So you’ve decided you want a horse career that relates specifically to looking after a horse’s health.  Equus Education takes a look at 5 horse careers with a focus on health.  After all, it’s nice to know the different options available to you!

• Equine Veterinarian – yes vets tend to various animals, but it is possible after a number of years working in a small animal practice to focus specifically on horses.  There are many vets who deal with horses all year round whether the focus is on stud stock, performance horses, surgeries or even young horses.  Vets are in charge of horse nutrition, welfare, reproduction, performance and so much more.
  There are also vet nurses that fit into this side of the horse health care industry.  These people often work alongside vets and do a lot of the hands on work for horses that are in an equine hospital.  They feed horses, administer medications, dress and treat wounds.  Veterinary nurses often work within equine hospitals, but can also work on large horse properties like a thoroughbred stud.

• Nutritionist – there are people who are specifically employed to focus on equine nutrition.  Horses have very sensitive digestive systems and with their use in competition, racing and other recreational pursuits, it is important that they are well fed.  A lot of research goes into creating balanced diets for older horses, performance horses, breeding stock and growing horses.  Equine nutritionists deal with an important part of any horse’s health.

5 Horse Careers with a Focus on Health

• Equine Therapist – consider chiropractors, massage therapists, and others that tend to the muscles and skeletal structure of the horse.  Often they assess competition and pleasure horses by helping them to relieve any pains or strains.  They also focus on allowing horses to move in the correct way.
• Farriers – whether it’s barefoot trimming, tacking on shoes or correctional work, farriers tend to the health care of horses’ feet.  They keep the hoof in a healthy and functioning manner.  They also tend to issues relating to abscesses, thrush, navicular disease and laminitis, to name a few.
• Equine welfare workers – there are many people that work to ensure horses are kept in the best conditions possible for their welfare.  Whether it’s the RSPCA or a horse organisation that sets out guidelines for keeping horses, many workers help to keep horses in good working condition.  At times horses are found lacking in food, water or other necessities for the equine species.  These are often taken in and restored to good health.

There are many, many different careers relating to horses.  Want an example?  Well head along to Vocation-100 where over 170 horse related careers are explored via Equus Education.

This post is going to look at only 5 careers that are hands on with horses.  But I assure you there are many more!  Because let’s face it, sometimes it’s really nice to have a job that involves working with the animal in question!

• Acupuncture – this particular equine career has a science background and is often carried out by veterinarians. You can find out more about an equine acupuncture course and read a profile on Susan Hamilton, an animal therapist
• Barrier attendant – these people are often seen working hard at race meetings. Interested in the racing scene and want to work with horses in some capacity?  Find out about barrier attendants.
• Flight attendant – want to combine horses and flying? Well here’s a unique position.  Flight attendants tend to horses’ needs as they travel from one country to another.
• Instructing – your focus could be beginners, children, competitive riding, Western, English, racing – you name it! Working as an instructor will require knowledge in your field of focus, the ability to ride and to teach others on various horses.  You’ll also need insurance and probably an instructing qualification.
• Stud work – now there are so many different positions within the area of breeding horses. You could be an AI technician, a stud hand, a breeder, a manager of broodmares, stallions or yearlings; the list goes on.  If you want daily interaction with breeding horses, consider the stud industry.

5 Careers that are Hands on with Horses

If you want to physically work with horses in your equine career, then be inspired by the possible number of horse jobs out there!  Why not try for something unique?  Or perhaps a job that requires a qualification to undertake it?  The choice is yours.

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Today there is a vast majority of horses that are utilised for sport, recreation and competition.  Because of their value to humans, a lot of money is invested in keeping them fit and healthy.  This could be in the form of professionals who tend to their needs: physical and nutritional, for example.  It is also in the form of tools to ride and care for them.  Consider saddles, bridles, blankets, leg protection – the list goes on.  A saddle is a necessity for most forms of riding horses.  So too is being able to fit a saddle appropriately to individual horses.  Because of this, saddle fitting as a horse career I believe is a viable avenue for interested people to consider exploring.

For people who are wanting to make a career of horse riding, knowing that a saddle fits their horse well is imperative.  Many horse owners who ride recreationally also understand the importance of correct saddle fit.  And so a saddle fitter – often provided through the local saddlery – is utilised to make sure a saddle correctly fits the horse it is to be bought for.

Correct saddle fit helps to ascertain that the saddle is going to be comfortable on the horse.  It needs to not hinder any movement – shoulders are a big one!  It also needs to be balanced on the horse.  When a person is in the saddle, it is important too that there are no pressure points and that the rider is able to achieve a correct position.

As a horse develops in its riding career/training, its muscle tone will change.  Because of this, the need to have a saddle adjusted over time will be imperative.  In fact, Jochen Schleese of Saddlefit4life, states in his book Suffering in Silence that saddle fit should be assessed 2-3 times a year for young, developing horses.  He goes on to suggest an annual check for horses that are around 7 years of age.  Once horses reach 16 and beyond, checking 2-3 times a year again is recommended.

Saddle Fitting as a Horse Career

If horse owners adhere to these guidelines of a certified master saddler, then there is definitely scope for saddle fitters to develop this skill as a career.  They would need to know how to assess a saddle’s fit to the horse and rider.  They would also need to be able to make adjustments.  Often this can be done on sight.  It may involve adjusting the angle of a gullet or altering flocking/padding in a saddle.

As horse owners and riders work to make themselves better educated, saddle fitting as a horse career becomes a viable option to consistently work and bring in money.  Interested in this option?  Be sure to check out the Saddlefit4life website and do some research on the term saddle ergonomist.