Work Experience please?!

[adamleonard69]

Hello! Im currently studying Agriculture at college in the south east but im currently wishing that i did Equine, Leaving it a bit late in life as a non-rider wanting to work with horses! There are exactly zero opportunities to work on yards that pay and can also be willing to teach me to ride from scratch. I understand i may not be the best candidate for a job in a yard as i have no experience but if someone taught me what to do i promise they could reap the rewards from me being such a hard worker!! Id love to work for free to increase my chances but unfortunately i cannot afford to live! So ive come to the Horse and Hound Forum users for help!! Whether it is you or someone you know personally please send them in my direction so i can work for them! i Finish college in june next year but if anyone has advice on how i can start then please do comment!! Im so desperate to work with horses but i have so little time outside of college and work that the only way i may learn is for someone to take me on! Im willing to move anywhere in the country but that would be provided there is accommodation on site! Im really desperate please help! Thank you!
Adam.

 

[Spring Feather]

You might have more luck looking at jobs overseas, perhaps on a big competition yard or breeding farm, where riding may not be the main, or any, part of your job description. We've had a few agricultural students come to work on our horse farm; most couldn't ride but that wasn't an issue as there is loads to still do without being able to ride. Tbh though, without riding, any animal husbandry is similar; loads of back work and hard graft so maybe you're better off completing your agri course and then look elsewhere once you've graduated.

 

[bakewell]

If you can do all the agricultural aspect (tractor, hay tedding, fence maintenance etc) and you have a HGV license and CPC (this is a golden ticket) you are a very valuable candidate to many yards.
Add a first aid certificate, and ideally an equine first aid certificate.
Get some job experience with your local RDA, also gives you a great reference from part time volunteering. Perhaps also a local hunt.
Definitely complete your course. It will give you strings to your bow and experience with problems that other candidates may lack.
Agree with Spring Feather overseas opportunities are worth looking at, but many places on the continent do insist on formal qualifications, so an incomplete course in an associated subject is not so helpful. Also a degree can count in your favour for working outside the EU.

If you really can't stick it ask if you can transfer courses rather than quit.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Weight dependent you could apply to the British Racing School. They teach people to ride racehorses from scratch. If you aren't up to riding then you can finish the course as a non-rider but with a certificate saying you are competent working with horses. They guarantee you a job in a yard when you leave- it's up to you to keep that job.