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

Equestrian author Vivien Gorham was kind enough to answer some questions about her writing career and future books!

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
Every weekend I ride a half-blind former show hunter called Lukas. He is my equine soul mate, a sweet and gentle bay with a crooked stripe down his face. He gets excited when we jump (just like me!), and he always comes to greet me at his paddock gate. (Which I’m sure has nothing to do with the carrots, apples, and mints in my pocket!)

On weekdays I either research or write about horses and riding every day. Right now I’m working on another children’s horse novel, set at a horse camp in my home province of Nova Scotia, Canada.

What is it exactly that you do?
I am a full-time writer and author, as of last week! Before that, I worked in a medical library and wrote in my spare time. But now I get to spend my workdays doing what I love best – writing equestrian novels!

A typical day for me consists of getting up early and walking my dog, Niska, then writing, researching, and editing until about 3:00pm. After that I connect with my readers and other writers through email or social media. And if I’m in the midst of publishing, I’ll fit in working with my editor to polish the novel, and then working with my publicist to promote it, both before and after publication. It’s a busy and fulfilling profession!

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full-time professional and earning a liveable income?
I think it is possible to be a full-time equestrian writer and live off what you earn, but it takes a great deal of time, work, stamina, and dedication. Lots of support from fellow writers, editors, reviewers, and publishing professionals is important, and help from family and friends to get the word out makes a difference.

A little luck goes a long way too. So yes, it is possible to support yourself as an equestrian author, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort and keep working. I’m not there yet, but that is my goal!

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
First, you have to write a top-notch, compelling book that lots of people will want to buy and read. This will require studying the art and craft of writing, completing multiple drafts of your story, tons of editing and revising (with help from trusted readers), and plenty of patience!

Then you have to research the market and get it published (either on your own or with a traditional publisher), and promote it to the widest possible audience through reviews, events, and online publicity. And you have to keep learning and writing more great books, challenging yourself to get better and better.

You can also supplement your income by writing shorter pieces like print or online magazine articles, or even editing or proofreading other writers’ books. (You may need extra training to do this.)

Favourite horse memory?
Oh, there are so many! Learning to jump at age 11 on my favourite school horse, a tall, handsome buckskin called Peanuts (still my favourite horse colour). Winning my first blue ribbon (first place in the United States, where I grew up) in dressage on Robin, a feisty strawberry roan mare. Watching the champion show jumper Peppermint Twist (who inspired the horse of the same name in my book Touch of Gold!) kick up her heels after clearing the scariest jumps in Open Jumper classes.

Working at the Circle 8 Guest Ranch in Montana one summer at age 19, spending my afternoons exploring the Rocky Mountains on my trusty sorrel (western for chestnut), Jackson. We ended that summer with a 3-day pack trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, definitely a highlight of my horseback riding career!

Future goals?
My future goals are to finish and publish my current children’s horse book, and write at least three more books: a sequel to Touch of Gold, a young adult novel set on a Rocky Mountain guest ranch (can’t resist that setting!), and an adult novel spanning the West, North, and East of Canada (lots of research required!).

Horses, of course, will feature prominently in all of these novels! I’m also working on ideas for an equestrian memoir and a short story about three sisters on a trail ride. (I’ve promised my two sisters it’s not necessarily about us!) Lots to keep me busy – and happy – for many years to come! Of course, my ultimate goal is simply to write books that readers will love and return to, the kind of books I’ve cherished throughout my life.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The best thing about my favourite sport of horseback riding is having this amazing relationship with another animal, where you virtually become one being: moving, thinking and feeling together. It is incredibly special, and just so much fun!

And the best thing about writing and publishing a book is connecting with my readers. The greatest thrill for me is to receive a letter, email, Facebook post, or tweet from a reader or reviewer who has really enjoyed my book. So if you read my book Touch of Gold, or any future books of mine, please get in touch via my website, my Facebook profile, or my Twitter account (@viviengorham), and let me know what you think!

And if you feel like spreading the word by writing a review like this one of Touch of Gold (thank you, Equus-blog!) that would be terrific. Happy trails!