Career help please!!!

[moosey789]

Help please!!!!! :eek: :eek:

Im 16 years old and I am currently completing my first year in a Animal Care course. Since I was about 8 years old I have wanted to be a veterinary nurse. I started riding regulary about 6 months ago and I am now v v confused about what career path I want to follow :eek:. Recently I have been thinking about becoming a groom or equine veterinary nurse (or something horsey lol).

I know that I want to complete two years animal care (NVQ) and then complete a third year doing an apprenticeship in horse care (NVQ level 2).

Is v v confuddled n dont know what to do nymore :(!!!
Has ny1 got any advice, info on some horsey careers? Any advice or info gratefully accepted thnx x x x

[The Flying Irishman]

It's funny you posted this thread, my eldest daughter is 13 and so has to choose her options at school and last night we discussed what she wanted to do when she left school. She too is adamant that she wants to work with horses but as I pointed out there isn't a lot of money to be made doing this. Anyway upshot is she ended up in tears and we are no further forward in choosing her options.

I will watch this post with interest as I really do want her to do something she enjoys (not a boring office job like her mum)

[Ross]

Keep your eyes open for the careers edition of Horse and Hound - I'm afraid I can't remember what time of year it comes out - it always has lots of information about what's available.

Doesn't whoever is organising your courses have any careers advice? I'd certainly ask them. I'd also suggest going to your local equine vet's surgery and explaining your situation, and see if you can speak to someone in the job already.

Ross

[StephA]

I am doing a Nat BETEC Diploma in Horse Care and Management at the moment and as soon as I finish that I want to do my AI or equivilent so I can do free lance teaching. Will most likely try and get a head groom job on a big yard somewhere whilst I do this. If you know the right people you will always have jobs, clipping, riding, producing for them and then you can start to concentrate on teaching after you have got your name about...thats my plan anyway!!

S x

[Ross]

I will watch this post with interest as I really do want her to do something she enjoys (not a boring office job like her mum)

I actually made the decision years ago that I would get a job that paid enough to keep my own horse and, if necessary, pay someone else to do it - and frankly, now that I'm older, I'm very gald that I did :) Though I had had a couple of years doing livery and lessons for the local children in the village where I lived at the time.

That said, there are lots of good horsey jobs out there, and everyone has to make his or her own mind up. Is there anywhere local that your daughter could help out at weekends? Only actually working with horses tends to focus the mind quite well! If all else fails, there are lots of courses available now that combine horses with business studies and stuff, so if she did one of those, even if she fell out with working directly with horses there would be other options available to her...

Ross

[No_Angel]

ive done a 2year course in horse management, the nd course. when i came out i found the only job i could get was a groom. i was pushed by my colege tutors to go to uni and get either a science degree or go and be a physio, but i didnt in the end.
i hate being a groom, and no offence to anyone else who is a groom (my bf and most of my friends are/were grooms) im too cleaver to be a groom, i get very bored with the repetative tasks, even tho i love being with the horses, i also hate the attitudes of other people on yards, ive not a very good experiences. even my farrier commented that ive got a bit too much about me to be a groom.
if your at an agriculteral college ask the equine lot if you can help with duties for a week or so, that will either make it or break it for you. mind you i didnt mind so much at college as i had a good laugh with all my friends, even tho the work was hard, but out in the real world there is so much bitching and sniping and people on power trips, just my opinion.

[moosey789]

ok thnx, keep coming with advice tho peeps!!! I need serious help to unconfuddle my brain lol :o !!!
Does anyone know what different careers there are in the equine world?? :)

[moosey789]

ive done a 2year course in horse management, the nd course. when i came out i found the only job i could get was a groom. i was pushed by my colege tutors to go to uni and get either a science degree or go and be a physio, but i didnt in the end.
i hate being a groom, and no offence to anyone else who is a groom (my bf and most of my friends are/were grooms) im too cleaver to be a groom, i get very bored with the repetative tasks, even tho i love being with the horses, i also hate the attitudes of other people on yards, ive not a very good experiences. even my farrier commented that ive got a bit too much about me to be a groom.
if your at an agriculteral college ask the equine lot if you can help with duties for a week or so, that will either make it or break it for you. mind you i didnt mind so much at college as i had a good laugh with all my friends, even tho the work was hard, but out in the real world there is so much bitching and sniping and people on power trips, just my opinion.


Its funi you say tht (well not reli funi but u no wat I mean) I was talking to my college assessor and she said that when she was a groom she worked with some really snotty people!!!
Oh I don't know what to do!!! I had everything planned, I have alwyas wanted to be a veterinary nurse n now I just dont know :( :( !!!!

[StephA]

Oh god yeah, I have worked for a few people and you have to be so thick skinned...they dont give a crap what they say or who's feelings they hurt. people like that normally have a string of clinger on-ers who will jump at the chance of working for them.

Saying that, the lady I work for at the moment is really down to earth. Alot of people dont like her because becuase she can be really blunt, but if you dont mess her about she is sweet with you. She does tell it how it is though :rolleyes:

I couldnt work for someone privately because in my experience if they are rich enough to pay a groom to come to their own yard to look after their horses they are normally rude as you like ( not all, but a lot )

If I was a year or 2 younger I would have gone to uni but by the time I finish this course I will be 22 and needing to earn a living really.

S x

[moosey789]

Stepha would you recomend a groom as a good career then??

I just read about grooms in the police force tht seem pretty cool :cool:

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/best/article.php?aid=61101&cid=399

[dcp]

I would get your courses out that way as you will have good qualifications and more options.

There isn't really any money in horses. I know of a groom who works for different places kind of their own business almost and makes hardly any money and gets no holidays. But if it's what you want to do and you love it.

[moosey789]

But thts the problem. I dont know what I want to do anymore :( :( :(

[eventerbabe]

if you want to be an equine vet nurse, do your training then try to get a job (or even just some work experience) in an equine orientated practise. my friend was an equine vet nurse before she had her twins and she just got lucky and got a job in an equine practise.

there are other routes to getting better paid jobs with horses, such as doing a degree (or even NVQ or whatever they are called!!) in equine science or animal care. that way you can sidestep into being a veterinary rep or a nutritionist or even go on to post grad study.

[StephA]

It is down to personel preferance really Moosey789

Some people would hate it as you do do alot of the same thing if you are just on a livery or something. If you went on a showing/hunting yard you would get to do and see a lot more. You would go to shows and exersise the horses. The lasy I work for even is letting me ride in some comps for her but that is because she knows me really well.

From how I have done it, it is all about getting your name known and in this game a lot of it is word of mouth.

When I finish my diploma I will have people to get references off...well known people in my area and that will help a lot. Plus it is the type of yard I want to work on whilst I get my teaching qualification (showing/producer).

It is hard work, daft hours and not great money to start. But I earn more by clipping, plaiting etc

When I get enough money I want to do my own show livery yard (people sending their horses to me to get shown/qualified)

S x

P.S. Even though you do meet some idiots, you also meet some great people and so far I am having a great time...spend a lot of time laughing!! I'm not wadded yet but I am pretty much totally happy

S x

[moosey789]

Thanks every1 this is reli helping.

At present im doing animal care, I start work evry thursday in veterinary centre, but im starting to have my regrets about doing animal care and wnadering whether I should have done horse/equine care instead :(. But its ok, I will see this course through and manke the most out the situation.

Anymore advice will be great though lol :D

Thanks again x x x

[moosey789]

Hiya again all,
ok so I was talking to my college assessor again the other day, I mentioned to her about my thoughts on future careers and said that working as a groom for racehorses seemed pretty cool. She said that she wouldn't reccomend (sp?) that I worked with racehorses in that line of work because im to emotional (yea right emotinal, me, never :p) and would deal with horses dying at a young age etc. She said that if I wanted to be a groom then I should look into working in a stud farm.
But then again I was watching Super Vets last night (anyone else watch it?) and there was a horse on there called question mark who was being treated at the royal equine veterinary hospital, and that seemed really cool to so maybe an equine veterinary nurse :D!!

Ok im just being annoying now and going on and on :rolleyes: so im gonna end here!!

[atillathefun]

I always wanted to be a Vet Nurse but after spending a day at the Royal Veterinary Equine College I realised I couldnt do it - I would be in tears constantly.:(
My friend has just given up working as a Vet Nurse to join me in a boring office job because the Money wasnt good enough. The trouble is lovely as it is to work with horses you have to earn reasonably good money to keep them.
In my local Library they have lots of books about careers with rough salaries and you can look up by industry and it lists you all the career options - might be worth checking your Library,
Work Experience is great you could see if you could spend a day at a race yard or with a vets etc to see if you like it.
The BHS has careers advice too heres a link
http://www.bhs.org.uk/Content/Job-home.asp

Good Luck :)

[matthew]

Remember being a vet is not always working with horses.
i know and have heard that the whitticers are looking for a knew groom,
also have you tried beeing a riding instructor and it meens that you get to work with kids aswell. look into it you get about £40 a day. wich is £280 a week.

or have you looked into starting your own bissines that is what i am going to do and i am going to be a farrier

[moosey789]

Well I havnt reli looked into nything, Im only 16 :D:D!!

Grrrrrrrrrr, see I wouldn't mind office work ect!! My friend did an apprenticeship in adminastration (sp?) and hated but it wouldn't bother me!!

I would love to open up my own stud farm!! That would be amazing!!

[kirstie]

I'm 16 and had my career set since i was 13 go to bishop burton sep 06, do a course for 2 years hopefully pass it :D , work on a few yards to get some more experience and hopefully set up a livery and expand onto a riding school. I've even had drawings on what the yard would look like since i was little how daft am i lol :D :D

[moosey789]

Btw I start working every thursday in a Veterinary hospital next!! So I will be able to see what I think about about veterinary then!!

[RustyMary]

I read this depressing Guardian article about racehorse grooms recently - found it quite shocking really.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/country/article/0,,1671809,00.html

[Ella2004]

Hi i feel exacly the same atm.Im also 16 and im doing a course in horse care+management. I passed my clb exam before christmas and am now onto my nvq level 1. I enjoyed it at first but now im doubting my choice. I had said that i wanted to work with horses for the past year at school but now im actually doing it,its different.We basically work as slaves for the riding school lol in the cold wet winters and then having to go home and do it all again with my own pony which i use to really enjoy doing but now im getting fed up! I dont know whether this is what i want to do all my life now as theres not much money and lots of hard work involved. I keep thinking i'll never find something that i'll enjoy lol but im off to see the careers adviser soon so hopefully they will help me. I am maybe thinking of doing something completly different like going on a receptionist course and then doing nails on the side on a night-time and keeping horses as my hobbie.:)

[eml]

Warning boring grown up view!!!

If you are a very talented rider you may make a good living from being a groom/rider/ instructor. Jobs with the top people only go to the talented and committed few. Without the money to finance your own riding school / livery yard there is limited scope to do more than earn the sort of wage a junior office clerk would get.

However if you love horses and are willing to muck in/out in a yard then the rewards are far more than money. The same applies to jobs like vet nurse.

You do not do these things as a money making career (even the owners could make better money in other ways!) but gain a wonderful lifestyle with enough money to live on.

The best advice I can give is go out and do work experience, either from school or as a weekend volunteer, take advice on your real chances in the industry from those currently in it and consider how you want to live your life. Working with animals and a great social life seldom go together!!!

[moosey789]

I'm 16 and had my career set since i was 13 go to bishop burton sep 06, do a course for 2 years hopefully pass it :D , work on a few yards to get some more experience and hopefully set up a livery and expand onto a riding school. I've even had drawings on what the yard would look like since i was little how daft am i lol :D :D


Lucky you, good luck to you!!

and you aint daft lol I draw piccies of my dream stable yard (that I WILL own one day)

[moosey789]

:D hurrah I have finally made my mind up ppl!!

Well im currently working in a vets every thrusday (im loving it). I have decided im going to be a veterinary nurse. But aswell as that I am also going to complete a course in the future in animal theropy treatment for horses so tht i get to work with horses!! :D :D

Thanks for everyones advice!! Im just reli glad i finaly made my mid up lol!!

[eml]

Warning grown up boring view:!

We get lots of trainees keen to work with horses, either straight out of school or on release from college or thinking of changing career.

Veterinary nursing is demanding, physically, mentally and emotionally and requires quite high academic standards.

Riding Instructors need to achieve a high level of skill themselves. Of the people we interview as potential instructors about one in ten have the potential to make it to the level with hard work. Once qualified you can get a salary about that of a basic office worker. A top level instructor ( 1 in 500 basic instructors get there) without their own business gets about the average graduate starting wage!!

Being a groom is a good job in its own right as long as you are physically fit and happy to do lots of repetitive jobs in all weathers but under few circumstances can it be regarded as well paid

If you love horses and are realistic however it is a lifestyle you sacrifice money for!

[jools]

Im currently working on a yard,doing my BHS Stage 1,( dont get paid for it ).

We work from 8.30am - 2.30pm,doing yard duties then we get to ride for an hour everyday.

Very unsure whether I wanna carry on to do my level 2,the owner is a right cow,never says thanks for the jobs we do. Dont like the way she speaks,feel put down.

Why are people like this?

[paynel]

Hi
I do know that some places where they deal are after grooms and riders, and they accomadate you, i would of done it, i have had an email to do ity, but i cant afford for someone to look after my horses and i wouldnt like to leave my horses behind. the site is www.horseimports.co.uk

I know there looking for new staff. Hope this Helps.

I too as Mathew said am setting up my own Business, I am setting up a tack shop All beening well will be set up by next year.

Liam,Penny and Zack

[eml]

Jools particularly but probably others . Why are you working for free. There are lots of government schemes for young people to train with where you start on an allowance of about £40 per week from the government but then move on to employment with a minimum (legal) wage of £80 per week. Obviously if you are living in your employers accomodation or having livery for your horse that will be deducted but I am puzzled at anyone working for free. By the way 8.30 to 2.30 is very easy hours for a groom!!

[moosey789]

I read this depressing Guardian article about racehorse grooms recently - found it quite shocking really.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/country/article/0,,1671809,00.html


OMG :eek: dont think I will go into tht buissness (sp?)
Thts shocking!!

Warning grown up boring view:!

Veterinary nursing is demanding, physically, mentally and emotionally and requires quite high academic standards.

I work in a vets every thursday and yea I dont get do as much as actual vet nurses and Im not there every day but I love it!! I couldnt imagine doing anything else!! Yes I do agree with you about it being emotional, i have already shed a couple of tears over some detahs but it is still very rewarding job! And I dont have all the grades I need to be a vet nusre but I am doing an animal care course NVQ level 1 and 2 sdo tht I can develop my skills and grades!!

[Santi]

What about being an Equine Podiatrist (EP)? there is a national shortage and it takes a year or so to qualify, you can build up your business at weekends until you can support yourself.
Being self employed is hard sometimes, but it is hugely satisfying working for yourself even if you have to do a part time job sometimes too.
Good luck - follow your heart and you'll find the right thing for you.

[toohorsemad]

Ok didn't read all the thread! I am a complete horse mad nutter! And I'm 16 too!!! I decided though that I won't go into the horse business! Well thats what I have decided so far! I am very good at business so you never know I might set up my own business but I think maybe I need horses as a hobbie to keep me 50% sane! LOL

[moosey789]

whats tht mean??

[Showing Mad]

Personally i would never be a groom as i would be affraid of getting bored and then moaning that i had to go home and do my horses. Also it is a VERY underpaid job, you work long shifts working your a** off and dont get much thanks!! Some people wil undermine you as well which i hate! Overall i say if you have the brains meaning that you have dont GCSEs and or A Levels and have actually came out with decent grades go for it and dont just take the first job also dont do annythink that people think you are to good for this is almost always the case. Of courses if you want to be a groom then ignore all of the above!! ;)

I too am sixteen and since i have been 9yo i have wanted to be a chiropracter for horses, and have my own business in this at some stage. It takes roughtly around 5 years to qualify depending on which way you go about it. There are only 3 places in the whole of the UK that do the equine courses (McTimmony, which is an annex off of Oxford, AECC i think and that is in Bornemouth, and there is one in Wales somewhere.) A course in either animal care or horse care or something else involving animals must be done before you take the equine chiropracting course at most universities.

Recently as in, in the last year or two i have considered doing Forensics or Biochemistry as i am good at my sciences and i really enjoy them. It is for this reason that i have taken Biology, Chemistry, maths and psychology at A level. I substituted physics for maths. As maths is more commonly asked for at Universities as a specified A level.

Good luck with what ever you choose to do!!

SM xXx

[toohorsemad]

Sorry I probably forgot the a in that! LOL

[moosey789]

Sorry I probably forgot the a in that! LOL

A in what lol?

[toohorsemad]

that

[sweuzo]

i would say do bhs stages+equine management+equine degree = some nice horsey jobs... also get as much experience as u can... starting at 16 is good, and if u get a horsey job at 16 you can slowly progress and the wage avalaible at the time is ok for a 16 year old.

[XxTraceyxX]

Hi im at bishop burton doing horse care Next year i hope to go on to ND and do therapy in the second year, My dream job would be to become a freelance teacher and/or and equine theripist and own my own equine therpy center one day.:D:)

XxTraceyxX

[lil_star]

If i was you i would get as many qualifications as you can.. Have you though about doing an bhs exams at all they are really good and will help point you into the right direction...

[Just.Jump]

Equine vet, all the way. For me, I'm tied first with Surgery and becoming an Equine vet, and mixing either of those with eastern practices as well.

Try to go for something that will allow you to afford your own horses in the future- vet techs get very little, as do grooms.

[moosey789]

I have decided to become a verterinary nurse, when im fully qualified I then want to specialise in midwifery in cats and dogs!! I also want to complete a course on massaging horses and stuff!!