How to become a working student for top equestrians?

Learn how to train horses. Parelli and Monty Roberts books. Those are your first steps. I am one of the most talented people at my barn because of them. Conversations With Horse is also a good book. These authors and books help you really understand and connect with your horse. Conversations With Horse has a little crazy stuff in it but it still is a great book. You could just start out training horses to jump or some else simple then move to the actual process of taming(yes TAMING not breaking, it's called breaking for a reason) horses. Volunteer at Therapeutic riding academies and horse rescues and local barns. Maybe get a job at your local feed and/or tack store. **** luck!

My sister is interested in the same profession as you. She ended up going to college for biology after we convinced her that a college degree is a college degree. Look at the economy and look at thousands of people trying to find jobs without a college degree. Being a professional trainer is something dependent the amount of money people have available for luxury. Outside of medical and agriculture, owning a horse is a luxury. When the economy suffers, people will forgo expensive luxuries (owning a horse, taking lessons, etc.) Where will this place you? What if you have to seek other employment because you are no longer able to provide for yourself as a horse trainer? Well that puts you in an ultra competitive market with no specific skills. A college degree is just that: a set of generalized skills applied to a specific discipline. Many science curriculums are now incorporating writing to demonstrate just that. I was recently laid off from my field and found employment in another field I had never worked in simply because I had a four year degree. I was chosen over people with 10-25 years experience. Another thing to consider: Are your parents paying for it? Then I would say you are being very immature to not use the college funding your parents put aside for you. Even if you have to pay for some of your college, then start off at a community college. You can often times take online, night, and weekend classes. This would be great if you want to pursue training during the day.

While you are finishing school I would stick to the local stables and studs. But still send a letter off and see if you can get work there during your holidays. Also a good idea because atleast then they know who you are and what you want, so if something else comes up they may let you know. In the equine industry word of mouth is a huge thing. If you have a great refernce than that would be a big help, and if you don't then work on getting that refernce. Also contacts, talk to as many people you know and find out who they know, and then keep going till you find what you want, its been my biggest help. You would be surprised some of the people that people know and just how small the world is.

So just keep bugging them and make sure that they know who you are and make sure that they dont forget you! Do whatever you can to get you stuck in there head so when something comes up they will think of you.

Good Luck it will happen just be persistant, its working for me in the Horse Racing industry

There is absolutely no reason why you could not reach your goals if you try hard enough. But here is the kicker: it is REALLY hard if you are devoted to it. Also, it is totally worth it. I do not know your experience with horses period, as this could make a BIG difference as to where you should work. I am assuming you know how to ride and take lessons. if this is true, as your trainer or instructor for references. Networking is key: meeting the right people. If you do not have access to someone who can give you good references or direct you to a good trainer, find your local Pony Club and ask them for their recommendations. they will likely have connections and can better evaluate your personal circumstances. look up www.ponyclub.org and "find a club". I started being a working student at 14 until I turned 19. great opportunity, but you give your sweat and blood. in high school, stick to a barn closer to home that still suits your needs so that it wont take away from school. after college, you can apply to many different barns that might offer you room and board (for virtual slave labor). remember, famous names are not the ONLY top caliber trainers. you need to get into the field to learn more. pony club is also a great opportunity to learn good horse management skills and give you good references if you are interested.

Well, the way I did it, working with Paul Schockemoehle, the Olympic Gold Medallist in Germany was to write and ask for a job! I was gob-smacked when I got a phone call asking me to go over in the next week! I was in the middle of college exams so they just said, well start when you want to.

I did work with the top horses when the travelling groom was on the circuit and it was hard work. Mainly mucking out, sweeping, grooming, feeding, dealing with sick horses and helping the vet but it gave me invaluable experience. I mainly groomed and prepared horses for sale and since there were so many horses with different characters it was good for me. I also got to handle young stock and stallions. I guess I could have gone further but I had my own horse at home and I had deliberately set aside 6 months.

I then went home, got a few "proper jobs" but those never held my interest so I went to train for my AI. I then ended up working for top jumpers such as Mike Florence - a lot of it was word of mouth but they do also advertise in things like Horse and Hound and some of the job agencies. Typing in different riders' names and looking for their web-sites is one way of finding out who is hiring or firing.

As long as you are willing to work very hard and unsociable hours for peanuts you can get further. Eventually I had to stop due to illness and family problems but it was all good experience. it is not a job for the faint hearted but I did get to look after some lovely horses including Corbierre (who was the first horse to win the Grand National for a woman trainer, Jenny Pitman) when he retired from racing and went on to be trained for showjumping. The horse industry is full of bitchy people and you need to get tough quick.

The horse world is full of kids just like you. Now dont let that get your hopes down (I said like you not better) but it is tough. i admire your ambition. you will need to start at the bottom and work your way up.