Has anyone been a working student?

Question

Is there anyone who has been a working student at an eventing, dressage, or showjumping barn? I'm thinking of applying, and I'd really like to know if it's a good idea, and what to expect. Thanks!

Answer 1

Um, I know this is not really answering your question...but how old do you have to be to be a working student?  Okay just wondering, I have never been a working student, but it sounds like a great idea.  Go for it!

Answer 2

I've been one for a top eventing trainer (Sally O'Connor) and a top dressage trainer, as well as a more informal deal at the farm that I grew up next to.  Every barn/employer will be different.  You will expect to do a lot of work, and do it to the exact specifications of the person in charge.  You can also expect to learn a lot, if the person you're working for is as generous with their time and advice as in my experience.  You will probably ride at least one horse a day in a lesson-like setting, and might ride a few other horses on their "off" training days.  I took a lot of very expensive horses on trail rides.

Answer 3

its amazing! i am currently one and have been for 2 years and i LOVE it!!!!!!!!!! i went every single day this summer to the dressage barn and it was an amazing experience. not only did i get better riding skills i just learned so much about the horses and their feed and just everything that has to do with them. this was the most amazing summer of my life. i plan to do it every summer from now on. this summer also inspired me to get a horse which i am working on!!!! i would say definitely go for it!!!! it was just amazing and i have learned so much!1!

hope this helps

Answer 4

It is fantastic. You can learn so much if you go with the right attitude and offer to help with everything.

I trained at the Talland School of Equitation in England. It was the most wonderful experience, and I learned more than I could have hoped for.

As for what to expect. I would be up at around 6am everymorning, helping with mucking out stables. Then we would ride each morning, can't remember how long. Then some theory. Lunch. Ride again in after noon. Feed horses tidy up yard. Quick clean of tack. Finish for the day.

We did this 6 days a week. I think on a Saturday afternoon we gave the tack a thorough cleaning. For inspection on a Sunday morning, when we would tend to the horses then have the day off.

Some weekends we'd go out eventing, or there would be dressage tournaments etc.

So it was hard work and I became extremely fit.

Best of luck.

Answer 5

I trained at the Talland II International School of Equitation in Burleson, Texas, when I was young. It is a very good idea for you to do it and I highly recommend it.

I didn't ever have to muck stalls, but I did have to clean three rooms full of tack every weekend. I had to groom and tack up anywhere from three to twelve horses near simultaneously to have them ready to lessons, and I had to untack them and put them away when they got back. I wasn't allowed to feed by myself (I was very young), but I could assist with feeding.

On days when I was VERY lucky, I would go out with a lesson that was going on the cross country course. They always liked to take an extra rider who was not in the lesson and could go for help if something happened. And since I was already there, I got to jump the jumps anyway.

I had to put in an 8 hour day to pay for one riding lesson. I remember working so hard, that my legs would be shaking by going home time. And I loved every minute of it.

Expect to work very hard, you will probably get stuck with the grunt work, but you will learn.

Answer 6

I am a working student for a USDF certfied dressage trainer and i love it.

I don't have to turnout, or muck, or clean tack, or feed or help in lessons (they have other students to do that) i'll i have to do is ride. (well i have had to teach a few lessons when the instructors can't or don't want to)

I go twice a week and i ride from anywhere to 3-8 horses in a day. There are two trainers at the barn and they teach all day and they can't always get to the horses that are there for training so thats where i come in i get to ride their personal horses plus other boarders horses. And since my instructor is there he can help me when i get stuck or help teach me more.

For every 10 hours i work i get 1 lesson.

It has been quite fun working there plus i recently got a nice deal where one of the ponies is to much for the little girl who rides her so she will be coming to my barn and i will get to trainer her and sell her. So i am quite excited.

But you will learn a lot for sure about all kinds of horsemanship, and riding knowledge that will be very helpful to your horse as well.

Answer 7

I've done two working student programs, the first for an Advanced Level eventing rider and the second for a Grand Prix show jumper, and gained a lot from each one.

In the first, I was one of six girls who participated in the resident student program. We shared a house on property, received free board, daily lessons, and a small stipend. We also had the opportunity to ride 4-8 horses a day, and compete at horse trials. In return, we were up at 4 AM doing stalls, turn-out for the 80+ stall facility, feeding, and barn maintenance. We easily worked 13 to 14 hour days, much of it very physical labor. About half of those who started the year residency never finished it. It was fantastic because it really demonstrates just how hard it is to make it in this business. By finishing the program, though, I got great recommendations for jobs and access to the second program.

When I worked for the Grand Prix show jumper, I was the sole working student at his barn. I didn't have to do stalls, and instead I wrapped and bandaged all horses before and after work-outs, learned how to administer all different types of medications, and learned his training and lunging methods. Again, I had the opportunity to ride and compete on some very nice horses, and we traveled to some of the biggest shows in the US and abroad.

Both programs were very hard, very intense, and totally worth it. If you don't have a ton of money, being a working student can be a good opportunity to get your foot in the door at a bigger barn. I recommend training and studying with the best trainer you can find in your discipline. If you complete the program, you'll come out with fantastic references that people in the business will respect, and a real idea of what this life is like. Alternatively, you may decide the horse business isn't for you. That's what a working student program is like, an internship. It can help you on your way to starting your business, or it can help you determine whether or not this is even the life for you.