Ways To Live And Work With Horses?
Some people are born with an enduring love of horses. Maybe it’s the spirited nature of the animal, or the sleek, cool way they run, but horses are some of the most popular animals in the world with humans. They are also extremely useful and prior to the motorized vehicle, was the primary means of transportation, apart from steam engines. Horses have been traded as trade goods, used for ploughing and brought up as pets since the first humans tamed them. Today, owning a horse can cost a pretty penny so not everyone can indulge in their love of horses. Here are some career paths that will take you into or near the stables during your work day.
Work the Tracks
Horse racing is a popular and lucrative sport – as long as you don’t lose the bets. Whether you’re working as a jockey, a trainer, a stable hand, making bets like a bookie or part of a horse syndicate or own the stables, working on the tracks means you will constantly be near horses. As a stable hand, trainer or jockey, you will be able to look after and ride the horses all the time; stable hands practically live with the horses after all, get heaps of ideas from bloodstock auction
As an owner of a member of a horse syndicate you will constantly be inspecting the horses to see if they are well treated and in top shape to run the races. Bookies spend all their time hunting for nuggets of info on the horses and their well-being because it affects the odds in the bets. They observe the horses closely and spend a lot of time around the horses.
Apply for a Riding School
Whether as a trainer, a student or a stable hand, working in a riding school is a good way to spend time with horses if you can’t afford to have one of your own. Every one of these positions are closely linked to the horse; trainers have to know the horse well before they put students on them, students are encouraged by trainers to spend as much time possible with the horse, and stable hands are responsible for the care and well-being of the horse. There are also some riding schools that are willing to stable a privately-owned horse that doesn’t have a stable of its own, with the proviso that owners pay for feed and keep. This means that on occasion, purebred horses come through a riding school too.
Work as an Animal Handler
Animals are used in various performances such as photo shoots, movies, in renaissance fairs etc. and these horses require a handler. There are special corrals, stables and agencies that train animals to appear in these performances and if you have a knack with horses, a handler’s job will be perfect for you. You will work closely with a few horses and train each to respond to subtle signals that you can teach the rider to get the horse to do what it wants. Animal handlers have to have a lot of patience and discipline in order to train animals and must treat them kindness. The more experience you have, the better you will be so apply for a horse handling job now.
