Working as a groom or rider

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TwixMum

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Has it just become the norm for people to pay next to nothing and expect. Everything?

After working myself as a groom I gave it up as no future opportunities and I wasn't good enough to ride professionally.

My partner is considering leaving another job which initially starting as part time and he was paid min wage and all through the books. It's now ended up that he's working full time at the same wage. He's not getting compete as was promised. He's more than capable as a rider and really cares about the horses. He's been to a few places recently and it all seem s the same.

Is it just us?!

If anyone has any recommendations for a good job with riding and chance to compete for showjumping then please do let me know!! If not he may be joining me in a normal job!
 
I'm not very good at putting my thoughts into writing so this might be jumbled.

I went into a 'normal' job as I was getting paid peanuts and doing everything - paid WAY under minimum wage and was running a yard essentially. I did get to ride very nice horses, but I could barely afford to do anything apart from work.

But I see on my Facebook all the time that people are expecting too much nowadays - that 'back in the day' getting to ride was the payment, people didn't expect money like they do now. I guess this fits in with the 'millennials' narrative of feeling entitled - people want to ride, and they also want money, and they don't want to do the rest of the stuff that comes with it (not saying that's what your partner is like!).

I don't really know how anyone who isn't aiming to be a prof. rider themselves makes it. People can't afford to pay their workers a wage that is in line with current living costs
 
There are not going to be many jobs where a competition rider is required, possibly as second jockey to a nearly top pro, I say nearly top because the top ones will probably need someone more "qualified" than your "more than capable" OH, they will need someone with real experience in the ring that can bring on very nice young horses, the only other option would be a good dealer who runs their horses for a few months before selling on but again they need someone with a proven record that can ride all types and get decent results, not sure the pay would be great in either case until he is well established.

Other than that I cannot see how he can get much more than the odd ride, a small yard will ride all the decent horses themselves so he may get the tricky ones until they come right or get sold, it is much the same in all spheres, a person looking to be a rider not just a groom will usually need their own to compete on to enable them to prove themselves and get noticed enough to be offered rides, the only other option is a big step of faith in his ability to go freelance, do and ride anything until he gets some decent rides, if he can teach, school and is prepared to work 7 days a week he will probably be far better off financially, have more opportunities and be appreciated by his clients.

He may be best getting a normal job and investing in his own good horse, once he gets going then maybe going freelance could be an option.
 
Sorry should have said has results on more than one horse up to 1.30m level and has schooled horses to advanced medium. Has done breakers etc and is very good with young horses.

Is happy to work hard etc just can't seem To find the right job. He's always promised the world and is prepared to work hard and not get paid v much as long as it's worth his while. He's had horses that were deemed unrideable that have gone on to do better things.

Maybe I'm biased or just having a bad day
 
You are not having a bad day, the simple fact is there is no money in horses. Even the elite riders rely on a lot of sponsorship. The racing world would probably be the most regulated in terms of employment law and even that would only be the big high profile yards. I met stable lass a few years ago who was regularly doing a 6.30am to midnight at least 4 days a week when horses were racing. A stay on the yard day was 6.30 to 8pm at the minimum.

Historically staff turn over is huge, hours excessive and returns pitiful. I do think to be successful you need a lot of talent and a lot of money in your own right with super facilities, that will attract owners and clients. I bet the 'work riders' for the likes of the Billy Stud etc wouldn't be enjoying more than a very basic wage. Of course the big set ups, especially the studs have staff accommodation and that is a real perk.
 
Definitely maybe we are being unrealistic. He's really just looking for somewhere to give him a break or a foot in the door. Fully understand that it's long hours for not a lot of pay. Current set up is no accommodation or any perks. So he has a car to run and has to pay basic living. Problem is we don't have the money but he is talented and it's all he knows. I can't see him working In a 9 till 5 job he'd hate it.
 
TwixMum said:
Definitely maybe we are being unrealistic. He's really just looking for somewhere to give him a break or a foot in the door. Fully understand that it's long hours for not a lot of pay. Current set up is no accommodation or any perks. So he has a car to run and has to pay basic living. Problem is we don't have the money but he is talented and it's all he knows. I can't see him working In a 9 till 5 job he'd hate it.
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I think it is unrealistic to expect someone to give him a break, there are very few opportunities and too many keen young riders with talent chasing after every chance, if you have no contacts or money it is down to luck as much as anything, being in the right place at the right time but it could be a long wait unless you are prepared to get up and go wherever the work is or take the risk of going self employed.

I don't know your area and whether there are any decent NH racing yards nearby but many in my area will pay £12-15 per lot for decent riders to ride out every morning, most will not have to do yard work other than get the horse ready and put away, it would give a reasonable basic income for a start, only take until 12 noon at the latest and leave him with the rest of the day to get some other work that is more in line with what he wants to do. I think going freelance with a guaranteed income all winter would be a way to get started and it could also give him a chance of a networking.
I think you have to make your own luck to an extent, take a risk or two if you really want something you must get out and not wait for someone to come looking for you, I am not sure there will be a full time job out there that will offer what he wants and if there is is he prepared to relocate, will you be happy to move if he gets a good offer miles away?
 
As far as I can tell, there is no money to made through working with horses. Better to find a well paid job and do it as a hobby. Though where that leaves livery yards where you'd like to keep your horse, I don't know.
 
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