Working with horses

[*Shantih*]

Hi Heather,

I just wondered what your views were on working with horses.
I'm considering a career as an instructor/trainer, but don't know whether i should just keep horses and riding as a hobby. Can u have too much of a good thing? Should you mix business with pleasure?

I'd be really grateful of any advice!

 

[Shmon]

"Do what you love, love what you do."

No reason NOT to mix business with pleasure! At least then you'll look forward to going to work!

 

[intouch]

But you'll never have enough money, or enough time for your own horses!

 

[jUmPingIsLifE]

I love to wake up in the morning and smile when teh alarm goes off at 530 and i say time for work! i can't wait!!!! i don't want to be one of those grownups allways talking about how work sucks. and when i come home from the barns i cant wait to go ride my horse and groom and just play around with him.

 

[Heather]

Hi Shantih,

Well, this is a difficult one. Intouch is a very old friend of mine and we have both been teaching for about the same length of time. I have to agree with her- I have spent far moer time teaching than riding just to pay bills, and indeed for six years up until last year, I rode perhaps twice a week just to demonstrate to students. I really began to feel resentful of everyone else riding and me just working to pay the bills. I took stock, changed course and also bought myself my own horse. I now ride most days, probably twice daily as I have two horses now, but it has taken me until I am nearly fifty to be able to afford to indulge, and even then, I am by no means well off!

Think of it as a vocation, then yes, by all means work with horses, but if you want to build financial security for the future, my advice is keep horses as a hobby- and even then, you will be impoverished compared to those with less expensive hobbies!

Heather

 

[Maci]

Horsey Career

Originally posted by intouch
But you'll never have enough money, or enough time for your own horses!

It's kind of funny (in a sad way) and ironic, but my riding instructor, who teaches riding, barely has time to ride, herself! (with all the time teaching and up-keeping the stable, etc). That must suck; I know I'd hate it and MAKE time! But I guess when you house as many horses as she does, you need that money, so you have to put their needs infront of your own wants.

Maci