Horse Careers
If you have a passion for horses and enjoy working with them, consider turning your passion into a career. The horse industry is a diverse one that provides a number of excellent opportunities for equine enthusiasts and horse lovers to live their dreams. Career choices range from care taking to training to facilitation.
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Equine Vererinarian
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According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the country faces a severe shortage of veterinarians trained to work with large animals like horses and cattle. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2008 median salary for a veterinarian was just over $89,000 per year. Becoming a vet requires a great deal of schooling, starting with four years of college and moving on to four more years of veterinary college. In addition, most large animal vets continue their education by learning about emerging diseases and illnesses that are prevalent in their areas of practice.
Farrier
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Horses need to have their hooves trimmed on a regular basis to prevent serious foot diseases, and show and work horses often need regular shoeing as well. Farriers provide these services for horse owners, and those in the horse industry are always looking for quality farrier services. Those interested in becoming farriers can attend a number of specialized schools throughout the country, or they can do an apprenticeship under a farrier they respect. According to SimplyHired.com, the average salary of a farrier is around $38,000 as of 2010, though salaries are highly variable depending on the number of clients within easy driving distance and the amout of work available. Farriers spend a lot of time driving from farm to farm, so they need to have reliable transportation as well as a professional and caring attitude.
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Horse Trainer
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Some horse trainers work in specialized niches, like training race horses or preparing top horses for competition in the show ring. Others provide more general services to horse owners, training them and their mounts to be safe both on the trail and in the show ring. Becoming a horse trainer is definitely a hands-on endeavor, and the best way to go about it is to seek out a horse trainer you respect and ask about an apprenticeship. SimplyHired.com reports that the average salary of a horse trainer is $34,000 as of 2010, but actual earnings vary widely depending on discipline, experience and client base. Most horse trainers work as independent contractors rather than employees, meaning they are responsible for paying their own taxes and buying their own health care policies.
Boarding Facility Manager
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Many people who own horses do not have the land or the facilities to keep them at home. Those horse owners must seek out quality boarding for their animals. Boarding facility managers are responsible for making sure all the board is paid on time and that all boarders follow the safety rules established by the facility. Facility managers are also responsible for making sure the stalls are kept clean and that all the horses are in good condition. While SimplyHired reports that the average salary of a barn manager is $32,000, actual salaries vary widely according to a number of geographic, training and other factors.
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References
- Photo Credit horse image by Henryk Olszewski from Fotolia.com
