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Career or Job?
There is a difference! Are you looking for a short term job to pay
bills or have you got a detailed career plan? Have you done all you
can in your current job and need a fresh, new challenge? Do you want
to gain qualifications and take on more responsibility?
Well there are many jokes and warnings to working in equine industry
such as:
“There's only one way to make a small fortune out of horses -
that's to start with a big one!”
Well in the equine industry qualifications = Cash !
If you have no qualifications and are looking for short term work
with horses then realistically your are looking at minimum wage.
If however you want a career in the equine industry then this guide
to careers and qualifications and how to achieve them should start
you on the correct track.
Can anyone do it?
No, they can’t. I hope it doesn’t shock you to see a career advice
article use the dreaded C-word. But I happen to agree with those who
say that 75% of people who try to generate serious income from the
equine industry will fail and go and try another industry. The
tagline for this article is “Career or Job?” And unfortunately (or
fortunately, depending on your outlook), intelligent people with
common sense are a minority on this planet. So while many can’t make
a living this way, I would say that most intelligent individuals can.
How do you know whether or not you qualify as intelligent? Well
that’s a question only you can answer.
So if you're still reading as I hope, what are your
options?
Well, the bench mark qualifications are
The British Horse Society
Examinations; this is where most people start their training.
The British Horse Society
examination system has an international reputation within the Equine
industry. BHS examinations are vocational examinations designed for
and aimed at persons wishing to either pursue teaching horse-riding as a career,
or who simply wish to demonstrate the extent of their equestrian
knowledge.
The exams are taken on a single day and start at stage 1 and go up
to stage 4. There are also teaching exams and the exact
framework can be seen by clicking on the BHS link underlined above.
NVQs and SVQs: NVQs and SVQs are another form of qualification.
These qualifications are completely different from obtaining a BHS
exam, which you apply to take on a specific date and on the day you
either pass or fail. With NVQs and SVQs you are assessed on a
continuous basis whilst at your place of work.
There a number of equine colleges specialising in various equine
degrees. Our local college is
Writtle which is a partner of
the University of Essex.
So what is the right choice for you?
Well there are many skills you will need to master before you can
start to make money in the equine industry and it is certainly not a
get rich quick scheme. My advice would be to have a look at all the
different career choices in the equine sector and then try to gain
knowledge in that sector by doing some work experience. So how
do you get work experience? Well its time to do a bit of research and
start knocking on a few doors, ask your local vet, riding school,
stud etc. if you can come and work for a couple of days for free. Not
many yards will turn down that offer, and even if the type of work
is not for you ask for a small reference and record where you went
for how long and what you learned. It's all useful CV building
material.
So what tips do I have to give you?
Well firstly remember the equine sector is a small world and the most
important thing you have is your reputation. So remember that good
networking skills and honesty are essential. Try not to get involved
with all the gossips on the yard !!
Try to gain as many qualifications as possible: British Horse
Society, NVQs and possibly a degree !
Try to get little fingers in as many pies as possible. The riding
industry is seasonal so try to have more than one string to your
bow.
Give a little time for free! Yes, free help at your local riding
club, pony club etc. Think of all those networking possibilities.
Keep up to date, keep training and trying to learn new ways of doing
things, you never know when they might become useful.
Finally, and most importantly, KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN when you see a
competent farrier, rider or vet; watch them and ask questions. Most
professional people don’t mind you asking a thoughtful question and
then writing down the answer.
So after all that information, if you haven’t gone to sleep with
boredom, what type of jobs are there in the equine industry? Well I
have made a short list of suggestions and if you think I have missed
any out then please feel free to drop me an email and I will add it.
Riding school
- Groom
- Instructor
Racing yard
- Groom/lad
- Jockey
- Trainer
- Racing secretary
Stud work
- Groom
Competition yard (dressage, eventing, show jumping, showing,
driving, polo)
- Groom
- Rider/player/driver
Private yard (i.e. children’s ponies, hacks)
- Groom
Trekking centres
- Groom
- Instructor
Welfare
- Groom
- Management
- Field officer
- Administration
Veterinary centres
- Groom
- Veterinary nurse
Police force
- Groom
- Mounted officer
Specialist areas
- Veterinary nurse
- Chiropractitioner
- Dentist
- Physiotherapist
- Nutritionist
- Problem horse trainer
- Equine behaviourist
Other areas to consider
- Farrier
- Saddler
- Administration/secretarial support
- Horse transport/shipping
As with any vocational effort a career in the equine industry
requires extreme dedication. Working with horses is challenging work but it can be
wonderfully rewarding:
as with any job it has its positive and negative points. Before
embarking on such a career think carefully about all the
implications. It may even be worth helping out on a voluntary basis
for a short time to see what is truly involved. If you are happy
that this is the career for you then . . .
I truly wish you the very best of luck.
If you have any comments or questions about this article then please
don’t hesitate to email me
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