What is working in a RS like?

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Tharg

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Bit of a cross roads, saw an ad on YardandGroom for a working student placement that offers training in a riding school. The thing is I don't know if I can deal with kids constantly, esp with summer holidays.

Ideally I'd like to work in a stud but I also want to get my stages/NVQ whatever.

Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
 
If you don't like kids, dont do it.

If you love kids, like things hectic, enjoy working to ridiculous deadlines, believe that doing things fast is better than doing things thoroughly and generally are happiest when you are racing about trying to do 10000000 things at once whilst several small children trail round after you asking questions then you will love it.

IMO it is the best job in the world.
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I did it for 3 years mainly part time but there was the odd ocassion (like summer hols) where I was up there more time than I was at home

I personally loved every bit of it, gained a vast amount of exeperience from it and was just generally good fun, and that's even despite not really liking kids.

It's hard work and can be training, especially in the peeing rain but I personally owe so much to those 3 years. Really does depend on the RS in question though
 
I enjoyed working at a RS, but I didn't do it for long. I preferred working on yards where you got to do lots of riding tbh. Although some RS will let you have loads of lessons for free, espesh if you keep your horse there
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I think it depends a lot on the riding school you go to, I loved the one I volunteered at though, I was down there every weekend and nearly every day in the school holidays, if you get a good one it really is a rewarding experience
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It did put me off children though, although that was mostly only down to one or two spoilt little brats we used to get going regularly, you'd be surprised how nice they can be when you're the one holding onto the pony they are riding
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Another plus was it got me so efficient, you couldn't fart around tacking up and getting people on as when we had a big group come as you had to get them on and sorted A.S.A.P:). Plus it did wonders for my fitness, leading people around and trying to do a million different things at once whilst trying to be polite to clients!
 
It taught me loads, especially speed! I used to have to groom/tack up 5 horses in half an hour, skip out/hay/water 9 boxes the next hour and then either take hacks out or run round the school leading beginners! It definitely keeps you fit, the worst part was the kids hanging round but getting them to sweep the yard usually kept them quiet, or poo-picking the fields!

The place I was out wasn't keen on having loads of kids hanging round though so it wasn't too bad - I've seen larger yards where the parents clearly think they've got a cheap childminding service every weekend.
 
It can be cold, tiring, annoying, boring (tack cleaning!) but it can also be great fun. Own a Pony days were rather exasperating but ultimately fun (and I hate kids!!)
 
I worked at 2, both were bloody hard and thankless work, but they also had their good points....Hmmmmmmm let me think, only kidding had some goods laughs too. It depends on where you work and who you work with, it's like anything really. You know what they say, one mans poison is another mans treasure (or something like that!)
 
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If you don't like kids, dont do it.

If you love kids, like things hectic, enjoy working to ridiculous deadlines, believe that doing things fast is better than doing things thoroughly and generally are happiest when you are racing about trying to do 10000000 things at once whilst several small children trail round after you asking questions then you will love it.

IMO it is the best job in the world.
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I pretty much agree with all that!! Apart from the last bit - where I work we only have a small RS side (we're mainly livery) and this week and next our boss is on holiday so there are no lessons. My GOD is it nice to have a bit of peace up there!! We can work the nutty ones and the babies without interruption, no children running and screaming, no tacking up for other people all the time and running round after them (best of all - no boss! lol). I want to get away from the RS side really, it was fine when I was young and it's good to take advantage of having lessons where I work, but it's more hassle than it's worth from a groom's perspective. However I do realise that it makes my boss her profit (or putting it another way, that's the bit that pays for her horses and for her staff) so it's essential for her. That's why I'd never bother asking for a pay rise, it'd only mean more lessons!
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If you're the type of person who likes things hectic and social then it could be great fun!
 
Thanks for replying all

I'm not a real kiddy hater, just wouldn't want them in large numbers!

I agree it does depend on the RS

One last question, did customers in general respect your authority as groom/working student?
 
I've worked in a few - it's badly paid, long hours, physically hard, dangerous at times, requires a good understanding of human psychology plus the manipulative powers of Machiavelli...
On the plus side, it's a fantastic way to get fit, improve your riding, improve your teaching, and have fun....but it isn't something anyone does long term, in my experience.
If you are looking for fun rather than education, trail riding places are the best...hours of riding, no teaching...summer weather...and paid (albeit minimum wage)
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One last question, did customers in general respect your authority as groom/working student?

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haha yes, bow down to the Groom Almighty!!
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99.9% of the people we get are really nice, the novices always have a real interest in the horses and their care, not just the riding. I try to get the newbies to watch me tacking up their horses and explain what I'm doing (the children especially, but I try to let other people deal with the children
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The only lack of respect going on is when the little children run and scream around the yard and will NOT stop when told, even when told off by the Big Boss (who is quite formidable when she wants to be!)
So again, showing my child-hating side a bit
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but generally people don't come up to me and say "hey, you've done that wrong you idiot, damn groom no wonder you're paid minimum wage"!
 
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One last question, did customers in general respect your authority as groom/working student?

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Customers will respect you if you have a polite, respectful, helfpul and guiding manner.
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One last question, did customers in general respect your authority as groom/working student?

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99% of the time they do as they see you working and actually realise how tough the job can be. Some of the parents we had were brilliant and so interested in what their kids were doing, they would ask us all about the lessons, anything they could do at home to aid their kids type thing.

I even received money in my christmas cards from some of the clients so yeah they do.
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If you want to work at a stud why not hold out for stud work? I work at a stud and love it. I had a look on Y&G recently and saw quite a few jobs going, maybe not in your area though?
Have also worked at a trekking centre and hated it (adults only though!)
 
I'll be happy to work anywhere in Ireland or wherever if there is a chance I can also do my stages.

Problem is I don't have a license so that does exclude me from some ads
 
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