If your passion is all things equestrian, what better career is there for you than one which involves horses? According to statistics, there are nearly eight million horses in the US, which means that there are lots of opportunities for the dedicated horse lover to find a rewarding career which involves the horse. What better way to earn your living than by getting paid to do something that you love?
There are lots of careers that involve horses in some way or another. Below are just a few suggestions.
- If you are not too big you could train to become a jockey. Jockeys can earn big money if they are lucky enough to be employed by one of the big trainers and get the rides on some of the stable stars.
- If you are too big to be a jockey, you could be a stable hand in one of the big training yards. The work is hard and the hours are long. There will be lots of mucking out and grooming to be done but you would also get to ride out on the horses that you are given to look after. You would also probably go to the races on the days that your charge is running, you would lead out your horse in the parade ring then, after the race, it would be your job to look after the horse by washing him down and walking him round until he has cooled down.
- You could be a teacher in a riding school. You will need to pass the exams that apply in your country before a reputable riding school would employ you but, if you are a knowledgeable and competent horseman/woman, that shouldn’t be too difficult.
- There are lots of opportunities for good farriers. This career choice would mean some extensive training as you would be involved in shoeing and trimming of the horses hooves. Done correctly, this can greatly enhance a horse’s competition ability but if it is not done properly, it could ruin a good horse. Good farriers are very scarce these days, so with the right certification and training, you could make a lot of money.
- If you have some land, you could go into the livery yard business. You could build some good stable blocks and either rent out each stable to horse owners on a DIY basis or you could charge a monthly fee and you take charge of the owners horse and do all the work. The choice you make here depends on the amount of work that you want to do and if you are prepared to have owners coming and going on your premises at all hours.
These are just a few of the career choices that involve horses but there are a lot more. Do a little research to find out what certification or qualifications you would need to pursue the career of your dreams. Another good idea is to speak to someone who is actually doing the job that you are interested in to get a little insider information. Most people are only too happy to offer advice and insight into their particular field of equestrianism.
