This week’s letter is S. If you missed last week’s Friday Feature, take a look at Riding School.

You may be familiar with the people at the races who sit on (often) grey horses at the racetrack, assisting young racehorses to get out to the starting gates, or following behind a race in motion.  You may not know that these are stewards, and they have many roles in racing.  In fact, it may be summed up as:

Being responsible for maintaining the probity and integrity of thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing. A steward is part of a team who enforce the rules of racing and ensures integrity throughout the three racing codes.

If this appeals to you, consider:

• A need to know racing rules and regulations
• Developing a keen interest in at least one racing code
• The idea of riding may make up a small part of the job but a lot is about assessing rules and regulations and making sure these are carried out
• Busy days will often be race days, which will include weekend work
• Work may also involve assessing racing stables

Getting into this line of work will involve a cadetship or qualification.  For other posts that relate to this area of work on Equus-Blog, take a look at:

• Profile On: Kim Meredith
• Stewarding

“A racehorse is an animal that can take several thousand people for a ride at the same time.” – Author unknown

This week’s letter is P. If you missed last week’s Friday Feature, take a look at Orthopaedics.

A horse’s pedigree relates to who its mother and father were, and who their parents were.  Pedigrees are particularly important in the equine world as they provide a document that details the family history of a horse, which in turn can show results of races or competitions, conformational consistencies and temperament.

Often people in the know about pedigrees will find themselves in a job that relates to stallion promotion or the purchasing of horses for clients.  Chances are that although you may have an interest in pedigrees in general, to make a career out of it you will need to focus on a particular breed of horse.

For someone who is interested in the idea of using their love of pedigrees to generate a career, consider:

• Learning by heart the pedigrees of the latest famous horses in your focal market (e.g., the pedigree of Black Caviar if your focus is the thoroughbred breed)
• Learning about nicks, black type, crosses, outcrosses and many other terms in the world of pedigrees
• Learning the bloodlines of particular mares and stallions that when bred together, seem to consistently produce a top performing horse

For other posts that relate to this area of work on Equus-Blog, take a look at:

• Pedigree Analysis Nicks
• Profile On: Ryan McEvoy, Marketing and Stallion Nominations Manager

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

This week’s letter is O. If you missed last week’s Friday Feature, take a look at Nutrition (Equine).

Orthopaedics is a specialised field that focuses on preventing or correcting injuries and disorders of the skeletal system and muscles, joints and ligaments associated with it.  For someone who is pursuing the veterinary side of a career and has a particular interest in a horse’s conformation and soundness, this may be an area of specialisation that you feel is worth investigating.

Then again, you may feel that being a farrier is where you want to go!

For someone who is interested in the idea of orthopaedics as a career, consider:

• You will need to look into a veterinary science degree
• A knowledge of horse conformation is essential
• A specialised field like this may require that you first practice as a vet in many facets of the equine industry, perhaps even small animals

For other posts that relate to this area of work on Equus-Blog, take a look at:

• Specialising – Orthopaedics

“You cannot remain unmoved by the gentleness of conformation of a well-bred and well-trained horse… more than 1000 pounds of big-boned, well-muscled animal, yet forever a menace with it’s innocent power… but when it greets you with a nicker and regards you with a large and liquid eye, the question of where you want to be has been answered.” – Author unknown

Tags: equine orthopedics, equine career, horse job, horse vet, farrier

This week’s letter is N. If you missed last week’s Friday Feature, take a look at Mounted Police.

Nutrition plays a vital role in the life of any person or animal.  It can be particularly important to get right in the equine species due to developmental issues that can occur if it’s wrong.

For someone who has a keen interest in horse nutrition and wishes to utilise it as a career choice, they will need to consider a science degree.  Positions could then be found with a company like Kentucky Equine Research or Mitavite.

Some things to note:

• Nutrition is quite complex scientifically – a science degree such as Equine Science should be explored
• There are many feeds on offer, some of which are not nutritionally the most viable option for horses, but are popular anyway
• Nutritionists can provide advice to large horse businesses and individuals, formulate diets and even assess pastures
• If interested in pasture assessment, an agricultural degree may be a better course to take

For other posts that relate to this area of work on Equus-Blog, take a look at:

• A World of Nutrition
• Equine Nutrition
• Equine Nutritionist
• FeedXL Horse Nutrition
• Profile On: Brooke Charteris

“Horseperson’s Glossary – Feed: Expensive substance used to manufacture manure.” – Author unknown