help!

[3 day eventer]

hey everybody.
I have been working as a groom now for a few years and have an NVQ2 in equine studies and 10 GCSEs. But I am always skint i cant even afford to have a car!
I want to have a career change now before it is too late. I am 18 years old and have been considering Saddler, Veterinary nurse or mounted police.
I have been edging toward the police option and may even just want to be a regular police constable. But would prefer to work with animals. I love the idea of all 3 but just cant decide! :eek:
i am not just intersted in money but dont want to live my life scraping by on a few pence. I also want a job that will allow time to be spent with my own horses! Any info on any of these would be much appreciated! ;)

[horseygal90]

Mounted police is very hard to get into, and (I'm not sure if this is true) but I think they prefer people who haven't ridden before - That's what I've heard anyway. You have to become a normal police officer first, which is 2 years (I think) training, and then you can change into mounted, dog handling, community protection, etc. After that. However, competetion for mounted police spots is tough, made even tougher by the many forces who are know ditching their mounted squad! :(

Good luck in what you want to do, hope you find the right job!

[Tangle]

If I were looking at those 3, I'd probably go for the saddler.

I'm not sure I could cope with being a vetinary nurse when animals needed to be PTS. Plus, the impression I get from a vet friend, is that they get long hours and not that much pay.

As for mounted police, refer to most of Horseygal09 points ;). Again, I'm not sure I could deal with all the situations a police officer would be put in.

Which leaves me with saddler. It's also something that appeals, as there seem to be a shortage of good saddlers over most of the country - I think a good saddler would be greatly appreciated by both their human and, more importantly, equine clients :)

[3 day eventer]

thanks guys. Yes a police training is 2 years then you may apply for the mounted police. Vet nursing is low pay and tiring.
I think I might go with the saddler option. Does anyone have any info on saddlery? :)