get "students" and you make a profit. There is nothing noble about this sector of education. The best experience is at the front line , in a competition or racing yard.If you want fun,then university , if you are serious then practical experience.
 
I have an equine degree and there was no practical yard type work included at all. If you want to work in the equine industry, but office based, a degree is a good idea. If you want to be hands-on with horses, then it's not.
 
Slight aside - if the thought of debt is part of the reason you don't want to go to Uni, then go and read up again on exactly how student loans work. This is a good summary: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-tuition-fees-changes

You don't have to pay anything back if your income is below £21k/year after you graduate, and if you earn more it is only 9% of what you earn above and beyond £21k. Unless you expect to make big money (which is rather unlikely with a groom's job), you probably won't be required to pay off much of your student loan at all. So, I wouldn't let that consideration keep me from going to uni. Whether it will help or hinder your career goals as a groom is a different question.
 
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