How to Work in a Horse Barn

If you love horses, working in a horse barn can be a dream job. As wonderful as it can be, though, working in a horse barn is not an easy job. Depending on the type of stable, the work can vary greatly. A pleasure barn where the horses are privately owned by casual riders may require only maintenance work such as cleaning stalls, but a thoroughbred training barn or show jumping barn might require riding or grooming duties.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Experience working around large animals, especially horses
• Proper attire
• General horse-care knowledge
• Breed specific, discipline specific experience

How to Work in a Horse Barn

1. Working in a horse barn requires you being comfortable around very large animals. Knowing how horses react to different movements and understanding equine body language is vital.

2. 

   Learn all you can about the proper grooming methods. Know that some grooming and horse care is general to all breeds, and some is specific to certain breeds or riding styles. If you have a preference for a certain type of horse or training style to work around, learn all you can about the details of that breed/discipline.

3. Wear the right clothing. Proper footwear is always important when working around such large animals. Hard shoes or boots are a minimum, stable boots are better. They are made to help prevent injuries from a stray hoof. For general stable work that includes activities such as feeding, mucking stalls, and possible turn out of the horses, loose comfortable clothing that is appropriate for the weather is fine. For riding work close fitting riding breeches that do not flap about are important.

4. Know what to expect regarding pay. Pay scales vary depending on the type of barn work that is required. Base pay in top training barns ranges from $8 to $12 an hour. In some cases racing, jumping, or show training barns have extensive intern programs where grooms and stable hands are given room and board plus a small stipend in exchange for work, and also receive training in riding and training in the discipline of the stable.

5. 

   Study trade journals of the disciplines you are interested in if you want to work in a specific type of horse barn. If you just want to work in a general stable situation visit local barns and spend some time hanging around getting to know the people that own the facility. Inquire about possible work positions or work-for-lesson possibilities. Larger barns are more likely to need help.

6. Be reliable. One of the most important aspects barn owners look for in help is showing up on time and completing tasks when required. Feeding horses must be done on a regular schedule no matter what type of barn you work in, and a back up of other duties causes problems for both animal and owner.

References

• Barn Employment

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