Rachel Annan is an equine industry trainer with the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).  She has kindly taken the time to answer some questions about her horse related profession and experience.  Find out more about being an equine industry trainer below.

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
My entire working week is related to horses in some way or another.  Or more precisely, all my work is related to training and educating people about horses.  I also exercise Racehorses in my spare time!

What is it exactly that you do?
Equine Industry Training.  I educate people who work in the equine industry in Northern Ireland about horses, equine business, Health & Safety, etc. We run seminars, evening courses and conferences.

I am also involved with Knowledge and Technology Transfer work in the equine Industry.  This is to enhance equine welfare, business profitability and environmental impact for equine businesses in Northern Ireland, through Technology and improved Knowledge.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
Yes. I’m doing it!

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
I have an Equine Managemnet Degree, Level 3 NVQ in Racehorse Care and professional marketing qualifications. I also have extensive experience in the Racing industry throughout the world.

Favourite horse memory?
Winning races on Eglish – A small racehorse with a big heart!

Future goals?
Continue to expand my experience in the industry.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The people in the equine industry!

“In the steady gaze of the horse shines a silent eloquence that speaks of love and loyalty, strength and courage. It is the window that reveals to us how willing is his spirit, how generous his heart.” – Author Unknown

Ann Pearce is an equine agent, researching the right horse for customers to buy. She was kind enough to answer some questions about this work she currently does part time.

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
I would guess that my day is between 50 and 60% horse related, either working for someone else freelance, being with my own semi retired hobby horse and brood mares or teaching my three year old daughter on the lead rein.

Then in the evening it’s hours of searching through the internet for the ideal horse/ponies as an equine agent to my customers. Usually from the UK and USA looking to come over here to Germany but also I have some regular customers from Sweden.

What is it exactly that you do?
I help people find their perfect equine partner. I simply use my contacts to find as many suitable horses as possible. I then arrange videos, hotels, transport and appointments to come and try them, help correspond with vets and arrange transport and quarantine if required. I can even book restaurants and arrange nights out. The main aim is to not only find my customers the perfect horse but make the whole experience as fun and stress free as possible.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
I do know some agents who do this full time and manage to make a living out of it. They usually work for one yard and get their commission from that yard. I work totally independently. Not tied to any yard or seller, I work for the buyer.

For me it just isn’t possible to do this full time. I find that the amount of time I actually put in finding horses and reputable yards/sellers is just too huge. I would rather have one or two customers a month who really know what they need in a horse that I can really commit to, rather than one or two a week, just rushed through. Also being a single mother to a perpetually energetic three year old means that at this point in time I could not work as an independent agent full time.

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
I think the general steps taken to be employed in such a role apart from having experience in the horse world and a good basic knowledge of law regarding sales, is to be friendly and approachable. People want to work with someone who takes the role seriously and has an excellent reputation. Word of mouth has always been my favourite form of advertising.

Favourite horse memory?
My favourite horse memory is probably hunting as a child. Back in the days when I knew no fear.

Future goals?
My future goals are two fold. I have just moved to France and my main business goal is to build up a great network here while continuing to source horses and work with people in Germany. As for my personal goals I would love to get back to my original passion and what first brought me to Germany almost 10 years ago, breeding. I have a couple of very special mares at the moment and hope to have a few dressage foals on the ground in the next 18 months either for private sale or auction.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The best thing about my profession is the people and horses I get to meet. Being based in Warendorf for the last 7 years has been a truly amazing experience. There are just so many talented people in this town. Everyday you can learn something new.

I also love it when people send me pictures and updates of the horses I have helped them to find. That’s a great feeling.  Ann can be contacted via ann1.pearce@web.de