Wordless Wednesday – Feathers
Friday Feature: Foaling Attendant
This week’s letter is F. If you missed last week’s Friday Feature, take a look at Employment Agencies (Equine).
In a way this week’s career is a niche market, but it genuinely is one that you can do most of the year, if you’re willing to travel between hemispheres. A foaling attendant works nights, weekdays and weekends, depending on the stud they work on.
Their role is to assist mares that are foaling, particularly if there are issues with the delivery. They are also often in charge of documenting the foal’s first drink, steps, passing of meconium (the first poo) and other general health.
Someone who is interested in work as a foaling attendant:
- Should be ready to work nights (often from 9pm – 6am, but it can vary)
- May like to undertake a horse breeding course or gain work experience on a large stud – Thoroughbred studs are often a great way to see a lot over a short period (a few months)
- Should consider that their job will be in demand over later winter, spring and early summer
- May want to gain contacts in the northern and southern hemisphere to be able to carry out the job year round
- Will need to be very familiar with care of pregnant mares, the birthing process and neonates (young foals)
For posts that relate to this area of work on Equus-Blog, take a look at:
“When will they make a tractor that can furnish the manure for farm fields and produce a baby tractor every spring?” – George Rupp
Pharmaceuticals for the Horse Industry
So I’m doing a subject as part of my Equine Science Degree this semester that is titled Applied Animal Pharmacology and Therapeutics. It is a new subject on offer to distance education students (I study part time alongside work), but one that I’m thoroughly enjoying and feel is very important!
One thing I hadn’t realised on an introductory lecture to the subject, is how many avenues there are for exploring potential work/careers in this area. If you’re studying in the area of animal science or equine science, you may be interested in pursuing work that allows you to help develop pharmaceuticals for a horse’s well being. Consider:
- worming products
- vaccinations
- other health products like antibiotics
Being involved in biomedical research with regards to equine health can be a well paid position that may appeal to the horse enthusiast with a scientific mind. If you are interested in exploring this side of horse work, perhaps looking into such companies is worth considering. A couple include:
“Closness, friendship, affection: keeping your own horse means all these things.” – Bertrand Leclair
The Amish Blacksmith
Now I love a horse story that will teach you at the same time as entertain. This one is teaching about horse conformation on the first page – big plus in my book!
Jake Miller is a 24 year old Amish man working an apprenticeship as a farrier. He has big dreams to set up his own smithing shop in the future, whilst also working to help people with problem horses.
The Amish Blacksmith has a great mix of characters, reference to the Christian faith and of course, horses. If you’re into Christian romances, I’d highly recommend this one. The people are honest and flawed, but also humble, which is refreshing.
The two main horsey characters Jake and Priscilla have incredibly different outlooks on how a horse views the world, and yet both want the best for each equine they come into contact with. Both have valid reasons for why they interact with horses as they do and it’s interesting to see how the pair often disagree, and yet their knowledge complements each other’s.
Jake has a way with horses and this is obvious to many, but it’s Priscilla’s insights that often help him to find a solution to curing a horse of it’s fear. The Amish Blacksmith is an interesting read and provides factual and realistic information alongside a great plot for a romance. Highly recommended.
Authors – Mindy Starns Clark & Susan Meissner
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19501621-the-amish-blacksmith
Fiction – Christian romance
In my library – Unfortunately not! This was an electronic copy on short term loan from NetGalley.
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.
“Wherever man has left his footprint in the long ascent from barbarism to civilization we will find the hoof print of the horse beside it.” – John Trotwood Moore
Profile On: Hoyt Rose, Horse Trainer
How much of your day/week is related to horses?
100%. I am a horse trainer. I also have a blog that is based on the horse community (www.fatbaldcowboy.com), and am working on a web and mobile app called Equine Assistant that’s designed to link a horse’s people. More information on it can be found at www.equineassistant.com and via our IndieGoGo campaign.
What is it exactly that you do?
My wife (Pam) and I own and operate P&H Horse & Cattle Co. We train and show Arabians, Half-Arabians and Quarter Horses in the Reining, Western Pleasure and Hunter divisions. I also hold an Arabian Judges card as well as Wisconsin 4H and WSCA Judging cards.
In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
Yes it is. Although, with the amount of time we need to invest it often seems as if we get paid below minimum wage.
What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
My recommendation is to get an education in business and then work for a reputable trainer in the breed and discipline you wish to compete. You should plan on 3-5 years of apprenticeship to gain enough knowledge to earn a living. The gaining knowledge part never stops though. You need to learn every day about the horse.
Favourite horse memory?
This may sound strange considering the success both Pam and I have had in the show ring, but my favorite memories are of watching our clients ride a young horse we trained for the first time. We start a lot of horses and many of our clients purchase young, untrained horses. The first time they get on and can do what we have trained is a great feeling. My proudest moments are when they don’t need us anymore.
Future goals?
I want the horse world to “Get Broke.” So many horses are discipline specific, and that is all they can do. Watching a horse compete in Western Pleasure, then in reining and trail, and then go home and go on a 15 mile trail ride is great. I want to help that happen for as many people as possible.
Best thing about your sport/profession?
Training horses is never boring because it is always changing. New horse, new clients. But I think the satisfaction of helping a horse and rider combination get together and accomplish something is the best part.
“A cowboy is a man with guts and a horse.” – Will James
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