All horse people opinions needed!?

Question

Okay. Im 13. Almost 14. And I have 4 or 5 friends who want to start going to shows, and grooming for people. Most of us have been around horses for more then 7 years. We all know how to properly groom, bathe, braid, pick stalls, tack up, clean tack, etc...We all know what were doing. We all show. We all have horses. And all ride. Do you honestly think we would be hired at any show? Any tips? Or anything we should know? Should we price?

This would help! thanks!!

(:)

Answer 1

I would check with stables that show around your area.  (do you have transportation to get around if necessary?)   Go and meet the trainer and the people showing and perhaps leave them with a flyer - stating what you do and how much.  Offer to be at the shows when they need you.  Also be prepared with the information you need to fill out a job application - dates of any other jobs you've had, references if you have any.  etc.  

I think when people are 'at' the show they are more nervous and may not feel they have time to interview or hire someone.  If you approach them before the show at their stable they may go hey, cool.  and hire you.

I would be specific in the flyer - naming skills and experience -like what kind of braiding do you do?  How long have you been doing?  Also if you have someone you know that would give you a recommendation for hard working, knows horses etc - you could print it on back of the flyer...

Also you might list any good show wins you've had with your horse you prepped? - and the prices as without that they may assume you are too high for them.  

You might also land a job at a local stable that needs someone to clean stalls, groom, exercise, lunge or whatever.  :)

Good luck!

PS My son started working cleaning stalls & tack and helping with horses when he was 12, so if you are willing to work hard I'm sure You can get a job, too.

Answer 2

Most people who show have their own grooms and/or do it themselves.

Answer 3

No.

Your best bet is to ask around your yard and see if anyone there wants you.

Why not go to your own shows and have the fun yourself and let other people do the dirty work?

Answer 4

it's not likely you would get paid (much) for your work until you could say that you had done it for a many people (and had references to back you up, etc).

Showing up at a show looking for work is probably not your best bet either.  You clearly know people in the horse community so ask them if they would like help at their next show!  You never know who would really appreciate anything from tack cleaning and grooming to braiding and help on the day of the show (it always helps to have a ground person to brush off your boots right before you enter the ring!).  

I did this for some of my teen years, i started probably when i was around 12 (had been riding and working around horses for 6 years by then)  and by the time i was 16 i had my own horse so i had my own worries at shows haha.  However, i had some great opportunities to work with some fun people and horses and learn plenty!  I am a dressage rider at the core, but i have experience in a multitude of disciplines, and if not for my "free grooming" for shows i would never have learned so much about other types of horse competition!  And everyone does show prep differently so its a great experience to learn what works best for you.

Some people will be greatful for your help and may go as far as to be generous and let you do all sorts of things with their horses and even pay you, while others will be terrified of anyone but themselves going near their precious animals haha, so just take it all in stride and do what you can!

good luck!

Answer 5

This is an excellent question. I think just about every horse lover wants a job like this. anything to be with horses. That however is a problem. There is so much demand for a job and not enough to go around. You however will probably have the advantage because you have experience. I think that you should do advertising but ALSO go to any barns around your area (especially the very large riding schools) and ask them if they would need a groom for a show. It is hard to say if you would be hired but it is worth a try. But I wouldn't recommend doing it for the money. You see farms can pay under minimum wage. So don't let people take advantage of you. make an hourly price and go no lower. I think 7.50$ an hour is reasonable depending on the type of work and show.

If you can't find a job try finding young riders heading to their first shows. Any parent and rider would find a huge use in a experienced hand. If you can find someone who wants to compete in the same discipline as you then talk to them. I would recommend that you get a babysitting certificate from the red cross, just so the parents feel more secure with you. Of course they will want to get to know you more. Anyway Lets say you found a 9 year old going to their first show. You could help them get everything ready and help calm them down. Anything would help. SO that's about all i can say. I wish you good luck with the search. I myself would love to work on a horse farm, but I'm in a family business. Good luck!

Answer 6

Ok i am the same age as you ( i couldn't do what your doing I compete all the time). Anyway I believe , if you showed you were dedicated, motivated and advertised you could do it. Although you probs wouldn't get paid a great amount but it would give you a lot of experience. Advitise in a local tack shop ect ect and ask around the pony club , yard!

good luck xx

Answer 7

Some people want to do everything themselves and others want help. You'll encounter both at shows. People at large shows like county and stated fair will pay to have their horse groomed and especially braided and banded. I went to state and we paid a lady $55 to braid his mane and french braid his tail and forelock. She was a pro though and it looked amazing. I know that at 4-H shows the rider has to do everything and cannot have help, so 4-H show would be a waste of time. I'm sure you'd get hired by at least 5 people. Just make sure to explain yourself and your experience with horses to convince them. Remember braiding (real fancy showing braiding) should cost morethatn simple banding. Also some people use  fake tails. You could put those in for maybe 5?

Answer 8

It's hard to say. Only people at large end shows that I know of pay people to do that sort of stuff for them. What I can suggest, is do some work for people for cheap/free, then ask them to take pictures of your work and be a reference for you for future clients. Make up some professional looking flyer's and just hope for the best!  

Answer 9

I honestly do not think anyone will hire you.

The people that use/want grooms go to barns where they have full time grooms. These grooms come to the shows with them and take care of everything (feeding, grooming, tacking up, braiding, everything).

The people that take care of their own horses at home usually do it on their own at shows or have a friend come with them to help. Some people also like taking care of their own horses because it is calming.

You also have to think about where you will have to go to find barns that use grooms. Only 1 or 2 barns on our local circuts use grooms. The big shows barns use grooms but they also travel and show in shows that are states away. If you can get hired by them will you be able to travel that far?

If you want to work at horse shows then look into working the shows. Our local hunter circut hires horse savy teenagers to run the gates and announce things. You could also be a judges assistance or help run the office. I am 15 and am working the rings in the fall season. I quit showing it because it is rigged. And Im not making it up because I did poorly in the shows. Money actually changes hands, trainer to judge and when a judge that isnt local and doesnt place the right people 'correctly' they are not asked back. Anyway, Im working their rings 8am to whenever my ring ends (usually 4-5pm) and make $100 a day. These shows are 2-day shows so $200 per weekend. And I dont have to advertise or anything. Another plus, I can watch my friends ride and meet new people at the in gate.

Call your local circut and see if you can get a job like mine.