relationships education & training housing & shelter health & emotions money jobs get active rights help

Working Abroad Job Vacancies Job Hunting Guide Voluntary Work Working Part-time and Temping Useful Job Hunting Resources Working in Somerset Wages and Employment Rights Equestrian workers in Somerset CLCI: WAM CRCI: HC The equine industry is one of the largest employers in the countryside. Jobs with horses are found in livery yards, trekking centres, schooling yards, hunting yards, competition yards, stud units and racing stables. There are also jobs in horse welfare and rehabilitation, saddlery and farriery work. It’s a way of life as well as a job. Hours can be unsocial - with relatively poor pay - and you are outdoors in all weathers! To find out more look under the above CLCI/CRCI headings in your careers or Connexions library THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT EQUESTRIAN WORK IN SOMERSET Somerset has more horse-related businesses than many other parts of the country. As well as riding stables and livery yards, there are businesses associated with tourism and the horse racing world. These include trekking centres (especially around Exmoor), racing stables (particularly for National Hunt racing) and race courses at Taunton and Wincanton. Point-to-point racing and hunting is also particularly strong in Somerset. There are also rural craft industries such as farriery and blacksmithing. Examples of jobs include riding instructor, groom, stable manager, horse breeder, racing trainer, racing stable staff, riding therapist, farrier, event trainer and trekking centre worker. HOW DO I GET STARTED?   Get work experience when at school to see if it’s the career for you   Start as a trainee – or apprentice – at a stables or equestrian business and get qualifications as part of your job   Go to college full-time to do an equestrian course USEFUL QUALIFICATIONS   No particular GCSEs but being good in maths, English and science can help   Various BTEC and NVQ courses in equine studies at colleges such as Bridgwater (Cannington Centre)   University-level equine science and management courses   Horse industry qualifications and training offered by the British Horse Society, Association of British Riding Schools, National Stud, British Racing School, Northern Racing College and other bodies More about qualifications, courses and training can be found in Moving On (published by Connexions Somerset) DO YOU KNOW? The horse world can be entered after school, college or university. Over thirty universities and colleges run equine degree, foundation degree and HND courses. WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE? Around £80 per week (maybe more) if starting as a new employed trainee or apprentice. Many jobs - for both young people and adults - pay around the minimum wage FINDING A JOB   Connexions centres   Job centres   Through applying for work apprenticeships   School and college careers notice boards   Speculative letters/visits/emails   Newspaper and industry publications adverts   Adverts displayed at premises and on industry/company websites   Job offer after work experience   Word of mouth   A Guide to Job Hunting gives tips on CVs, interviews and job letters. To view click here OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS WORK   Many jobs in the horse world involve long (and awkward) hours, dirty conditions and lots of time outdoors   The work isn’t always as glamorous as it seems and the pay isn’t brilliant. You need to work hard and be very committed   There is a big variety of jobs so you need to consider which branch of horse work must suits you   You need a love of horses and to be confident with them. For some jobs you also need to be good with people!   For the right person it can be enormously rewarding and challenging   Training and qualifications are important but you learn with experience and never really stop learning   There are opportunities to switch employers and to eventually run your own business   Most jobs are in the countryside so getting to and from work - at funny times - can be an issue WHO DOES THE WORK? Susie (18) from West Somerset works in a National Hunt yard doing stable duties and accompanying horses to race meetings. She’s halfway through an apprenticeship and is busily gaining NVQs as part of her training. Tony (23) went to college to do BTEC equine and BHS riding instructor qualifications. He’s now a riding instructor in the South Somerset area and, after getting some horse management qualifications in his own time, is now hoping to set up his own business. More info: A-Z Careers Careers information dates rapidly. Every effort has been made to ensure information is accurate but please check details before making firm decisions. Connexions Somerset April 2006. Make text larger Make text smaller Text Only Display Privacy Policy/Terms of Use