I'm new to equisearch, so I first wanna say hey (:

Anyway, I live in a small town where it's impossible to raise a horse, so I don't really get to ride. I love horses, they are my favorite animal, and I want to spend the rest of my life working with them. I plan on going to college for equine studies, but everyone keeps telling me that I can't make a living from working with horses. Your thoughts?

 Also, is there anyone else here who absolutely loves horses but aren't around them often?

First, welcome to the forum.

 Second, there certainly are ways to earn a living working with horses, albeit just how large a living one can make depends on the course of study and the pay scale in the area you choose to live.

 However, training and all the standard things that come to mind are very low on the list.

A word of caution on things like massage therapy (I think therapy is included), chiropractics, acupuncture:  Be sure the state you live in allows you to practice those things WITHOUT being a DVM first.  I have read on another forum, that one of the states wants to make it a requirement that you cannot practice these sorts of therapies without first having become a DVM.

There are many univiersities that have various equine science programs such as nutrition, that don't require you become a veterinarian first.

I know for fact Michigan State and the University of Minnesota have equine science programs because my two metabolic horses were involved in their 2010 study program.

Your best bet is to Google the universities in PA and see who has equine science programs.  If you're closer to the OH/PA border, Ohio State has a program.

Lastly, there are many folks on many horse forums that don't own a horse but read and participate because they hope to own one some day.

I have four but don't ride anymore due to a bad accident six years ago.  My horses have been with me anywhere from seven to 21-1/2 years, have a lot of acreage to roam on, so they aren't going anywhere.

I handle them 3 - 6 hours every day and still am able to trim two of the four myself.  Meaning, it isn't like they don't get plenty of attention and they keep me out of the therapist's office - lol

Good luck on your endeavors:)

 I'm sure there are many folk on the forum in your shoes... boots. You'll learn a lot hanging out here... I have. I know many people who make a living from horses but they work very hard,,, OK with them because it's a labor of love. If that's your dream...Good luck!

Becky,

 I was just browsing and came across your post. I am a new returning member here...its been about 12 years ish.  I graduated with my degree in Farm Management in 2007 and it hasn't done me ANY good. I went into the field because I love the barn. My mother is a Thoroughbred trainer in Florida so I grew up mucking, walking, galloping, ponying, raking, medicating, training, breaking, feeding, breeding, raising, and managing. I breezed through the program with no problem but I quickly realized that (at least in our part of the horse industry), it's not the education that counts....it's the recommendations and experience....and in my case...age and gender. :) 

I'm totally not trying to squelch the whole horsies forever dream but working as a trainer is a 7 day a week lifestyle. It involves, cold, hot, sweat, dirt, fridgid fingers, wet feet, achey back, fatigue, money loss, and a host of other conditions that no one ever really considers, And thats every day....even xmas....I remember...LOL.

I've always wanted to try my hand pinhooking yearlings. So instead of delving into it, I decided to go back to school and earn my teaching degree. I graduated last year and I will use what money I earn teaching to buy a couple weenies and see what I can make of them.

 My point is that I have a back up plan...for earning a living. :) I love the horses, I love the barn and I love the business but I would recommend a back up plan for you as well. :) Just in case.

 I will advise what I always advise -- get a real degree.  If you are serious about making horses your job, you need skills like a business degree or accounting.

And the old saying is very true:  The only way to make a small fortune in the horse business is to start out with a large one.

You received some very good advice here.  My daughter is 20, and has worked with horses since she was 8.  She worked for several trainers during her high shool years.  The last trainer she worked for who is very successful was 40 years old before she had her own barn and started making excellent income.  My daughter now is a 4-H leader.  She has trained every horse she has ever shown.  She starts WP QH's and shows on the AQHA circuit.  She now has clients asking her to train their horses.  She's struggling working at a vet's office for very low pay just so she can have her horses and train in her available time.  She now wants to go to college to have a better paying job. 

 My advice is to follow Solo's advice.  Get your degree in business and get your experience in riding and training.

Hi Becky and welcome!

I grew up in London, UK and like you loved horses but had no way to have one or even take riding lessons.  When I was 12 we moved to a more rural area and I got myself a job mucking, grooming, tack cleaning, etc., etc,. for maybe one hour's riding at the end of the weekend.

I was in my 30's when I bought my first horse and have not been without them since.  I trained show jumpers while I was in England and since moving to the USA I show and breed Quarter Horses for the sport of Reining.

I do have a good payng job outside the equine industry which enables me to pay for the upkeep of my horses and I spend as much time as possible with them.

It is possible to make a living in the equine industry, millions of people do every day, but as others have said here, it is hard, back-breaking work that is 24/7/365.  There is no "Snow Day" or vacation time - the horses need to be tended every single day and sometimes during illness or breeding all night too.

Very, very, very few equestrians make a lot of money - most lose money so you do need a backup plan.

To get an idea of what jobs are out there take a look at YardandGroom.com where jobs are posted and see if something comes up that appeals to you.  If yu are thinking of college, Findlay in OH has an excellent program, for equine business, Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA is great and of course University of Penn has the New Bolton Center where Barbaro was treated if you are intersted in equine medicine and/o research.

Don't lose your dream - just know what you are getting into, do your homework, build a plan of where and what you want to do and go for it!

Good luck

I am 43 yrs. old and owned 3 horses my whole life. I got Pepper at the 9 when he was 6 and he was my baby until he died at the age of 28 yrs, old and I was 38 yrs. old. Very sad day for me. I had been laid up w/a broken leg or 3 months and hadn't seen him in 3 months when I saw him every day for 20 yrs. and the last 8 yrs. he lived on my sister's farm but I still saw him and brushed him and spent time w/him on every visit. I think he died because he was depressed and missed seeing me because my sister said he looked good and laid down one night and never got up again. Those first couple of months were terrible for me!  I don't know if I can ever own a horse again due to health issues.  Pepper was an Appalossa and I showed him steadily on the appy circuit for 5 yrs as a hunter/jumper and he loved to jump but since I was 10 and had scolosis I was told not to ride but my parents didn't enforce that. My trainer was about 300 lbs and about every 30 minutes he would give me bear hug and crack my back from bottom to top so I could ride pain free for another 1/2 hour and do it again. In 1997 I had a car accident and flipped my truck. My daughte(who started riding before she could walk) had a horse by then too. From 1997 on I just took easy trail riding for 3 yrs until 2000 when my back and legs started going numb and I weas diagnosed w/failed back syndrom.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

DZackery:

 My point is that I have a back up plan...for earning a living. :) I love the horses, I love the barn and I love the business but I would recommend a back up plan for you as well. :) Just in case.

Agree, agree, agree.

Though there is much debate in this world about what a "real" degree is... I double-majored in English-Writing and Theatre.  To many, that's not exactly "real," but things have worked out.  My writing skills and ability to speak in front of people translated well into Human Resources, and I now work in equine event production!  Yes, I do ride, and yes, I have two horses, but they were not required for this job.  Knowing and loving horses, however, was a requirement!

 There are plenty of equine jobs that don't require riding, besides vet, masseuse, etc.  You will, however, need to know your noodles about horses!  There are many business-related jobs in the equine industry.  Every equine magazine, for example, has a staff.  Major breed organizations have a staff.  Any sizeable equine business may need a business partner for marketing, communications, public relations, advertising, accounting, management, etc.  There are law practitioners who specialise in equine law.  Equine retail staff works in much the same way- there will be floor staff and corporate staff for some of the big names!  Non-profits employ people to help with the business side of things- rescues, well-known shows, therapy programs, camps, etc... all of these would require knowledge of horses without actually requiring you to get on a horse!

There are also ways to get a "horse fix" without making it your career.  Events like Quarter Horse Congress, Equine Affaire, Rolex, etc, require volunteers to make things run- often, as a reward for your services, you'll receive free admission to the events! 

Plus, it sounds like you plan to go to college anyway, which is great.  I firmly recommend it.  Going to college will very likely get you out of your small town and to a place that has more horses- you can get more exposure visiting barns (usually with an appointment), or volunteering at camps/rescues/therapy groups/lesson barns.  They likely won't let you interact with the horses right away, but starting out on stalls or barn maintenance has been the initial building block for many an active rider today!

So my advice is learn, learn, learn.  Read all the publications you can- not just magazines and website, but books, too- watch DVDs about horses as well.  Go to the horse expos and events as you are able.  Find out what is in your area- your town may be horse-free, but what is within an hour of travel?  Are there other equine-inclined folks in your area?  Maybe you could meet up and discuss your passion and their livelihood (in a safe, non-creeper sort of way, of course).

 Best of luck to you, OP.  If anyone had told me, growing up, that I would some day make my living from horses, I would have laughed, laughed, laughed at them.  Now here I am, getting paid to learn about different breeds, with a drawer full of contact information for top-notch equestrians!