Nicola Routledge

Portsmouth High School 1990 - 1995

Careers in the Equine Industry

 People who work with horses find their career fits into one of two categories. It is either a wonderfully fulfilling, exciting, rewarding and challenging way of life, or a cold, wet, brain-numbing, dead end job with little pay and satisfaction! If you are totally dedicated it will be the former, if you are at all uncertain it will soon become the latter!

I have gained several qualifications, including the BHSAI for teaching riding, an equine science degree, a post-graduate diploma in McTimoney Animal Chiropractic and equine massage certificates.  I also worked hard to gain practical experience so can now offer a range of services including treating back problems in horses (and dogs), teaching riding, schooling on young horses or badly behaved horses, breaking in horses to carry a rider, and I also teach people how to massage their animals.  I am currently setting up homestudy courses in pony care for kids, and have had several articles published in equine magazines. Needless to say I enjoy my work and find it totally fulfilling, not to mention incredibly busy!

Many people within the equine industry are employed by one yard or establishment. In order to progress, it is important to select a job where there is training and the opportunities to gain further qualifications and experience. Alternatively, people may choose to go self-employed (as I did) and diversify to provide a wider range of services for clients.

A typical week for me includes 10 hours schooling horses, 2-4 hours teaching, 6 hours or more treating animals backs, and at least 2 hours paperwork. There is also 5-10 hours a week travelling to clients. That usually leaves me about 10 hours to devote to the courses I run and writing articles, and enough time to ride my own horse! (just!)

If you are considering working in the equine industry be warned that the hours are often long, the pay is certainly not high, and you will have to work incredibly hard (physically). You will need to get qualifications in the areas you wish to work in and will need bags of determination, confidence and good communication skills with horse-owners and/or yard bosses to succeed. You will however, be a whole lot healthier and if you do have the burning desire necessary to work with horses, you will find it far more rewarding and satisfying than any office job there is!

 For more information or advice, contact me through the Minerva website.