Horse Care
An Introduction to Horse Care
Many people dream of working with horses but are never quite sure of where to start or what the opportunities are. Working in the equine industry can encompass a whole range of things such as groom, riding instructor, yard manager, farrier and equine veterinary nurse; the opportunities are vast.
There is no doubt that working with horses can involve working long hours with low pay and can be physically demanding. However the work can be incredibly rewarding and job satisfaction is high. Vacancies can be very competitive and what often gives applicants the edge is experience, enthusiasm and a qualification relevant to the job. It is a good idea to find some work experience prior to entering into a career with horses, this will allow you to gain a good idea of what the work involves and whether it is for you.
What qualifications do The College of Animal Welfare offer for those working with horses?
We offer City & Guilds Diplomas in Work-Based Horse Care at Levels 1, 2 and 3 aimed at people who are currently working with, or wishing to work with, horses. Some of these may be taken whilst working in a voluntary position allowing those who have been unsuccessful in finding employment the opportunity to still commence their training, which may lead to improved job prospects. Often there are a choice of units which students can take to suit their interests and needs.
We also run one day and bitesize courses on equine topics. These courses are open to all, from those who are working in the equine industry to those who have a passion for horses looking to attend for personal interests.
What opportunities are there once I have a qualification in horse care?
There are many different directions your career could go in and this will depend on your interests. For example, if you were working as a stable hand you may progress to a groom or yard manager. There are also opportunities in education, by perhaps becoming a lecturer or assessor/internal verifier.
Each year The College of Animal Welfare holds a Careers With Animals Day from our centre in Cambridgeshire. It is well worth attending and you will come away with lots of information and new ideas. We have trade stands with representatives from different areas of the animal care sector such as the British Racing School, Farriery Training Service, Guide Dogs Association, Groomers and The Raptor Foundation. Representatives are not guaranteed and may vary from year to year, an exhibitor list is available on the Careers With Animals Day website above.
If you are wanting to work with horses but are unsure about where to start, please feel free to call us on 0844 372 9410 and speak to a member of staff who will be happy to talk you through your options.
If you want to work with animals but are unsure about where to start, please feel free to contact us.