Equine Equine Industry Industry CareersCareers

Equine Science 3

Essential SkillsEssential Skills• Reading• Writing• Math• Listening• Speaking • Critical

Thinking

• Interpersonal Interpersonal SkillsSkills

• Technology SkillsTechnology Skills

• ResponsibilityResponsibility

• Self-EsteemSelf-Esteem

• Self-ManagementSelf-Management

Industry Specific SkillsIndustry Specific Skills• Interest in horses• MobilityoParticularly in racehorse industry

travel may be requiredo Jobs may be seasonal

• Willingness to Volunteer• Having an open mind

Importance of Importance of VolunteerismVolunteerism

• 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

Having an Open MindHaving 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

Careers in Equine Careers in Equine ScienceScience

• The careers in the industry fall into several categories:oDirectly, Daily contact with horses

(Primary)oSupplies and Support ServicesoHorse shows and RodeosoRacehorse IndustryoRecreational Careers

Primary Equine Primary Equine CareersCareers

• Veterinarian• Mounted Policeman• Horse Breeder• Riding Instructor• Trainer• Stable Manager• Farrier

VeterinarianVeterinarian• 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)

The Vet School IssueThe Vet School Issueo There are only 27 vet schools in the USAo In total they accept ~3000 students per

year• Vet school is much harder to get into than

medical school• While a 4 year degree in Animal Science is

most common, almost any degree is acceptable for admission

Vet School Student Vet School Student ProfileProfile

• In 2007 the average first year vet student:oHad a 3.54 undergraduate GPAoWas 24 years and 2 months of ageoHad been in college for just under

4 ½ years alreadyoWas most likely female

Non-Typical Vet Non-Typical Vet CareersCareers

• 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

Mounted PolicemanMounted 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

Horse BreederHorse 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

Riding InstructorRiding 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

Horse TrainerHorse 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

Stable ManagerStable 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.

FarrierFarrier• 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.

Careers in Equine Careers in Equine Supplies and SupportSupplies 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.

•Commercial Feed Manufacturer

•Horse Trailer Designer

•Tack and Equipment Maker

•Extension Horse Specialist

•College Professor

Commercial Feed Commercial Feed ManufacturerManufacturer

• 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

Horse Trailer DesignerHorse 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.

Tack and Equipment Tack and Equipment MakerMaker

• 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.

Extension Horse Extension Horse SpecialistSpecialist

• 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.

College ProfessorCollege 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.

Careers in Horse Careers in Horse Shows and RodeosShows and Rodeos

• These careers often involve daily, direct contact with horses but require travel to different places on a show or rodeo circuito Ringmastero Judgeso Stewardso Show Secretarieso Show managerso Rodeo Cowboy/Cowgirlo Rodeo clowns

Horse Show JobsHorse 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.

Rodeo Cowboy / Rodeo Cowboy / CowgirlCowgirl

• 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.

Racehorse Industry Racehorse Industry CareersCareers

• 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

Jockey / Exercise Jockey / Exercise RiderRider

• 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.

Racing ChemistRacing 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.

HandicapperHandicapper• 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.

Recreational CareersRecreational Careers• These careers involve those who

organize the direct sporting activities and trail rides for hire.oField 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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