How much of your day/week is related to horses?
Almost all of the working day and much of the night and weekends – such are the joys of Facebook!

What is it exactly that you do?
I am Research and Marketing Director for EquiFeast. Combining customer contact and technical responsibilities has enabled me to develop products that really help solve rider problems. As our team grows I encourage the same focus on horse and rider needs.

But our strength also lies in our willingness to try novel things. Chelated calcium is proving to improve functions all over the horse and it is very exhilarating to see such a novel approach make our customers smile.

Favorite horse memory?
Winning an unaffiliated prelim dressage test at a local dressage centre on Paddy the horse that got us started down the chelated calcium route. I am the worlds worst rider but 69.55 was a great score from a horse that previously used to enter at A and canter to B and then C before thinking about jumping the judge’s car.

Watching other riders I think it has to be watching Laura Bechtolsheimer (now Tomlinson) winning Gold and Bronze at London 2012 using our chelated calcium supplement!!!

Future goals?
Getting a better understanding of what chelated calcium can do and taking the technology beyond improving behaviour and performance and making progress with health and welfare issues. Top targets for 2016 are mobility (Kissing Spine and less extreme conditions) and Cushings (big trial with the Royal Agricultural University about to start).

Best thing about your job?
Definitely getting calls from customers saying we have saved their wild and uncontrollable horse from the doggers.

“The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit and freedom.” – Sharon Ralls Lemon

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
All of it! No, seriously. Just about everything I do is horse-related. I spend approximately 20-25 hours a week teaching, another 10-15 hours training and/or riding, followed by a fun-filled 15-20 hours of paperwork. Let’s not forget the 1-2 hours a day of mucking, turn in and out, and general barn maintenance.

What is it exactly that you do?
That’s a bit of a complicated question. The easy answer is I’m an instructor. The complicated answer is I work with clients with special needs to teach them how to ride and/or how to safely handle horses.

I also work with horse owners and teach them equine first aid. I co-facilitate equine assisted learning clinics to teach both horsey and non-horsey people how to set healthy boundaries, how to be more mindful and present in the moment, and how to be more confident in their lives.

All of the above is done through my business, The Equine Connection Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre, so I also do a lot of indirectly horse-related things that involve finances, marketing, customer relations, and developing new training programs for my horses and for clients.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
It’s possible for sure but it takes a lot of work, time, effort, and money, and a bit of luck doesn’t hurt! There are established centres in most countries where you can work instead of establishing your own centre like I did.

Most people involved in therapeutic riding or equine assisted learning do it as a part-time job, which is their passion. I’m one of the few fortunate people who is able to do it (mostly) full-time with some equine-related marketing contracts on the side.

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
Start by volunteering at a centre. Get as much experience as you can working with horses and people with special needs. Take an opportunity you can get to handle horses from the ground or ride. Audit riding clinics if you can’t afford to participate in them.

Take advantage of free or cheap online courses to learn more about horse behaviour and handling or about specific disorders and diseases that are treated using equine therapy. Be hungry for information and helpful! The more present and helpful you are at a centre, the more likely you are to get a job in this field.

Favourite horse memory?
I don’t know if I can pick just one. I have many happy memories of pulling up a chair and sitting in the paddock, just watching the herd. I’d have to say that my most recent favourite horse memory was when a client of mine cantered for the first time. It was her last lesson for the year, and she’d just asked my horse to trot for about the 5th time that lesson. She had ridden before but had lost all of her confidence.

She’d been working on position at the trot with me for a few weeks and when she asked my horse Noble to trot for the 5th time, he decided it was time for her to be more confident. He only took about 7 canter strides, but the huge smile on her face was priceless.

She’d always been a bit of a nervous rider and seemed to lack confidence in herself, but after that short canter, she carried her head high and gave him the biggest hug and kiss I’d ever seen. Another trainer might have viewed what he did as misbehaving, but I know that he did it for her. He knew what she needed and took it upon him to get the job done.

Future goals?
I have so many it’s difficult to narrow them down! Mainly, I want to keep expanding my programming so that it’s available for more kids and families in need.

Best of all, this means getting another horse! I’ve been lucky enough to have three amazing therapy horses so far, in addition to a handful that I lease by the hour for lessons. With a lot more hard work and a bit more luck, I’m hoping that my herd will grow again soon. My ultimate goal is for this to be my only full-time job but I’m still a bit away from that happening.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
I get the best of two worlds. I get to spend time with my horses on a regular basis and share them with all sorts of different people. I get to meet new people all the time and teach them about the joy of just being with horses.

I also get to help people with getting stronger physically and mentally through the use of horses. My clients learn new things about themselves from my horses and I get to learn new things from them.

“I would travel only by horse, if I had the choice.” – Linda McCartney

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
I’ve just returned to work from maternity leave so I do half days 3-4 day a week at the moment trimming, in addition to the care of my own horses.

What is it exactly that you do?
I’m a barefoot trimmer, so I trim horses from all walks of life – from paddock ornaments to laminitic rehab and even performance horses. I also specialise in fitting hoof boots and I dabble a little in glue on shoes. I also offer advice on diet and have the skills to recognise health issues that need to be referred on to a vet or body worker. I’m part of a team caring for the horse – its a holistic approach.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
Oh, definitely! It’s hard work, yes. But so rewarding; certainly pays the bills.

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
There are a few courses out there available these days. I did the Diploma of Equine Podiotherapy, which is a two year course. I recommend that course, or any course where the focus is on anatomy and biomechanics.

Favourite horse memory?
I’ve owned horses since I was 12, there are so many memories. But the one that comes to mind right now is when I first moved out of home onto acreage and brought my horse home from agistment. I remember looking out my kitchen window and he was trotting about the paddock, this big orange thoroughbred and I remember feeling so happy at having my horse at home with me.

Future goals?
I’m currently studying a bachelor in Equine Science, so getting that finished is a main priority and goal for the next 5 years. Eventually I want to set up a hoof rehab facility – there are so many horses out there suffering and their owners need extra support to get their equine partners back to full soundness – that’s where I want my business to go.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
Trimming a near crippled horse and within a trim or two (or even immediately) watching them trot off sounder and happier. Receiving text messages from clients saying “Charlie has never been sounder!” or “Missy strode out over the gravel driveway like it was nothing today!”. Having loyal clients that rely on you to keep their horses sound, healthy and happy. And the everyday satisfaction of looking at a nice, neat trimmed hoof that you have been caring for over the years with big fat frogs and nice thick soles and knowing you’ve helped to craft that. I just love the job.

“No foot, no horse.” – Author unknown

Sara was kind enough to answer some questions about her newly set up business that focuses on equine nutrition.

What is it exactly that you do?
I provide a nutrition advice service to horse owners. This includes providing a detailed analysis of the nutrient needs of the particular horse in question, preferably using a forage analysis as a starting point. I base my advice on the nutrient requirements from the NRC (2007), the Dutch nutrients requirement tables and further information from the scientific literature (for example the book Equine Applied & Clinical Nutrition and scientific journal articles) or personal communication with established professionals.

The nutrition advice can range from high level sport horses (especially endurance or eventing) to recreational horses or horses with clinical problems such as tying-up, laminitis, gastric ulcers, EMS, obesity or underweight etc.

I am also starting to write some up to date articles on aspects of nutrition for my website (Energy & Nutritional demands of endurance, Recurrent Rhabdomyolysis, balanced nutrition…).

I also provide a translation service (Dutch to English for equestrian related websites), I’m currently busy translating and writing content for a major Dutch feed company. In addition I can also provide readings or lessons in specific aspects of nutrition, for example in November I will provide schooling for ongoing education points for the Dutch Association of Equine Physiotherapists.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earn a liveable income?
I have just literally started out on my own. I don’t think I will be able to earn a full time liveable income (which includes two horses!), but do believe that I can earn the part-time salary which I need. At the moment I have decided to remain totally independent of any equine products so do not earn an income from selling my own or anyone else’s products. This might change in the future to increase my income, although only products that I believe are useful addition to a horses diet!

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
In the Netherlands there are no official steps to becoming an equine nutritionist. The steps I have taken include spending several years learning and reading scientific based literature about equine physiology and nutrition. Last year I started the Masters of Equine Science from the Royal Dick Veterinary College at the University of Edinburgh to further my knowledge on equine science. I have now successfully completed the exercise physiology and nutrition modules.

Favourite horse memory?
I have lots! But I think my most is seeing my thirteen year old daughter coming over the finish in her first 80km endurance race this summer on our super cool Arabian Eenhoorn’s Tabal.

Future Goals?

• To finish the Equine Science Masters
• To complete the 100 mile endurance ride over Dartmoor next year with a good friend.
• To write a book about Equine Nutrition for horse owners.
• To keep on enjoying what I do!

Best thing about your sport/profession?
I’m an endurance rider and hope to complete my first CEI* next year. The best thing about endurance here in The Netherlands is that we are quite a close-knit group and most of us are willing to muck in to organise competitions and help out with crewing. The best thing about my profession is that I am working in an area where my passion lies and do not feel constrained by a 9-5 mentality.

“Show me your horse, and I will tell you who you are.” – Author Unknown

So here’s one for you aspiring illustrators out there!  Samantha Elmhurst of Living Art Illustration and Design has taken the time to answer some questions about her career as a science illustrator.

What is it exactly that you do?
I am a Veterinary/Equine Illustrator and Designer, freelancing for publishers and corporate companies world-wide. I am also co-author of the book ‘The Horse in Motion’.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
Well, I started out in this career twenty-one years ago…it has it’s ‘lean’ periods where work seems to magically dry-up, panic sets in, thoughts along the lines of ‘Oh dear, time to stop playing and get a ‘proper’ job! Then work comes in – lots all at once, like the proverbial busses, and then I realise that I AM doing a proper, worthy job….it’s just the highs and lows of such a career!

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
I trained at Middlesex University in London for four years, taking an Honours Degree in Scientific Illustration. I already had a veterinary nursing background and so my knowledge of my subject was greatly enhanced.

Dedication is a must, keep your portfolio in circulation and try and get published, if possible, before graduating so that you do have something in print to show that you can be trusted to produce high quality artwork and meet deadlines. This type of career is usually on a freelance basis, there are scant in-house posts for something so niche, so it’s hard graft and getting yourself ‘known’, constant mailshots, networking, etc, and it really is hard work sometimes to keep putting yourself ‘out there’, which has to be done even during busy times because you know that all of a sudden you will finish a job and have nothing to go on to for while.

Favourite horse memory?
Lots! I could be really show-offy and say ‘cantering around the ring of a huge show with ribbons and sashes flowing from my horse and I; presentations of cup and trophies, all that jazz…but in all honesty, I think probably it was the day when I was twelve and a half (that ALL important half matters when you’re growing up!) and my parents told me that they were going to let me have a pony of my own…..the rest is history!

Future goals?
Well I do have a secret commission coming up that I am far too superstitious to share with you at this point BUT as and when it comes to fruition, it will be a huge goal achieved, and also one that I will share with you, when the time comes. Share it with the world in fact I’m so over the moon at the mere thought of it!

Best thing about your sport/profession?
Funnily enough, the best can also be the worst, ie. working from home is lovely, surrounded by my pets, a nice quiet office, just me, no other office staff to worry or care about, I can wear what I like…but it can be lonely, especially when temporarily out of work.

The quietness can drive you mad, no emails to answer, no ringing telephone, cabin fever sets in, you start to question your own self-worth; if no one is hiring you, is it because you’re no good at the job any more??

You have to keep the faith or that ever present and niggling feeling sets in, the ‘time to get a proper job’ feeling…and then things can change in an instant!

“By reason of his elegance, he resembles an image painted in a palace, though he is as majestic as the palace itself.” – Emir Abd-el-Kader