working with horses - are qualifications always neccessary?

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swfy03

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* Hi,

From this september (2012) to next september I am taking a gap year before going to uni. I'd like to do some travelling, but whilst I'm at home I need a job. I'd really like to work with horses, I'm an experienced rider and am confident at performing all stable duties. Only problem is I don't have any horsey qualifications... Do you think there's any chance of riding schools or livery yards giving me a job even if it's just yard based with no riding involved?*

I've volunteered on an RDA yard for several years and I'm sure they would be happy to write me a reference saying I'm sensible etc and can do yard duties and am knowledgable about horses as well as being a confident rider at flatwork, jumping and hacking, but will that be enough?

Thanks
(also in careers and education)
 
I think it is possible, especially if you are happy just doing yard work. I managed to get a job at a stud yard last year based on experience and no horsey qualifications. They did ask that I do a 2 week trial but once I proved I could shovel the brown stuff they were happy to keep me on :)
 
IMO, experience speaks volumes compared to bits of paper given out by regulating bodies who's exams leave a lot to be desired for.

A strong reference or two from yards wins every time in my book!
 
I've just landed my 3rd horsey job. I've done a riding school, a groom for someone who needed help with her two and now a groom/rider for a polo pony yard.

I'm just now looking to do BHS. I have a wealth of experience through volunteering, owning my own and the jobs but no qualifications so far.

None of the jobs cared so long as I had experience. You will find some who want qualifications, but most look for experience above everything else.
 
Agree with others it's experience not pieces of paper which count. I rode out for a top NH yard with no qualifications once they'd seen I did actually know 1 end of a horse from the other. Also rode for a pro showjumper bringing on the young horses and doing plenty of lunging/flatwork with them.

I sold a pretty straightforward KWPN to a woman who proudly told me she had her AI. Sold the horse when he was pretty tubby. 6 months down the line I get a phone call from someone re the horse to inform me he was in a very thin state at a dealers, so much for the person who bought him from me having a paper qualification, couldn't ride well and didn't even have the decency to feed him properly. I was furious but that's what can happen when you sell a horse.If I ever meet her again I will give her a piece of my mind.!
 
Didn't think my thread had been posted so pressed the submit button again and then had no idea how delete one of them as i'm on my phone :(
 
To get a groom job you should be fine. Your references will help a lot. For me, reliability is really important. A young lady is meant to be coming exercising my horses (paid) over the summer when I am away - a stop gap for her summer holidays. Today she was going to call in and organise days etc, and she never turned up. The last girl we had was a bit like that too. Our Sunday groom is wonderful, as were our previous two. I would kill for a good freelance at the moment!

That said, if someone applied with experience and qualifications I would choose that first, then experience, then just qualifications!

ps. Most AIs I've met have been a lot better than degree/HND students, perhaps I'm biased as I'm an AI!
 
Agree that qualifications are not necessary but would just suggest that although this is a gap year the jobs market is really competitive so if you can do something related to what you ultimately want to do that will help you no end. If that is with horses try to get work in the part of the industry you want to work in.
 
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