Does anyone know of any Horse Ranches in Southern California that need some ranch hands?

Question

Hi, I'm trying to gain some experience working with horses. I rode horses when I was younger, western and easter saddle but predominantly western. I'm 20 years old and do indeed have a strong back and work ethic. Does anyone know of any ranches or stables in Socal that wouldn't mind someone coming and helping out (unpaid) at their place to gain experience?

Answer 1

Go to the Equimax website at www.equimax.com and post a resume. This company is an employment service for people in the the horse business, and they can help you search out reputable farms and ranches that are hiring. I agree with the idea that no one works for free in that part of the country, or just about anywhere else, for that matter. Equimax has an online jobs list, and they get ads for openings from people and farms across the country, as well as some overseas and international positions. Their fees are modest- $45 will get you a 6 month subscription to the online jobs list, and as well as an open listing on the list of candidates that employers will see. Make sure that you give Equimax correct contact information when you join- that is the single most important thing you can do, so employers can contact you. I have used the service many times with great success each time, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a SAFE, reliable way to look for work in the horse business. Going to the track at Santa Anita is not really a good idea if you want to find someone reputable who won't take advantage of a newbie like yourself. Another thing, since you give your age as 20, you may want to check out the local universities and colleges in your area and see if you can find one that offers equestrian studies courses  and also has a riding facility. If you were a student at such a place, then you probably could work in the barn for free or for class credit to gain experience. I know that there are several such schools and colleges in the state of California- I used to live in the Bay Area, near San Francisco, and there are plenty of horse people and facilities there. I certainly would check out the school angle first, before I  would do something like go to Santa Anita. If you are a woman, then the odds are if you try to ask for a job at a place like that, you will get taken advantage of in some way. I know what I am talking about- I have more than 20 years experience in the management side of the horse business, including several years as a working student. Many times, the so called professionals in this business are really after nothing more than a quick buck, and they don't give one hoot in h**l how they get it or whose toes they have to step on. These are the people that see horses as commodities rather than as living things, and you will find a lot of them at the racetrack. They could care less about the animals' feelings, and they aren't interested in dealing with someone who has little or no experience- they don't have the time or the patience for them. There are other professionals which I have worked with and around who think that working students are expendable, and who will only very grudgingly admit that these people have the right to decent treatment. During my years in this business, I have seen people get FIRED- yes, FIRED, for something as simple as failing to turn off a lightswitch or roll a bandage the right way. I once even saw someone lose their job because they didn't immediately straighten out a horse's twisted blanket- when the horse had only twisted it 5 minutes before the owner discovered this. ( The student in question was working with another client's horse on the opposite end of the barn aisle at the time and didn't know what had happened until it was all over afterwards. She lost her job the instant the horse's owner discovered the blanket twisted, and was asked to leave the farm that same afternoon- and she had no other place to live at that point , the way most working students don't. ) This is incredibly unfair, yes, and some would even say STUPID, yes, but it is the reality of life in the horse business, and you must be aware of that if you decide to make it your profession too. The odds are that as a newbie, you will have to put up with a lot of mistreatment and emotional abuse before you will find that things improve. If you are like most people, you will get sick of being mistreated and leave the business, the way I eventually did, for something with more security and a better future. You also can expect lots of long hoursin all kinds of weather conditions, very low pay ( especially at first) and little or no job security. Most of the employers in this business do not offer any kind of benefits either- that means no health insurance ( and it is very dangerous to be without at least some of this if you are going to work with horses) no sick leave, disability leave, vacation time, or any other benefit you can name that is usually available elsewhere in other businesses .The horse business is also a haven for illegal immigrants and people with crimminal backgrounds who are looking for a place to hide out. Because these employers are less than careful about who they hire, there is a chance of crimminal activity almost anywhere you go, especially in certain parts of the country, such as California. The prevailing attitude is that these people may not be here legally, but they can stilll shovel sh**t for a living. ( The wealthy owners of most of these places would rather die than pick up a shovel or manure fork themselves.)  I'm not trying to scare you off, but I do think you need to be aware of the realities of life in this business before you go looking for work. I am passing on what I have learned so that you will benefit from it, and go into this with your eyes open. Good luck in your search.

Answer 2

In So Cal everything demands a price to be paid.  Sometimes it's a trade, but no one works for free unless they want trouble from the other workers.  Horses cost too much & it is just too risky to let someone handle them for free.  There are too many people with ulterior motives that go from Ranch to Ranch just to sabotage the horses of a rival owner/trainer.  If you are serious, go to Santa Anita for the morning workouts at clockers corner & ask around.  Someone should be willing to put you on their worklist or refer you to some farms.  You can also use the Yellow pages & start looking for Farms in your area.  You'll need a valid photo California ID or DL.

Answer 3

Nope.  Sorry for the answer, but im trying to level up.