Equine Industry Careers

1. Equine Industry Careers Equine Science 3

2. Essential Skills • Reading • Writing • Math • Listening • Speaking • Critical Thinking • Interpersonal Skills • Technology Skills • Responsibility • Self-Esteem • Self-Management

3. Industry Specific Skills • Interest in horses • Mobility • Particularly in racehorse industry travel may be required • Jobs may be seasonal • Willingness to Volunteer • Having an open mind

4. Importance of Volunteerism • The horse industry thrives on volunteer participation • Volunteering helps you make contacts • Volunteering is a great way to get experience and develop skills through hands on activities • Good way to find out about potential jobs

5. Having an Open Mind • Do not limit your objectives/goals when considering a career in the equine industry • You may have to work into a career gradually (either part-time or volunteer) • Many people who work with rodeos or horse shows are bi-vocational (they work a “regular” job during the week). • Diversifying your skill set (learning new skills) will help you find a job/career • A good way to find out about jobs and to learn more about the industry is to subscribe to trade journals

6. Careers in Equine Science • The careers in the industry fall into several categories: • Directly, Daily contact with horses (Primary) • Supplies and Support Services • Horse shows and Rodeos • Racehorse Industry • Recreational Careers

7. Primary Equine Careers • Veterinarian • Mounted Policeman • Horse Breeder • Riding Instructor • Trainer • Stable Manager • Farrier

8. Veterinarian • Diagnose and treat horses for disease prevention and cure • Also maintain horse health • Required to have a four-year degree plus a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine (DVM)

9. The Vet School Issue • There are only 27 vet schools in the USA • In total they accept ~3000 students per year • Vet school is muchharder to get into than medical school • While a 4 year degree in Animal Science is most common, almost any degree is acceptable for admission

10. Vet School Student Profile • In 2007 the average first year vet student: • Had a 3.54 undergraduate GPA • Was 24 years and 2 months of age • Had been in college for just under 4 ½ years already • Was most likely female

11. Non-Typical Vet Careers • USAF Special Assistant for Biological Warfare Defense • NASA- Astronaut • Wildlife Veterinarian • Agroterrorism Planner/ Coordinator • FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine • EPA Environmental Response Team • USDA Food Safety Inspection Service

12. Mounted Policeman • Mounted Policeman were made famous by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Mounties) who are basically the Canadian FBI • The job requires a college education in law enforcement that should be supplemented by education and experience in horse care and behavior

14. Horse Breeder • Horse Breeders develop and manage equine breeding programs • They should be familiar with traditional breeding as well as techniques such as artificial insemination and semen collection • The education/training must include a strong emphasis on equine reproductive physiology and equine behavior

15. Riding Instructor • Riding Instructors teach others how to ride • They should be familiar with horse and human behavior as well as equestrian principles. • Riding instructors may have formal college education or significant hands on experience and training

16. Horse Trainer • Horse Trainers train horses for different purposes • They should have a strong understanding of horse behavior and have patience • They should relate well to horses in order to overcome the fears of horses • Training may be formal or informal

17. Stable Manager • Stable managers run horse stables • They should have a solid understanding of the proper care and feeding of horses • They should be able to manage employees and make decisions • Much of the work involves working outside and with horses. • Training is typically on-the-job.

18. Farrier • Farriers care for horses’ feet, which includes trimming hooves and shoeing. • Farriers often travel from farm to farm to provide services. • Training is almost always done on an apprenticeship basis. • Most farriers are self-employed.

19. Careers in Equine Supplies and Support • These careers may involve direct contact with horses but not typically on a daily basis. • These jobs typically provide things that are needed by those working in the primary careers. • Tack and Equipment Maker • Extension Horse Specialist • College Professor • Commercial Feed Manufacturer • Horse Trailer Designer

20. Commercial Feed Manufacturer • These jobs involve the production and processing of horse feeds • Therefore a good knowledge of the digestive physiology of horses is important • They must also have a knowledge of feeds and the nutritional values of feed supplements • NCSU offers a minor in Feed Mill Management

21. Horse Trailer Designer • These careers involve designing (and building) horse trailers • Designers must be able to satisfy the demands and concerns of horse owners • This career typically involves little direct contact with horses. • Education may include graphic design as well as basic agricultural engineering.

23. Tack and Equipment Maker • These people design and make tack and other equipment needed in the equine industry • They must understand the role that equipment plays in a successful equestrian activity. • They will usually work more worth riders and owners than horses.

24. Extension Horse Specialist • These government/university employees work with horse owners and other professionals on issues of horse health and management. • They are typically either county extension agents or university specialists who give free advice. • A masters or doctorate degree is needed to be an extension specialist.

25. College Professor • College professors provide instruction to students for a career with an equine science major or minor. • A doctorate degree is required to be a professor.

26. Careers in Horse Shows and Rodeos • These careers often involve daily, direct contact with horses but require travel to different places on a show or rodeo circuit • Ringmaster • Judges • Stewards • Show Secretaries • Show managers • Rodeo Cowboy/Cowgirl • Rodeo clowns

27. Horse Show Jobs • The ringmaster provides direction for the orderly flow of a horse show. -This job is often done on a part-time and volunteer basis. • The Judge’s responsibility is to be a recorder. They are honest, unbiased, and able to apply all association rules toward their discision making. • A steward’s job is to make sure that both the judge and the spectators are abiding by association and USEF rules during all competition times. • Show secretaries are in charge of all paperwork and organizational aspects of a horse show. • The show manager produces the horse show and makes sure to have the show fully staffed and help it to run efficiently.

28. Rodeo Cowboy / Cowgirl • These people must be extremely skilled in riding horses. • They must be willing to travel. • No formal education is required but considerable practice is required to become successful.

29. Racehorse Industry Careers • Often these careers are a blend of primary careers and those jobs on show/rodeo circuits that may be in direct contact with horses on a ranch in addition to traveling on a race circuit. • Jockey/Exercise Rider • Racing Chemist • Handicapper

30. Jockey / Exercise Rider • Jockeys ride horses during races. • Exercise riders ride horses during training. • Jockeys must be extremely competitive. • These jobs are often secured through apprenticeships. • Jockeys may be paid a percentage of the purse or a standard fee.

32. Racing Chemist • Racing Chemists, or drug inspectors, take and analyze blood from horses to check for the use of drugs and steroids. • Racing Chemists must have high moral values (honesty) to insure test credibility. • These people are sometimes employed by states where horse racing is popular. • College degrees, often advanced degrees, are required.

33. Handicapper • Handicappers set “odds” on horses in a race. • They must understand the pair-mutual system. • They should be fair and ethical in handicapping horses. • Degrees in statistics are often useful for these jobs.

34. Recreational Careers • These careers involve those who organize the direct sporting activities and trail rides for hire. • Field Master • Direct hunts and horse activities for sport and recreation. • Must be responsible enough to ensure the safety of all participants.

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