Equine Vet

Equine Vet

An equine vet is an important job which carries a lot of responsibility, as well as occasional long and unusual hours. They have to have many years of schooling and training. They have to have certification and have an excellent relationship with horses. Equine vets have to be able to remain calm and organised under pressure.

They are responsible for the overall health of animals in their charge, which include routine medical exams and procedures. A horse doctor works closely with trainers, barn managers, and handlers to ensure the horse is being fed properly, exercised, and cared for. An equine vet has to have formal education, undergraduate work, as well as a four year program at a veterinary medical school. They also have to have local licensing which varies, depending on where they are located before they can practice horse medicine.

Farrier

Farrier

Farriery or the shoeing of horses and similar animals is an ancient craft. It is defined in the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975 as 'any work in connection with the preparation or treatment of the foot of a horse for the immediate reception of a shoe thereon, the fitting by nailing or otherwise of a shoe to the foot or the finishing off of such work to the foot’. In the UK it is illegal for anyone other than a registered farrier to call themselves a farrier, or to do any type of farrier work under the Farriers Act of 1975.

A farrier is a skilled craftsperson who has a sound knowledge of both the theory and practice of the craft, capable of shoeing all types of feet, whether normal or defective, making shoes to suit all types of animal and working conditions and of devising corrective measures that will help to compensate for faulty limb action. A 'farrier' should not be confused with a 'blacksmith'. Farriers and blacksmiths both work with metal but only a farrier is permitted to fit shoes to horses. When you become a farrier you become a member of an old, traditional and well respected profession.

After completing the apprenticeship and becoming registered, you can either work with a partner or become self employed. You may choose to further your professional development, by taking extra qualifications, improving your knowledge, and being able to specialise in different areas of farriery.

Groom

Groom

A  groom cares for a horse on a daily basis to ensure they remain healthy and happy. They perform a variety of duties which include feeding and grooming of the horse. They lead horses to and from the stables. They muck out stables, replace bedding, and keep the yard clean. A groom will prepare a horse for riding, competitions, and shows and take care of the tack. They check for signs that an animal is ill, and they keep the records of vaccinations.

A groom's work is mainly outdoors in all weather conditions. They are usually fit and have to have a genuine interest in horses and their welfare. They have to be knowledgeable about the care of horses, and relevant health and safety issues. Grooms work throughout the UK and are employed at riding schools, private stables, competitions, and polo yards just to name a few.

Instructor

Instructor

The riding instructor works alongside the trainer to coordinate training of the animals and their riders. They are usually trained in a specific discipline and have the ability to work with the horses and people simultaneously. Their main responsibility is teaching people to ride horses using different methods; either in groups or one on one. They usually teach a student the entire process from taking care of the animal to mounting properly. They also teach the student the skills needed for their chosen discipline.

Sometimes the instructors accompany their students and coach them through competitions and events. Their duties include teaching the general horsemanship principles and skills. They teach students to ride and work through behavioral issues with the horses and riders. An instructor prepares riders for competitions and shows. They also help in the daily operations of a riding school as well as schedule lessons.

Schooling Rider

Schooling Rider

A schooling rider is in charge of daily exercise and is usually a job offered to college students and aspiring riding or training professionals. They have to be able to be a good team player and be able to follow strict instructions. Usually, a schooling rider will have contact with many horses and with most members of the barn staff on a daily basis. They have a high amount of contact with the horses and have to have very strong riding skills.
They are usually assigned certain horses and put them through their daily paces or warming them up for professional riders. This type of position involves having general horsemanship experience and a very high skill of riding experience.

Stable Assistant

Stable Assistant

A stable assistant is an entry level position for those who want to begin a career in the equine industry in a large stable set-up. This position is usually found in a small establishment with fewer horses and employees. The stable assistant performs a combination of several jobs including; groom, handler, stall cleaner, and schooling rider. Usually everyone in smaller stables shares responsibility for the animals. Stable assistants have to be able to work as part of a team, have physical strength, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Some of their duties may include feeding, cleaning, and giving supplements to the horses. They hold the horses for the farrier and vet. They also administer prescribed medication and general first aid. They can also do the daily exercise, grooming, and bathing of the horses. They are also in charge of keeping the stables tidy, sweeping, raking, and watering. They are involved in all aspects of caring for the horses and maintenance on the facilities.

Stable Manager

Stable Manager

The stable manager is an integral part of a large working stable. They have to have indepth knowledge of horses and the ability to multi-task. Their responsibilities are similar to a yard manager's but they perform more hands on work. They report to the yard manager and trainer and carry out their plans of action.
They handle the hiring, training, and firing of stable employees. They also order supplies and feed and are usually on call for emergency after hours care. They are the ones who regulate feeding and cleaning schedules. Their responsibilities also include maintaining equipment and taking care of the supply and feed inventory. They also oversee vet and farrier visits and make sure medications of giving properly. They have a hand in all aspects of taking care of the horses and the facilities.

Trainer

Trainer

A trainer is a person who has a significant background in training and competing and usually has a particular specialty that they are an expert in. A trainer also must have advance knowledge of every aspect of horseflesh and strong communication skills. In larger stables they work with the barn manager to establish work schedules that will be carried out by grooms and exercise riders. In smaller stables the trainer usually does the riding and groundwork themselves. The trainer is responsible for the training and overseeing the exercise routine for all horses in their care. They develop and implement specific exercise routines and supplement schedules. They conduct under both saddle work and ground work. They also correct behavioural issues a horse may be showing. A trainer usually has previous professional experience with horses.

Yard Manager

Yard Manager

A yard manager is an essential member of any sizeable stable. They are responsible for planning and orchestrating the day to day life of each animal in their charge. The yard manager also has to oversee every aspect of the running of the establishment. They take care of everything from vet visits, exercising and supplies, to management of stable employees. They have to have quick decision making skills, adaptability, and leadership skills. Their responsibilities include hiring and firing of stable employees. Training employees and overseeing staff. They do the ordering of supplies, feed and equipment. They also oversee farrier scheduling, vet visits, and develop exercise routines. They have a huge responsibility of making sure all aspects of running the stable are taken care of.

Do you own horses? Do you work with horses or own a riding school? Do you have advice for horse lovers that would like to work in the equestrian industry? Perhaps you have a story relating to your job that you would like to share? Please comment here and share your experiences with other visitors - Animal Friends would love to hear what you have to say. Thank you and enjoy the blogs.