Career with horses

[westphalenlover]

Hi,

I've owned/loaned horses for 10 years now and i want to get into a career working with horses or in the Equine industry. However I have a four month old baby, dont drive and have no childcare...I wish i had of done it when i left school!!:o I keep trying to convince myself not to work with horses:o Although its not working.

I was thinking of doing a distance learning course with Equi study. But are there any other ways I can get into working with horses...considering my circumstances. Has anyone done a course with them before, if so what did you think of it?

Any adivce would be much appreciated.

Thank You:)

[westphalenlover]

Anyone?:(

[Est]

I did 2 weeks work experience at a riding school at the grand old age of 29 ;) and they told me they prefer mature candidates to school leavers for several reasons.

Do you have any idea what sort of job might interest you? I'm not sure a distance learning course will be much good unless you're great at the practical side and just need to brush up on the theory - but you could do that for free with books/internet etc. Otherwise it would probably be better to just get straight in there and learn on the job as you come across things you want to know more about.

Why not use the next few months to have a look at the jobs that are out there? Start thinking about whether you can afford the time and money to retrain for a skilled job eg EDT, or whether you want to use existing skills and work as a groom for example.

Re the childcare, when it becomes an issue, do you have family/friends who could help for a couple of hours here and there? P/t hours would allow you to gently ease into a new position without necessarily needing expensive childcare options.

Good luck whatever you decide :)

ETA: I only got my driving licence a few years ago. So long as you don't mind some buses and walking, or a bike, you can get surprisingly far afield!

[westphalenlover]

Thanks for your reply. Ill definatley give it some thought.

[jump-it]

I'm new here, but I am kind of in the same situation. I have 3 kids, ages 8, 6, 3. The older kids are in school and I am a stay at home mom with my 3ry old. I just recently accepted a job teaching some kids one day per week for the next 4 weeks. I may end up doing summer camp, as well, which means I will need childcare. Which means MAJOR STRESS!!! :p I have always wanted to do something with horses and right now, my goal is to become a barn mgr/instructor. Ultimately, I want to own my own facility, but for now, I'll settle for managing someone else's. LOL

I wish you all the best and just know that there is someone else out there in the same boat.

[NZdressage]

Honestly, I have a career with horses and love every minute of it, but I have worked in other horsey areas and not enjoyed it at all. I wouldnt do it unless you love horses 200%, there are always disapointing times but if you love it and have fun every day then you will always get through the bad times. It's really only a discision you can make and if you have doubts I would seriously think about it before getting involved. I left school at 17 for my job and I am glad I did, but not everyone is the same.
Good Luck and let us know how you go!