Five Careers in the Equine Industry

Whether you’re a young horseman coming up through school or a seasoned veteran of the workforce looking to change careers, it’s never too early — or too late – to consider a job in the equine industry. If horses and the Western way of life are your passions, a career that allows you to promote them to others just like you can be very fulfilling.

“I think people should consider careers in the equine industry because for many people, horses are their passion, and we tend to be the happiest when we’re working for, toward, and within the elements we’re most passionate about,” said Jessie Jarvis, founder and CEO at Of The West, the job platform for the agriculture and Western industries. “For many young adults, owning their own horse isn’t always feasible, and [a job in the industry] allows them to still be involved in some way. For those who are more established and possibly looking for a career change, the equine industry is a great sector to consider because nothing is more rewarding than knowing your daily efforts are working toward building a stronger, more robust equine industry.”

Quarter Horse News put together some information on different careers in the industry to help you know where to begin.

Hands-On

There are two main options for careers in the horse industry: those that work directly with horses, and those that support the industry but don’t involve a person getting their hands on a horse every day. Jobs working with horses can be very rewarding and enjoyable, but they are also usually physically difficult, time-consuming and, without boundaries, can blur the line between work and play. For those willing to work hard, these jobs can lead to fulfilling careers.

“The equine industry is growing at a rate like never before, and due to that, the need for equine professionals is only going to increase as time goes on,” Jarvis said. “In addition to that growing number, I think we are also going to see an increase in the number of education pathways and trade programs focused on equine industry careers, allowing the sector to continue to grow and meet that future demand for equine industry jobs.”

Job: Equine Veterinarian A veterinarian performs a flexion test on a horse. * QHN File Photo

As long as horses can become sick or injured, there will be a need for equine veterinarians. People who become veterinarians tend to have good communication skills and are likely science- and math-minded. A love for animals is certainly necessary, but keep in mind you’ll be working with people just as much as horses. Compassion is a key element, as you’ll likely have to help owners face difficult situations and hard decisions.

To become a veterinarian requires extensive education: four-and-a-half years of undergraduate education, followed by four years of veterinary school, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. All of that schooling isn’t cheap — the average cost of veterinary school in the U.S. is $200,000 — so many young veterinarians go into the workforce with lots of student loan debt in tow. There is, however, a shortage of equine veterinarians around the country, so if it’s a career path you’re interested in, you’ll certainly find a demand for it.

Job: Trainer

If patience and an ability to think outside the box are traits you possess and you have good business sense, people skills and riding abilities, you might think about becoming a horse trainer. There’s no doubt it takes a lot of work to become a successful trainer — many riders don’t realize how many hours their coaches put in every day. If you work hard and find your niche in the industry, though, you might find yourself eventually working with the industry’s nicest horses, most well-known owners and other top-level trainers.

You don’t need a degree to become a trainer — many would argue that apprenticeships under other trainers provide the best education — but some colleges offer equine science programs, while others have certificate programs in horse starting and horsemanship. It doesn’t hurt to take business classes, either, and having a degree to fall back on should you change your mind is never a bad thing.

Job: Farrier

Another job that gets lots of hands-on experience with horses is that of the farrier. Farriers are specialists that trim, balance and shoe horses’ feet. Being a farrier is physically demanding — most of your day is spent bent over while holding a horse’s foot up, after all — and without proper equipment, it can be hard on your body. Once you get established in a location, though, you can often pick and choose the hours, days and clients you want to work with.

Apprenticeships with veteran farriers are a great way to learn, and as your business grows, there are programs through organizations like the American Farrier’s Association (AFA) that will test you on your ability to perform the work to a prescribed standard. The AFA offers several levels of certification, from Certified Farrier, to Certified Tradesman Farrier, to Certified Journeyman Farrier. Some farriers go beyond even that and become specialists for certain breeds, activities and disciplines. Since most farriers are self-employed, business classes can be useful.

Hands-Off

If you are interested in a career in the industry but don’t necessarily have to be around horses every day, there are many different options to look into. While these jobs don’t involve riding or caring for horses, they often allow you to talk about horses — or something related to horses — every day, scratching the horse bug itch.

Announcers are essential to horse shows, team ropings and rodeos. * QHN File Photo

“While there isn’t any kind of study I can quote numbers from, I can confidently say that the majority of careers in the equine industry do not work directly with horses,” Jarvis said.

“All of the products, businesses and organizations that keep our industry going are centered around the horse; however, that doesn’t mean they physically touch a horse on a daily basis. But that doesn’t mean their work is ‘less than’ others who do work directly with horses because without those feed companies, tack companies, publications, events or member organizations, there’s no denying that our industry would cease to exist. It takes every single job in the equine industry to keep it moving forward.”

Job: Journalist

Can you craft compelling stories, communicate results efficiently and hunt down news leads? If so, you might consider a career as an equine journalist. These writers and editors communicate industry news and document horse, rider, owner, trainer and breeder achievements. Without them, the Western performance horse industry archive would remain blank.

To become a journalist, you will need a bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism or a related agriculture degree. Having a good command of the English language, sentence structure, grammar and punctuation rules is critical, as are strong computer skills. Photography and basic videography skills are a plus, and in this day and age, knowledge of social media platforms is essential. And of course, to be successful in the equine industry, you must have a good understanding of horse anatomy, horsemanship and the disciplines you are covering.

Job: Show Manager

Those with an interest in both event management and horses might consider a career in show management. These people keep the horse show world running by hosting the industry’s events, from the top futurities to the smallest local weekend shows. If you are organized, enjoy problem solving, have a mind for budgets and can dedicate the time that is needed, show management might be for you. A bachelor’s degree in agriculture business, public relations, communication or even hotel and restaurant management can be useful for those seeking to become show managers. Internships at different equine sport governing bodies can help you network with people in the field and learn the rules of the organizations, and some, like the American Quarter Horse Association, offer show management workshops with online certifications. Experience managing people can be a boon, as show managers typically work with a plethora of assistants, from full time help to volunteers.