EQUESTRIAN CAREER-high school classes

[jumper-4-joy]

Hey every one,
I know it is a little early to think about a career choice, but I want to know what classes I should take in high school to pursue my equestrian career. What classes should I take- I do NOT want to become a vet, though!

Thanks!!! :D :) :D

[BackintheSaddle]

Are you thinking about going to a college with equine sciences as an offered degree? (Our state university has one). If so, I would take the standard college track courses and work hard to get into college. If you're not college bound, psychology (if your school has it) and maybe some phys ed if there's anything focused on muscle development, flexibility etc.

[jumper-4-joy]

Yes, I do want to go to college. I get straight A's, so class difficulty isn't a problem. I eant to be a trainer, or a stud farm manager, or something along the lines of that.

[clurly_wurly]

Ive just started college doing Equine management, and I think that biology would be quite a good subject to do because we have modules in animal health and anatomy&physiology which are quite sciencey. We also have a business module which will help us if we ever have to run a yard, so it would be helpful to maybe do business studies in school too.

[sweuzo]

take biology... not sure what other redular subjects are closer, just take a tone, probably sciences and englsih and math are most helpful for college etc.

[Luv 2 Trot]

Clurly Wurly, what is the equine managment course like? I am thinking about that, and i would like to know a bit more about it. Like what you learn, what i should learn now that will help, etc.

Thanks! :D

[Talou]

Luv2 Trot, you sound exactly like me! I tell people I want to work with animals and the first thing they say is vet...and I say no!
I want to do something like you..but we don't have horsey colleges here. :(
I'd love to do a course about equines..or really anything that concerns animals. *sigh...*

[clurly_wurly]

Luv 2 Trot: I really like the course so far, but the only bad thing is we dont get any work experience. We do subjects like horse managment practice, and principles of horse management which are quite similar. They cover things like stable management, tack, plaiting and clipping etc. We do anatomy and physiology and animal health which are both quite sciencey subjects, and a business module. You can choose different modules such as equitation flat or fences and racing. After christmas we will be doing a nutrition module and a breeding one too i think. The only thing is that we are mostly in the class room, and only on the yard for 2 or 3 classes a week, some people may prefer to do a course where they are on the yard a bit more, i think National and First diploma courses would be less classroom based.
PM or email me if you want any more info :)

[PunkRockPony]

i'm not from the us so i'm not sure excatly howold you are when your in high school but i'd advise going to college and studying horses. (this might be something for after high school though) I'm currently at college doing a National diploma in horse management and i'm really enjoying it! it was definatly the best decision I have made in my life so far lol!!!

Biology would be a very useful subject for the sort of course i'm doing, prehaps english if the course is going to involve written assignments... and... well biology is the closet thing you have really... if you do business studies or something like that it could relate too as on my course we do buisness management...

[Just.Jump]

If you want to be a trainer, the best education you can get is not so much at school, but at a barn. Get work experience and riding experience, as nobody wants a trainer who can't ride to perfection themselves.

I wouldn't suggest going into breeding manager, even if you get as specific as stud- they don't make much money, and breeding season only comes around once a year before the babies will be coming too early in winter, etc. To be specific, every rider needs a job on which they can afford keeping one of their own horses ^.~

As for school subjects, PE won't particularly help you out unless your future highschool, like my current one, has a sports performance class. Nobody in a barn is looking for a young person who can score from the half line or make a touchdown in one down or something like that =P The most important thing would be biology and psychology, as well as financial management or law. You have to be able to do business or have enough money to hire someone to do it for you.

If you would like to be a trainer, however (depending on your area you'd like to train), you need to dedicate your riding to that form now on- particularly showing. Most people will want someone to train their horses who has done well in serious competition and has worked with young horses as well.

[alliecatalex]

Even though you dont want to become a vet, science classes are good to take. I know a lady who works with ponies, and was a dressage trainer and she went to college and took pre vet classes and regitured to become a tech. Its probably good to know some basic anatomy of the animal you wish to work with so that you can do come basic care with it, when it is needed.

I want to become and Equine Vet, so I am taking a vet assisting class through my highschool, where at the class we have two fresian mares that we work with, along with dogs and cats. Its a class that only seniors and juniors can take. Even if you dont want to have a career in veterinary medicine, animal sciences or animal related classes that you can take look good and show that you are interested. But yeah, working at barns and volunteering with animals show that you are dedicated with what you want to be. I volunteer at a barn, and the owner now lets me 'work' with her studs, this dosent include much but I get to lead them, feed them, groom them, so working at barns can get you to have the experience that you want with horses.