What young child has never dreamed of working with horses for a living? Maybe they imagine life as a cowboy in the wild west, or becoming a world-renowned barrel racer. Maybe the dream was fleeting, but let’s be honest, we’ve all considered it at one point or another. While the life of an equestrian certainly comes with its trials, working with horses in any capacity is sure to be an incredible way to live a life.
Many people think that the possibilities of working with horses are limited to training, teaching, or competitive riding. While those are all common and valid careers within the industry, they are far from the only ones to choose from. Here is a brief overview of several career options to consider in the equine industry, and even if you’re no longer a daydreaming child, it’s never too late to pursue your passions.
Horse Trainer
Arguably the most commonly thought of career path when it comes to horses, being a horse trainer is certainly still one to consider. You might think this has become an oversaturated part of the equine industry, but with the amount of different horse disciplines, events, riders, and techniques, there is no shortage of opportunities when it comes to horse training. Plus, everyone is an individual, and no one will do it just like you.
You might have a particular passion for reigning or cutting, two highly specialized events in the western riding world that don’t get nearly as much attention as they deserve. Training a horse takes hundreds of hours to start and continues to thousands of hours over a horse’s lifetime, so you certainly have to be committed to whatever version of training that you choose, but it’s sure to be the greatest reward when each and every horse makes a breakthrough.
While training horses certainly comes with its risks and requires a great deal of attention to the ethics of your training methods and the well-being of the horses you work with, the sky is truly the limit if this is a career you want to pursue.
Groom
A groom, also commonly known as a stable hand, is another popular choice in the equine industry. Maybe you’re not that interested in revolutionizing the horse training world, but you have a deep passion for taking care of horses and enjoy being around them every day. Maybe you want to become a trainer, riding instructor, or barn manager someday but need some more professional experience. Either way, being a groom is an incredibly important job, even if it is often a stepping stone to others.
It is definitely a requirement that to be a groom, you have to be incredibly dedicated to the care that horses require. You don’t necessarily need to know everything at the beginning, but you do need to understand the basics of being around horses, common ailments and behaviors to look out for, and knowing how to handle horses on your own. You also need to be okay with heavy lifting, hard manual labor, getting dirty, and dealing with poop. A lot of poop. Nonetheless, if you love the every day tasks of caring for horses and desire a hands-on career being around them everyday, this is the one for you.
Horse Riding Instructor
Often used interchangeably with horse trainers, a horse riding instructor’s duties do often overlap with a horse trainer’s, but not always. Horse riding instructors are exactly what they sound like; these are the teachers of the equestrian world who teach everyone from beginners to Olympic competitors how to ride their horses. Instructors can be highly specialized, often having been competitors themselves in a particular or series of horse riding events before becoming an instructor. Some instructors only teach one discipline of riding, such as barrel racing or western pleasure, while others focus more on teaching beginner and intermediate level riders.
Horse riding instructors often double as a horse trainer, as they tend to have their own horses that they use for teaching purposes or still compete in addition to teaching but have to continue training simultaneously. It’s relatively common for instructors to wear multiple hats, so if you like a lot of variety in your work and working with other people in addition to horses, this could be a great career choice for you.
Equine Veterinarian
Another common childhood dream, but centered around their love for horses. Equine veterinarians are some of the most important people across the horse world. These highly specialized professionals are there for you and your horse day and night, working tirelessly to keep everyone healthy or getting them back to it. Anyone who has spent time around horses knows how easily they get injured, and we would be completely lost without our equine veterinarians.
Equine veterinarians will often travel from barn to barn for their jobs, conducting home visits for horses who can’t, or prefer not to, travel to their practice. They go through several years of training, often 8+ for their careers and are profoundly dedicated to their roles in the equine industry. They can be more general practitioners that deal with common ailments, mystery injuries, and routine services such as vaccinations or check-ups. But they can also be highly specialized, such as equine surgeons or offer orthopedic equine services.
Being an equine veterinarian is no easy job, the schooling takes upwards if not over a decade, the hours are grueling, and the outcomes are not always happy endings. However, it can also be one of the most rewarding and exciting careers that the equine industry has to offer.
These are just some of the most commonly considered careers in the equine industry, but the possibilities are truly endless when it comes to working with horses. There are options out there you probably would never consider, but are some of the most vital roles in terms of horse care and well-being. The sky is the limit for those that want a life spent with these incredible animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What qualifications do you need to work with horses?
Basic horse handling experience is essential, while advanced careers like veterinarians require university degrees and professional certifications.
2. What is a groom in the equine industry?
A groom or stable hand is responsible for daily horse care, including feeding, grooming, cleaning stalls, and monitoring horse health.
3. Can you work with horses without a degree?
Yes, many roles like groom, trainer, and instructor rely more on experience than formal education.
4. Can beginners start a career with horses?
Yes! Many people start as lesson students, stable hands, or volunteers to gain experience. Every equine professional started out as a beginner just like you, and there’s no age limit to get started in a career with horses.
5. Can you make a living working with horses?
Yes, many people build successful careers in the equine industry through experience and specialization. With so many options out there in the equine industry, you’re sure to find your place working with horses if that’s where your passions lie.