Anyone that has grown up around horses will know how easy it is to fall in love with both the animals and the lifestyle that’s associated with them. Whether it’s recreational riding or professional horse racing, there’s a lot to love about horses and the people that look after them. Sometimes that love can transform into a genuine and sincere passion, enough to make a person consider getting a career working with horses in some shape or form.
When it comes to equine-related careers, there are a lot of options available. Being a jockey is a lucrative career, but it’s only really for those that have the right physical build for it. Another popular choice is becoming a horse trainer.
These are the people that are with the animals from when they are young, teaching them how to behave, how to fit the gear, how to be comfortable being ridden, how to temper their emotions, and so much more. It’s a physically and emotionally demanding career that not everyone will be happy with, but for those with a passion for horses, it might just be right for them.
Educational Choices
There are numerous colleges and technical schools that offer equine sciences as a subject. It’s common to find both two- and four-year programs, where a student has the chance to earn an applied science degree in horse training or something similar. These courses provide the foundational information and teach graduates everything they need to know.
Along with college courses, it’s also possible to attend certificate programs, which can eventually open up to more possibilities, such as advanced horsemanship studies and more. An educational background is the best place to get started, as it will make a potential stand out among the crowd and will be proof that they have both theoretical and practical knowledge.
Apprenticeships
The next step in the horse trainer’s journey is to find and become a part of an apprenticeship. This is all about learning by doing and putting theoretical knowledge into practise. A lot of apprenticeships see the new student working underneath a seasoned trainer, usually within a professional setting.
The work will be difficult – sometimes even gruelling – but it’s an important step to take in order to become a true professional, plus it looks good on a CV, plus it might offer an edge with mobile horse race bets. The length of an apprenticeship varies greatly, but it tends to be between 2 and 4 years in total, and if it goes well, the apprenticeship might transform into a full job.
Living The Lifestyle
Being a professional horse trainer is not something that should be considered as little more than a 9-5; instead, it should become a person’s whole life. Some sacrifices might have to be made at one point or another, but anyone with a true passion for training and breeding horses will also live and breathe it, making it an important part of who they are and how they live.