Working at the barn

[CrazyfurAnimals]

I know I've only been riding for about two months now, but I also want to get a job where I am taking lessons. Not right now. Maybe after a year or something.
Anyways, for all you people that either own a horse or who are working at barns, what do I have to know in order to work there? And what kind of jobs do you think I'll be expected to do.
Also (this is the last question), will I get payed, or will I probably just get free riding lessons?
Thanks for your help everyone!!:D :) :D

[KarinUS]

This may not be the same everywhere: The stables where I ride at was looking for someone to do barn chores in exchange for free board for that person's horse. Type of compensation probably depends on the barn. I'd think that mucking out wouldn't require a great deal of knowledge. You could probably apply right now....?

[rocketman]

Karin is right. Mucking out stalls is the usual chore to start out with. If you're still at school and thinking about weekends and after school or during school holidays, you are unlikely to get paid. Barns are usually looking for someone who can come on a daily basis, whether part time or full time, for a salary. Being reliable is everything. If they know they can count on you for weekend work, you can probably negotiate free rides, if not free lessons, in return. If you only come when you feel like it, they will probably let you hang around, but little more. If you do make an arrangement for lessons in return for work, then it's best to write it down as an informal contract, then stick to it. If you don't turn up when expected, don't expect to clean one or two stalls and ask for a lesson. On the other hand, some barns (not all) are notorious for taking advantage of horse mad girls, getting them to do lots of work and giving nothing in return.

[Moonlightrider]

You don't need to know much to start with - most people can pour grain into buckets, water and muck out stalls - although later you can do more. I started helping with the summer camps after riding for a year - helping tack and untack, lifting stubborn feet, fetching whips, moving horses from stall to stall so they could be cleaned.

This year (second summer) I've been getting paid, but I also get half an hour's free ride during lunch. I can ride in the evenings, after the camp is over if we have horses that haven't been worked. I also give beginner lessons and generally help in the barn on weekends, and I pay for about 1/4 of my lessons - basically, when I auctually ride with an instructor.

If your barn is anything like mine, they'll be happy to let you ride for a few hour's cleaning out stalls. We need some stablehands - right now almost all the horses are on 24 hour turnout b/c we have no one to do the stalls!

[Maci]

I sometimes help out at my barn. What we do is we muck out stalls, feed, water the horses, turn some out, help tack/untack/groom, etc. It's sometimes hard work, espesially when it's hot out, but I like it! Actually, my arms are starting to tone more, thanks to carrying those heavy water buckets! Bonus!

You could ask to be payed or you could do it in exchange for an extra hour of riding after your done you're work. I think that would be the best route- still pay for your lesson, but work for a morning in exchange for riding after work. You can work on what you learned in your lesson, and improve on your riding in general! Good luck!

Maci :)

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Thanks guys!!! You have all helped me out a great deal. I really would like to get a job at my barn(Briarwoods Equestrian Center..I love the name :) ). Do most of you that work at a barn have to go in every single day though? I would, but my mom wouldn't let me.
Thanks! :)

[cobbie2001]

I help at a place where my mum works all i do is get horses up take rugs off or put them on ,help gear up , lead all the new kids around who have just came of the lead rain and yeah brush horses ( and i dont even get paid!!!)