| If you are anything like Robert Botine | | | | a hands-on career gives you flexibility and the ability to |
| Cunningham-Graham, Scottish horseman, writer, and | | | | work around your favorite animals every day. What is |
| adventurer, then you know that there is no heaven | | | | more important to you? Think very seriously about |
| without horses. If you eat, sleep, and breathe horses, | | | | your own interests, abilities, and personality. It won't hurt |
| then why not parlay all your time and effort into a | | | | to spend a few minutes writing down why you want |
| career in the horse industry? Can you imagine a better | | | | to work with horses.o What experience and education |
| way to spend your days? | | | | do I currently have? There is no teacher like |
| Surveys done over the last several years show that | | | | experience, but is it more important than education in |
| there are 7 million horses in the United States today. | | | | the horse industry? That depends on the job. For |
| And according to American Horse Council figures, the | | | | those seeking skilled hands-on positions like trainers, |
| horse industry supports more than 1.4 million full-time | | | | barn managers, and riding instructors, the more time |
| jobs. There are a variety of careers in the horse | | | | you've spent around horses the better. Other choices, |
| industry, from hands-on jobs like large-animal | | | | such as equine vet, writer, public relations expert, or |
| veterinarian to jobs that support the industry, like feed | | | | lawyer require a college education and additional |
| and supplement distributor. There are jobs in breeding, | | | | training.o What experience and education am I willing to |
| showing, health, education, product manufacturing, | | | | get to achieve my career goals? If you require |
| research, recreation, and service industries to name | | | | experience and education to break into a career in the |
| just a few that come to mind. And one of these areas | | | | horse industry, you need to have a good understanding |
| is most likely just right for you! | | | | of how much time and money it is going to cost to |
| So, how do you find a job in the horse industry that is | | | | reach your goals. Do you have the time and money to |
| right for you? Well, before you start randomly sending | | | | spare, and are you willing to do so?o What income do |
| out resumes to every horse-related employer you | | | | I need? Most people work in the horse industry |
| know of, you need to spend some time considering | | | | because their love of horses supercedes their love of |
| the type of career you want. In many cases, you'll | | | | money. Many hands-on jobs provide minimal pay and |
| have to come up with a plan that will lead you to that | | | | benefits just for the pleasure of being around horses. |
| career. As wonderful as it is that you want to be a | | | | Salaries improve with higher-level hands on jobs, and |
| large animal veterinary technician, no one is going to | | | | support jobs often pay the most and offer the best |
| hire you without the right credentials. In other words, like | | | | benefits. Before you make a commitment to a career, |
| most worthwhile pursuits in life, you are going to have | | | | know how much money you need to live. Then do |
| to spend a little time and effort to reach your goals. | | | | some research to find out if your career can |
| So, are you ready? Answer these few simple | | | | realistically support you.o Where should I enter the |
| questions and you'll be on your way to finding an | | | | industry in order to have a good chance of meeting |
| equine career that is right for you:o What do I want out | | | | my goal? Whatever career track you are pursuing, |
| of a horse career? Do you want daily contact with | | | | enter the industry in a job that you can handle with |
| horses, or are you interested in working in a supporting | | | | your present skills and experience. Getting in over your |
| field without daily contact? There are pros and cons to | | | | head may not only prevent you from advancing, it is |
| both. A supporting role may offer you a higher income, | | | | dangerous! Once you've figured out your entry level, |
| regular hours, more job stability, and better benefits, but | | | | you can work your way up as you gain experience. |