What Can I Do?

[Lucy J]

I am 23 years old and earn good money working in the IT industry, however, I want a job with horses. What kind of jobs are there that would pay me a similar wage to a sales job in the IT industry? is there anything?

I have a university degree and 17 years experience with horses

Anyone have any ideas?

[Lisa Dyson]

I wish I knew Lucy,

I feel exactly the same, I'm 28 and working in accounts and I would desperately love to work with horses.

If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Lisa.

:)

[Showjumper]

I don't think there's much (if any) chance of you finding a well-paid job with horses. :rolleyes:

[CrazyfurAnimals]

How about being an equine vet? They get paid pretty reasonably I think. For veterinarians, usually the bigger the animal, the more money.

Sorry I can't help much. I wish there were more horsey jobs out there then there are.

[*Shantih*]

Hi im having similar kind of dilemma....im considering a career with horses.

Although i would be worried that maybe u can have "too much of a good thing". I'd like to keep horses and riding as pleasurable and i don't know if it would stay that way. Should u mix business with pleasure?

Hope that makes sense?!

[Piaffe]

That will take 6-7 years to study for and then qualify!!

I've had several friends who work with horses, because that's what they've always wanted to do - but if you have your own horse and work with horses, your own horse becomes a chore, not a pleasure. I guess its a bit like my friend who's a chef - the last thing he wants to do when he gets home is cook!!

I think we're probably all better off in our offices earning good money and being able to afford and enjoy our horses in our spare time!!

How about working at weekends at a racing stables or something? (if you're not too tired after a week of work!)

I guess there isn't really a brilliant solution to this problem!

[*Shantih*]

Lucy J... just thought of something..u have a uni degree.what about teaching equine studies at further/higher education college?

Have u any equine related qualifications?

[Lucy J]

no, business economics with management science, I considered becoming a vet, but I'm glad I didn't!

I suppose I could put together my own training course for starting an equine business, ideally I would like to start a livery yard and expand it and possibly train and reschool ex-race horses, but that takes so much money to start up - myself and my husband between us already have 2 mortgages and 2 kids to support. I am just fed up of earning good money doing something I don't really enjoy - although I love my job, then I end up having no time left for anything else. It seems pointless.

[Lisa Dyson]

I too would like to start my own livery business, but like you said it takes time and money.

Unlike you, I really don't like doing accounts any more so I'm considering a total career change (something I've been thinking about for the past 3 years and still haven't done it).

But as already mentioned is it wise to mix business and pleasure?

Lisa.

:)

[Mehitabel]

i did my horsey exams and worked at a yard for a long time, and i saw a lot of people leave because they didn't enjoy it any more. it's really hard work, and it does affect how you look at riding for pleasure. i had 2 days off a week, and rarely went to ride on my days off. it worked for me, and if i'd been able to live on the wages i'd love to have done it as a career, but i've known a lot of people who it didn't work for. my long term plan is to see if i can manage the yard (for a decent wage) when my boss retires.

[Lucy J]

It wouldn't take the 'pleasure' out of riding for me. I spend most of my time with problem horses reschooling, or bringing on youngsters, to do that and muck out all the time, mend fences and just be with horses would be my dream come true, obviously some days it would be a chore, but so is every job!

the people that have just bought the yard I am on never have any money, I would so like to buy it from them. But they've only had it a few months! My husband said I should offer a cash injection for a part share, but I don't think I would get any return on it for a long time, and I'm not sure how that would work.

I'd love to know how much they paid for the place. It would be so good to do something like that, it might not give me a lot of ready cash, but then I wouldn't have to fork out a fortune for livery!

[Mehitabel]

well, if you ever need a yard manager!...

[HorseySmells]

If you really wanted a job with horses, but don't have any qualifications yet, maybe you should start out small. For instance, be a stablehand or anything that's even remotley horse related. The more experience you have, the more likely you are to be hired for better jobs with horses, like an instructor, ect. Just kinda work your way up. I'm not sure if this would work, but hey it's somethin' right?

[*Shantih*]

Im thinking about maybe doing something indirectly involved with horses.

So that actual being around horses and riding remains as a means of relaxation and pleasure.

I've applied to go to uni in september to do a degree in animal behaviour...and then prehaps going into teaching, consulting or journalism.

Therefore decent wage (hopefully! although i will have nice big student loan to pay back!) for keeping and enjoying my horses.

The only thing is i will almost definately have to give up my 2 cobs while im at uni. :(

[Lucy J]

I did work as a stable hand when I was younger, with the current commitments I have to my job and my horse and my husband I have no time to do any more, this is my problem.

I was thinking about some home study courses in equine studies and things, does anyone know any establishments that allow you to do homestudy courses then go and take exams?

[Lisa Dyson]

Lucy,

Its me again. As you know I've got the same thoughts as you, so I have started an Equistudy (Warwickshire college) home study course. They do loads of different courses including ones that you take exams for and ones that you don't. If you want a look the website address is www.equistudy@warkscol.ac.uk.

And Shanti, I can't believe you will have to give up your beloved horses, I really feel for you. I presume they are coloured cobs! I have the same love for coloured cobs, my Jasper is one and he's fantastic.

Good Luck to the both of you,

Lisa.

:)

[tarkia]

Im currently doing a BHS level one exam, and I think its great! Im 12 and it gives you something to do over the holidays. So far Ive had 2 exams out of the 10 that there is and already I love it! Ive won a certificate too for completing the first two :D I'd advise everyone to take part in a BHS exam in their local riding school if there is one as you get to learn a whole load of new things then your're tested on it. At the end you can do a showjumping or cross county course for free in my riding school on any school horse you like, im not an expert at jumping but im going to give it a go as its fun and free! They have a website so if you're intrested in going to one the site is http://www.bhs.org.uk

[Lucy J]

Hi Lisa,

I've sent for a prospectus, some of the courses look good, although not so cheap to be able to take exams!

[karenv]

I have been thinking about taking some courses from a place called "New Horizons Equine Education Center". This is in the US and all the courses they offer are mailed to you, you mail in the test and they grade them and mail them back to you. If you pass, you get some kind of certificate or something.

Does anyone have any information/comments on this program?

[Sue Watson]

There is also The Open College in Equine Studies which runs correspondence courses up to Hon Degree Level in Equine Studies and Equine Science. These Degrees are ratified by the Royal College of Agriculture, Cirencester so ought to be OK. Does anyone have any experience of this College??