Making a living with horses? Even if you don't...

[mininik]

Okay. I'm 22 now and have just recently started thinking about college. (To all of you parents and any teachers out there; PLEASE encourage your children to go from a young age and help them plan for it if you aren't already.) Honestly, I never thought I'd go to college nor did I even want to. I never really liked school although I was always good at it when I applied myself. All I've ever wanted to do was work with animals (horses in particular) and I always thought the financial end of it would somehow take care of itself. Now of course it isn't working out quite like I'd planned so I'm wishing I'd applied myself just a little more in school and had made plans for continuing my education. Better late than never, I suppose...

Well, now I'm hoping for some suggestions. Anyone? I'm still positive that I want to work with animals (horses in particular). As an aside, I do know that means I'll mainly be working for and with people and that's great. I also know there are many jobs out there (ie. accounting, law, real estate agent, etc.) that can be animal-influenced but won't include every day contact with animals and I've decided that's really not what I want. I'm actually hoping to work my way to vet school but everyone knows becomming a vet is not quick, cheap or easy so I want to be sure I have a back up plan "just in case."

With that in mind, I've been considering the many varied Equine Science programs offered at different colleges all over America but don't know what completing something like that would give me. Honestly, it seems to me that the whole horse industry is so vast and complicated to break into at times that I wonder if it's even possible to make a living in it. I know, I know, "For someone to make a small fortune with horses they have to start with a large one." Well, what's a small or large fortune and do I really want to make either? I just want to do what I love.

 

[minimule]

My young friend (15) is planning on going to college in TX. She wanted to be a vet but has decided to go into Equine Massage or Chiropractic. There seems to be more and more of a demand for this type of horse person. There is also the VERY needed miniature horse farrier!

: If we had a good farrier that specialized in minis in our area, they would be making a small fortune.

 

[mininik]

I've thought about equine massage, sports therapy and chiropractic care so I'm glad you brought that up. I've looked into those briefly but also remember seeing something about most states having laws in place that require a person to have a veterinary license in order to perform these services? I might be way off base (if anyone knows for sure please correct me)...

 

[Jess P]

Thank you for this post! I have been thinking the same thing. I am fifteen and have taken these things into consideration:

Equine Nutritionist

Equine Trainer (minis in particular)

Equine Massage Therapist

Equine Management (Boarding etc)

 

[Miniv]

Better late than never when it comes to education.....and a lot of other things in life!

I don't know about other states, but Oregon has specialized licensing for equine chiropractors and massage therapists.

 

[~LadyBug~]

[SIZE=14pt] :saludando: Hey I might be able to help you out a bit, [/SIZE]

I am an ESMT (eqine sports massage therapist) so if you have any questions about this, please feel free to ask here or PM me.

Please note that I am also a veterinary technician, and this is what I rely on for a steady income.

Being an ESMT is great, I love it, and it is a very rewarding job. HOWEVER, even though the demand for our services steadily increases, there is not enough money in it to make a career in most cases. I am not saying it can't be done, but please dont put 'all your eggs in one basket' so to speak.

The going rate around here (western PA) is about $50 bucks an hour. Sounds great, until there comes a week where you get, say one hour. or no hours.

Most Equine Sports Massage Therapy programs are fairly affordable to enroll in, so I reccomend them highly for those that want to pursue a business venture, or those that just want the knowledge for their own horses.

But please have a back up plan.

There is money to be made in the animal business, but its hard to find. Obviously a vet is going to be at the top of the list, but this is not possible or practical for many of us. Being a technician is a great job, I encourage you to look into this possibility as well.

IMHO, the hardest aspect of the horse business to break into would be anything involving training/competition/production/racing. Not to speak for everyone, but i think its fair for me to state that the vast majority of those that are successful in these fields are those that started with a large financial backing.

Well I will get off my soapbox here, please ask if you have any questions about massage therapy or veterinary technology.

Good luck in your endeavors! :aktion033:

Ashley

 

[minimule]

It is a shame that an Equine Massage Therapist doesn't make as much money as a HUMAN therapist! Here it is about $1/minute. I think the last ESMT I talked to was just getting started and she was charing $25/hour, usually lasts 1.5 hours. I know you like to build a cliental but you have to make some money too.

I agree on the training/breeding aspect. If you really want to make some money in that area, you have to put out some money (breeding part) and then for training, you have to prove yourself which could take some time.

I still would like to buy my dream ranch in TX. It had a HUGE main barn that could be used for boarding, foaling, training. The payment alone was only $16K a month. :new_shocked:

: BUT if it could be done.....I'd be there in a heartbeat! :bgrin

 

[mininik]

Thanks everyone for your replies so far. I've put off posting something like this for some time as I figured I just needed to keep searching and find the answers for myself. (Well, I've been "searching" in one way or another since I was your age, Jessica.) It's nice to finally get some input from real people and not just old articles or college websites... please, keep the posts coming!

Ashley, I'll be in touch about ESMT and vet tech. stuff soon. Your post was very helpful and I'd be great to chat further.

 

[mininik]

Okay, a little more: It has always been my dream to train and show (Miniature and/or Arabian) horses professionally. For various reasons I've never thought I could "make it" breeding (and honestly don't think I'd really want to) but wouldn't mind having a small band of mares and a select few foals here and there at some point. I keep looking for a way to get my foot in the door working for a top trainer in either of my chosen breeds but it's hard as I've been away from showing Minis for a few years and have never been in the Arab showring. I'll need a refresher course in Minis and still have tons to learn in either breed before I could set out on my own but I know I'd love it. I just need an honest chance but guess I'll probably have to work towards this goal on my own.

:

 

[Fred]

Years ago my dream was to be a vet. I was accepted at a jr college but because of the family situation I was unable to attend. Later on as a single parent I was able to attend and found out when I started that I just couldn't do small animals. I transferred over to large animal science and got my degree. I never became a vet but the degree I have in applied science for large animals has helped me immensely. I have been a barn manager, herdsman, and am now and have been for 18 years a farrier. If I so choose I could be a professional trainer in a heartbeat but prefer to stay amateur at this time. [it's more fun, and no stress!]. Get a degree in applied sciences you will use it no matter what you do. Even when I have had jobs not related to agriculture it has helped. Good luck! Linda B

 

[CAM]

Have you considered going to college for something you enjoy that is non-horse related that allows you a flexible schedule and good pay? Then you would have the time and the $ to focus on that part of horses that you enjoy the most.

I finished all of my pre-requisites for veterinary school while I was in dental hygiene school (summer terms & yes, I was a bit of an overachiever

with the idea that I would go to vet school when I was done with hygiene school. I really liked the medical or dental field but my heart's desire was working with animals from a young age. I volunteered and held paid jobs working for veterinarians from my teenage years on. Well, I was set to apply to vet school when I got pregnant sooner than my husband and I anticipated. Oops! I was happy and sad at the same time however, as I look back, it was the best thing that happened to me. I have the ability to make a great income with a flexible schedule and get the best part of my dream to work with animals: raising horses. And without the debt of veterinary school behind me.

Most vets I talk to that have been in it awhile have other interests/jobs on the side or are hoping to change careers. I think for us that are on the outside, it can appear like a wonderful job working with animals, but frankly, most of us don't see the hard work, long hours, low pay, and the schools loans that go into all of it. I am just thankful to have the opportunity to do what I love while being home raising my children.

You are doing the right thing by researching all aspects of this and I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide.

 

[runamuk]

Well lets see...how about an MBA that would give you the business clout to run a high end farm along with any other type of business.....or AI and repro...which often translates to other species with more need....I actually have no business giving advice as I have ZERO degree's and probably won't be getting one any time soon....my problem is and was...I know what I enjoy but how the heck do you turn that into a degree? or the other problem of all those totally boring courses you have to take...sorry I do not have money to throw away on english 101

:

: when something much more interesting costs the same........but hey I won't be getting a degree any time soon.....costs way tooooooooo much......so we are focusing on helping my kids find ways to continue their educations

: ...I do not want them stuck dead end topped out at $10 hr jobs

:

:

 

[KrisP]

Another thing to remember is that horses are a luxury and with the economy luxuries are always the first thing to go. I live near a college that has an equine program but really there are probably at least 20 graduates for each job out there, the majority that I know who've graduated from there are in totally unrelated fields, in fact I know a few that went back and got nursing degrees, they make better money and can better afford their horse habit.

I know that I LOVED running a private stable for a while but got really burnt out, I was no longer enjoying my own horses so as much as I loved the horses I cared for I quit.

Good luck on your quest and your doing the right thing to look at all options.

krisp

 

[Robin1]

I have a friend here in AZ that went to school for Equine Message Therapy. She graduated over a year ago and has advertised in several places. She has yet to get any clients, other than giving freebee's to help get things going.

She is also a certified vet tech and that is what pays the rent, bread & butter.

Some years ago, when I was in college, I had a professor that had 4 daughters. His wife and all daughters had a degree in education. He said they could be/do anything they wanted but have a degree in education so they could always get a job as a teacher if things got bad.

Just a couple ideas.

Robin

 

[Horse Hugs]

This is a timely question since the Equine Journal has an article on this very subject and I was reading it last night.

My daughter is a Junior at Cornell University majoring in Biology and taking pre-med courses. Her plans up until recently were to become a Vet specializing in exotic animals and to work at Sea World. After college she would have to attend 4 years of Vet school and then another 3 years internship to achieve this. After talking with a few female Vets and doing an internship she isn't sure she wants to pursue this anymore. She's afraid the huge debt she will have when she gets finished might not be worth it.

Some of the horse related fields that are mentioned in this article- (I'll skip any ones that have been previously mentioned) are:

*Breeding (genetics) Specialist- university research, teaching, extension, sire analysis, breed associations, etc.

*Extension Agent

*Management Systems Specialist- university research, teaching, consulting, livestock organizations, computer management systems, etc.

*Nutritionist- university research, teaching, feed companies, drug and pharmaceutical companies, consulting

*Professor- junior college, university

*Research Assistant- university or pharmaceutical/biotech company

*Reproduction Specialist- artificial insemination, embryo transfer labs, private farms

*Veterinary supply companies-sales and service

*Government positions- brand inspector, Bureau of Land Management, Parks and Recreation, U.S. Dept of Agriculture, etc.

*Guest Ranch Management

*Insurance- agents, appraisers, investigators- specializing in equine

*Breed Registries and Associations- many positions, including public relations, events management, computer programming, librarian/archivist, etc.

*Equine publications- editrs, writers, photographers, advertising sales, field reps

*CPA- specializing in equine/agriculture businesses

Hope this might be helpful to you. :bgrin Good luck

 

[stormo41]

Hey there. If being a vet takes to much time and money for you i suggest taking a course that allows to work in the head office of a vet clinc, here you will see all the animals, however if you really want to work with horses themselves. You could become a farrier, or as said before a EMT. I don't know you, but i'm going to tell you that you sould try to do something other then something with horses that you enjoy. if you think about it there is some way to tie them together. mine was really easy, i love horses, and i love photography, so naturaly equine photography is what i want to do, but i also want to photograph other things (people, other animals, buildings, fashion). just think it through and you will find something.

 

[Bluerocket]

You might wish to check out this website: www.kemi.org

The Kentucky Equine Management Internship program is an excellent one. They can also help you determine what education requirements you might need to be able to participate in their program.

There is an excellent College here in Midway, KY with an outstand Equine program. Midway College www.midway.edu.

Good luck

JJay

 

[mininik]

What can I say? Wow. Thank you all SO MUCH for taking the time to answer my post! I've re-read all of your replies twice already and I know I'll re-read them many more times. Your positivity, excellent ideas and suggestions are all greatly appreciated. If anyone else out there has something to contribute, please do post. Thanks, again!

:

 

[MiniHGal]

I'll second the have a back up plan...LOL. My mom is a vet, and while she loves her job and still loves animals....its hard, long hours, and what you actually get paid for the level of work you do is pretty dang low. She also just finished paying off her college loans THIS YEAR...as I am going into college! And she makes good money for a vet(because, and I say this without bias, she is a dang good one too).

I still am not quite sure I want to become a vet, however, I know I can do it. I do know I do not want to work in small animal, so I am gearing my experience more toward equine. It's going to be a hard 7-8 years and then, I go through the stress of trying to find a job and get enough money to survive(with my horses, of course). But hey.

Do you think you can do well in the courses? Do you think you will or will not be burned out by it? What about the hours--bad, good, other?

I would love to be a driving trainer--that just really floats my boat, as some would say. I love working with young horses, I enjoy bringing them along, overcoming their fears, challenges, etc. In fact, I would almost rather train young horses than driving already trained ones on a given day. BUT I know it would be exceptionally hard to make money doing that...and the health risks are pretty large for the amount of money earned(esp. with big horses).

 

[txminipinto]

Its already been said, but because I am one, I thought I would join in. Registered (or Certified, Licensed - it doesn't matter) Veterinary Technicians are in HIGH demand. I love my day job! And I still have time to pursue my dream job as a professional trainer/handler. You've got to find something that you love because its what you are going to be doing for the majority of your awake hours. Now I will admit, it doesn't always pay great and sometimes the benefits aren't to good either. But the peace of mind it will give you with your own animals is priceless. I've never regretted going to tech school. Several of the DVMs I work with keep telling me to go back to school to get my DVM, but I'm not interested in the responsibilty or the student loans they have. I know I could do it, but I couldn't live the life I'm living now. I might have more $$ in my pocket, but I wouldn't have the time I do.

Don't hestitate to email me if you want to talk more about this career choice. I went thru a 2 year program (the best in state and at the time I was there, nation) and haven't looked back. I've been published already, with 2 more publications on the way, plus 2 speaking arrangements in April.