Horse Training Career Information
When little girls dream of becoming horse trainers when they grow up, their plans to spend days in the saddle aren't always far from the truth. However, a lot more work goes into horse training than just riding. A trainer must effectively sell herself, proving she is the best trainer for the job. A self-employed trainer also must run her own small business.
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Required Education
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Becoming a horse trainer doesn't require a college degree but does call for a background with horses. A trainer must have years of experience behind him before he can successfully tackle the role of teaching horses or of teaching the people that come with those horses.
Some colleges do offer equestrian degrees, however. The University of Arizona, the University of Maryland and the University of Louisville, among others, feature equine business degrees.
Quarter Horse trainer Cleve Wells suggests that all would-be trainers apprentice with established trainers.
Types of Training
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Horse trainers appear in every realm of the equine world. Horses and riders alike need trainers in sports ranging from reining and show jumping to racing and vaulting. Hollywood employs horse trainers for movies featuring an equine cast. Other trainers simply school young horses, teaching them the basics of horseback riding, as well as teaching novice riders.
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Business Opportunities
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In the horse industry, a trainer has the option of starting his own business and seeking out clients or going to work for an established stable or horse owner.
Job Requirements
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A trainer's role varies depending on the specific type of training she performs. Many trainers, especially at the lower levels of competition and in the schooling realm, must also be excellent riders, as they will spend hours on horseback each week. Other trainers, such as racing trainers and stunt trainers, may never climb into a saddle.
All trainers must feel comfortable around horses and have a strong knowledge of horses' behavior and health. Regardless of training style, all trainers spend a lot of hands-on time with their animals.
Some trainers must also double as their animals' grooms, caring for their horses by feeding them, cleaning their stalls and attending to their veterinary needs.
Earnings
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As with the roles trainers may fulfill, their earnings also vary widely. According to the University of Arizona, "Top horse trainers can make a very good living--charging $500-$1000 per month for each individual horse in training. A trainer could have a number of horses in training, so you can see the monthly salary could be quite good."
Trainers at lower levels or who don't experience a high success rate, however, frequently earn a small income as they scramble to keep work steady.
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References
- Photo Credit race horse 8 image by Clarence Alford from Fotolia.com
