So a friend posted about these awards on Equus’ Facebook page (thanks Cait!).

In the interest of helping people learn about what is available to them with regards to horses, it’s great to see that those who are taking the initiative to set up a business, group or organisation are being rewarded for their hard work.

I believe a receiver of one of these awards last year was an equine related employment agency that used a facebook group to let others know about jobs available in the United Kingdom.

Social Media is so helpful in the equine industry.  It helps to keep people informed about opportunities to acquire jobs, learn more, attend courses and so much more!

If you feel that this blog Equus-Blog.com and/or the EquusEducation facebook page is worthy of being considered for a social media award, why not consider voting for EQUUS at the Social Media Awards website?

Perhaps you might like to consider nominating EQUUS for any of the following:

• 02. Best use of Facebook
• 13. Most informative use of Social Media
• 17. Best blog
• 33. Best use of Social Media in Australia & NZ

You will be asked to nominate and provide a reason.  Below is a suggestion to keep votes uniform for this site/facebook page.  Thanks in advance!

• Nomination: EquusEducation
• Reason for nomination: http://www.equus-blog.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/EquusEducation help to inform others about equine related vocations, education and travel around the world.

“If, however, you reward him with kindness after he has done as you wish, and punish him when he disobeys, he will be most likely to learn to obey as he ought.” – Xenophon – The Art of Horsemanship

So it occurred to me in a discussion at work that as a general rule, people aren’t as ‘financially future minded’ as they could be.

I see on a daily basis or hear of people that are struggling because of many things:

• A lack of a job
• Ignorance about planning for the future
• Bad decisions
• Overwhelming debt
• And the list goes on

It may be no secret to readers of this blog that I love planning my future (and dreaming about it!), finances included.

I’m often thinking about what I can save for (such as my trips to South Africa and Ireland – horse related, of course!). For me it is easier to save with a goal in mind, otherwise I may not see the point.

However, if I’m not saving, then I’m looking for ways I can invest my money and it got me thinking about a few of my favourite things:

• Education
• Horses
• Financial Planning

Now this may not seem like a winning combination, but I had a sudden idea. Horse Financial Planners.

Many people, if they choose to invest their finances, they put their hard earned or saved money into something they know will bring them a return. Now in my ‘entrepreneurial daydream’ I thought, what if there was a business out there that had a niche – financial planning for horse people, with a horse investment focus?

A further explanation?

What if someone with a finance background was able to help you manage your funds, but also help you to invest in the animal and industry that you’re passionate about? Perhaps they could even guide you in short, middle and long term investments, investing in:

• Racehorses – a potential medium term investment that varies in the cost
• Property for a horse related business – a long term investment with a variable return
• Writing about horses – this could be an investment with minimal $ cost (your time, more than your finances), such as writing articles for magazines or online, or even novels or informational horse books – I love this one because it has the potential to be a residual earner
• Broodmares – a medium to long term investment before you see a return from progeny sold
• Yourself – a medium to long term investment also. Did you know you can invest funds in your education, career and savings to increase your future financial worth as well as employability options?

So I originally concluded my ‘made up’ job of being an equine careers counselor (of which I believe there are quite a few well known equine focused employment agencies around, now) was my ideal job.

Now, I think my dream job could be an ‘equine financial planner’.  It’s got a nice ring to it, don’t you think? 🙂

“Don’t give your son money. As far as you can afford it, give him horses.” – Winston Chuchill

Ok, here’s one for the pedigree fans out there!

What’s a pedigree?  It’s the paper/tabulated version of your horse’s breeding.  That is, who mum and dad are, and their parents, and so on!

Yes, it is possible to turn your interest in horse genealogy into a career!  Often this is done as a bloodstock agent or perhaps in the form of a Stallions Nomination staff member at a particular stud.

Many people that are interested in breeding horses (particularly racehorses) are keen to know what their future foal will look like on paper.

Consequently, they analyse stallion pedigrees to see which one or ones would best suit their broodmare. There are many online pedigree analysts who offer such services, at times for free!  Consider the likes of ‘eNicks’ at Werk Thoroughbred Consultants Inc.

Of course, checking out the stud books of your favourite breed in your country is worth looking into, also.  For those who are interested in horse pedigrees and pursuing potential work along this line, start your research now:

• Learn about the top stallions and mares in the breed/s of your choice
• Which stallions are producing foals that perform well?
• Which stallions had a brilliant performance career?
• Which is the most expensive stallion standing at stud?
• Does the stallion shuttle overseas or is frozen semen offered for artificial insemination?

It’s never to early to learn more about your future profession and there is a lot of information online that can help you at only the cost of your time.

“Breed the best to the best and hope for the best.” – Breeder’s axiom