Working with horses for a living.....

[KJ4SGU]

I have always loved horses. I can pick out certain purebreds by look. Eventually, I'd love to spend my life dedicated to these graceful beasts, by working with them on my own cattle ranch and rehabilitation center. Using my personal horses for rounding, and for personal company alone (trails, such), taking in show horses for rehabilitation and such. What all do I need to know, if at all possible I'd like to know everything, but need basic knowledge first.

 

[SmallFarmGirl]

I bet you'll learn ALOT !!!

 

[currycomb]

well, you will never learn everything. start reading everything you can get your hands on. then find a knowledgeable mentor. you can offer to work for free, cleaning stalls, feeding and watering. then when you have observed for awhile, maybe you can handle some of the horses. rescues are always looking for help. boarding stables too, but they must be really picky who handles the client's horses. don't get discouraged. maybe go to school for a vet tech position, that could open so many doors.

 

[KJ4SGU]

is there a specific area you would suggest to start my research? i know there is so much to learn

 

[KJ4SGU]

yall are helping so much

 

[redtailgal]

I'm not sure exactly how we can help you with this.

Curry comb offered about the best advice available. Find yourself a local barn and start working. The only way you will be able to achieve this is with hands on experience and a lot of studying. You need a mentor.

You wanted to know the specific area to start your research, and I recommend that you begin by getting a job in a stable, cleaning stalls. You'll have to work your way up from there.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

I have to agree.

I started working with horses years ago. I worked for a person who had race horses. I cleaned stalls, I bathed horses, I cleaned stalls, I walked horses, I cleaned stalls, I harnessed the horses for their exercise, I cleaned stalls, eventually, I started exercising horses, I cleaned stalls, and then years later I rescued some horses and today, I clean stalls, I feed horses, I clean stalls, I ride horses, and then I clean stalls.

Just being around horses and those who have years of experience is what you need. You can read books or we could tell you everything we know, but you will still not be ready.

With all the horses that I have worked with over the years, every one is different and everyone will teach you something new.

Good Luck!

 

[KJ4SGU]

i guess i need to do some research and try and find some nearby stables... I honestly wont mind mucking stalls if the owner doesnt mind me staying a little late to just watch them, maybe use some in my photography.

 

[redtailgal]

Your going to be pretty hard pressed to find a place willing to let you do something other than muck stalls until you prove yourself, so its a good thing you wont mind, lol.

Keep your nose clean, your hands dirty and your mouth shut.........and you will make a good impression that WILL get you in the door. Dont expect immediate results.

I started out the same way, cleaing dirty stalls. Then I was allowed to feed, then wash a few. It built like that a little at a time, until I was a barn manager and in charge of training all the babies, and working some of the olympic dressage horses. (it was 4 years before I was allowed to sit on one of the olympic horses).

A word of warning, though. Your desires and ambitions leave you very vulnerable to being taken advantage of. Dont lower your standards to get in "the door". Expect to be treated well and paid little to nothing.

I wish you luck on this, but you will need backbone and determination more than luck.

What type of photograpy are you interested in? I am also a camera buff, lol. It seems that we have a few things in common! Check out my photo webpage link below and the photo section of this forum from the link below.

 

[KJ4SGU]

oh, i dont do anything fancy...Not nearly good enough... It's more for a scrapbook of sorts than anything. I just love everything bout horses. they have always been the one constant in my life. i was in a group home at 14 yrs old and we had horses we rode...had my first english style lessons at 12...didnt get too far befor we couldnt afford it, but i sure did make the most of every moment i had with them.