Equine profession?

Question

I really want to go to college and become a horse trainer, equine chiropractor, or bascially do anything that revolves around horses. I've been looking up colleges on the internet and found one I really like, a private school called Meredith Manor, but being a private school it's very expensive. It has more on-hands training then, basically, any other college, but it also has a very small, limited enrollment (only about 75.)

Anyways, I'm not sure if it would best if I just go to a university and major in Equine Science or MM where they hand out certificates for completing a class?

Or should I just work with a professional and gain my skills there?

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Answer 1

If you have the smarts, the funds and the stomach, you should become an equine vet. My dad is a vet, and he tells us all the time about how there is a huge shortage of large animal veterinarians right now.

If you want to become a horse trainer, the best way to do it is to get accredited and then apprentice off of a good instructor.

If you go to university and major in Equine Sciences, then you'll learn about things like diet, etc, and you can become a  nutritionist, and develop diets for horses.

The horse industry is so vast, there's so much you can do with it, good luck!

P.S - The Meredith Manor program looks amazing. I would personally go to University and get a degree there first, and then apply to MM.

Answer 2

If you want to be  a trainer, you just need lots and lots of hands on experience, starting off working with an experienced and good trainer, and with lots and lots of different types of  horses.  You don't learn to train horses by getting a degree (though it wouldn't hurt in terms of learning how to care for horses). An AS or BS in equine science is ok, but you really need to work with horses to work with horses well.  The equine science certificate just means you were able to memorize the info (not a bad thing to do) and work with a handful of horses in a very limited setting.  it would be better to work with horses for a few years, and then get a degree if you want.  Employers are not really impressed with a certificate with no practical experience to back it up.

To become a chiropractor, vet tech or vet, you'll need education.  Obviously the amount varies tremendously, as will the potential income.  There are several other careers involving horses.  (massage therapist, bloodstock agent, equine appraiser, farrier, dentist, nutritionist.. . . . )

I don't know how old you are, but if I were you, I'd start by getting a job at a stable where the discipline I'm most interested in is the focus.  Work really hard, make yourself indispensible, and learn everything you can about horses. Tallk to people who are doing what you think you'd like to do.

In the meantime, there are a gazillion books available on every aspect of horsemanship and horse careers, not to mention volumes on the net, so start reading.  Good luck with your career!

Answer 3

There are a number of state universities with equine programs of various sorts.  

Montana State University, Bozeman, MT

Bachelor of Science in Animal Science

Equine Science Option.  Each school in the Montana system seems to have a different equine option, some are extra-curricular.  

or

http://equinescience.colostate.edu/

or

http://www.equinetouchmontana.com/

There are lots of great horse programs.  I know most about my area.  You could try Pullman, Washington.  Check your state's university system first, if cost is important.  You can always to start one place and transfer.  

There are so many different ways to use horses to help people, too, not just therapeutic riding, but therapists use horse to help people with fear/trust issues, in a medical program in Arizona  there is a natural horsemanship class that teaches non-verbal communication for soon-to-be doctors to learn to read their patients' body language.

There are so many things!  Have fun looking and more fun doing!

Answer 4

go the this college. it sounds really good i hope you get accepted. good look. Sabrina

Answer 5

I'd go to a college similar to "Meredith Manor" in the winter months and do an externship at a vet's office in the summer...you'll learn a ton of stuff!!!!!  Good Luck!!

Answer 6

I think the most important book young people can read today before making career decisions is "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman.  It isn't about horses, but about the realities we face and where to put your time and money in preparing for the future.  The horse world will be very heavily impacted and most people aren't really preparing for the changes.