PLEASE ANSWER GUYS!!!!!!!xxxxxxxxxxxxx?

Question

ok, i love horses and im looking for people who own horses or stables that need help (mucking out, grooming)

I have some experience with them from helping out at stables and getting a free 15 minute ride...not much....... i dont really like it there because i dont learn much and the people arent very nice....

i have looked on the internet for other stables but none of them need help, i have also considered helping friends but they all live way too far away......

if u wer in my position and u wanted to help out with horses to get a long free ride, what would YOU do???????

Answer 1

Your going to have to include where you live =]

Answer 2

No matter where you live, the key is knowing where good horse people live.  There are many people out there who are happy to allow you to hang about and help - but that doesn't mean for hours a day.

Heck, if someone I trusted and liked came along and asked if they cleaned all my stalls every day, would I give a lesson once a week, I'd do it in a heartbeat!

So go to your local tack stores and ask the people who work there for ideas or who may want/need some help - also place a notice on the bulletin board there.

Keep in mind, that if you are young, this time is valuable to a horseperson - you must be very responsible and able to keep working without constant supervision.  You don't say how old you are, but no matter what age, if I tell you what I need done, and I show you how I want it done, then I have to stand there and watch you - it's not a value to me, because now not only do I have to be there while you clean the stalls (not saving any time for me), I have to do something I may not be comfortable with in telling you how to do every little thing.  Likewise, if I tell you waht I need done and I come back in an hour and it's either not done or not done right, it's very frustrating.

So the first thing you need to do when you find a person to help out is be very responsible and be very trustworthy.  Don't talk to much, or follow the owner around asking hundreds of questions.  There is a proper time and place for all things - a right time to ask questions, and a wrong time.  Also, don't be silent and just follow orders - if you see something else you can help out ask if you can do that other thing.  If you have a genuine question about something that's happening or the owner is doing, ask them if you can ask them the question - showing and intelligent interest and remembering the answer proves that you are smart and able to learn and remember.

Be on time when you're supposed to be there to help.

Also, some people might wish you or your parents to sign a waiver - working with horses or around them can be dangerous, so many people will not allow others around for fear of that person getting hurt and them being sued.

Assuming you are young, it would be a good idea to get your parents involved - have them speak with the owner and insure they know what the owner expects.  Once in a while your parents should inquire as to your helpfulness and how you're doing.

Ask how you are doing along the way, what you might be able to improve upon and learn from what they tell you.  Don't take offense to anything they tell you nor how they tell you.  You say you didn't like where you were - our strengths grow from being able to take what we can from a situation.

In the horse world, most people have strong opinions about what is right and what is wrong.  Two people can have completely opposite opinions about the same exact thing and swear they are the only right ones.  YOu must learn to interact with all sorts of people and you must learn to take criticism for what it is.  If you think someone's being mean to you, you must take what they're telling you first, and how they're telling you last - also, sometimes you may think someone is being mean to you when perhaps they just are frustrated that what they are saying isn't making sense to you and they don't know how to make it make sense.

This time in your life offers you opportunities to grow and learn from interacting with people and horses - no experience no matter how large, how small, how good or how bad will teach you something.  After every experience really think about how it went, how you reacted and what you learned from it.

Also, just because you are not riding a horse doesn't mean you cannot have fun and learn from them.  If one watches a group of horses - every step they make and movement and thinks about why they did they, you will be able to learn things about horses that you never knew - things you need to know to become a good horseperson.  Getting on and riding is the last 10% of what a good horseman/woman needs to be able to do.  They must understand the horse from the ground completely and be able to control the animal completely from the ground before they get on - when you get on, you are learning to equate what you've learned from the ground to the back of the horse.  So people who just get on and ride often are not the best horsemen - real good horseman maybe spent only 30% of their time around horses actually ON them.

Good luck!

Answer 3

If there is a rescue ranch in your area consider volunteering there. That way you can do work around horses for free and maybe even do some riding. Rescue ranches always need help.

Although your first thought will be that horses at a rescue ranch are all emotionally damaged, that isn't the case. There are often older horses or horses people simply could no longer afford that are good horses. I adopted two horses from a rescue ranch and they are good horses.

Plus the emotionally damaged horses need loving too, and you will find helping them to be very rewarding. Plus  you will learn about dealing with horse behavior, good and bad.

I can't speak to the rescue ranches in your area but most of them have some horses that are good to ride, and you may be able to get riding lessons there.

Good luck,

David

http://gentlenaturalhorseman.blogspot.co...

Answer 4

Find a local stable. Go there in person.

Answer 5

dont give up! you will find a place soon enough...

Answer 6

I would go to a local tack shop (look in the yellow pages) and ask about barns in the area.  Then just go to the barns and talk to people.  Even if they aren't looking for help, they might know someone who is.  You could also check out some horse rescue centers.  They always need help and sometimes have riding opportunities.

Answer 7

I'd look for legitimate rescues and rehabbers.

They are always long on need and short on help.  These aren't lesson horses they're trying to make a living off of, and the time you spend at the side and in the saddle adds to the rehabilitation of the horses, and helps get them ready for adoption.

Answer 8

U can look on craigslist and they might have a job for u. Just search under horse jobs.

Answer 9

First of all, your location is important.  Secondly, I would check out some of the horse forums and see who is looking for help.

Answer 10

Well i found an add for a CMM Equestrain Center in PA. We need to know where you live ect. Look on horse forms for Help Wanted ads.

Answer 11

well... you have a few options:

1) talk to the owner of your current stable, explain that you would like to have longer periods to ride... start off with suggesting half an hour.  tell them that you will do extra work in exchange.  you could also talk to some of the boarders, and offer to exercise their horses when they are on vacation/busy.  >this is great for college kids!!<  say you will exercise them and care for them while they are gone for free.

if people blow you off about this, continue to work hard and they pay change their minds.... and otherwise if you still know that you dislike the barn/people at the barn give the owner a letter of resignation (much like you would for a normal job search online for samples) so that you can leave on a good note and at least use them as a reference.

2) (this could also be done after trying #1) contact the other barns in your area, say you are willing to help out for free/for riding... after a month or so when people learn to trust you ask if you can ride/exercise their horses (same thing with if they are on vacation).......... be persistant in contacting the other barns, visit them if possible or call and then later do a follow-up (2-3 weeks after) to see if they need any help.  if you show that you are really interested and willing to work to get the job you will.  treat it like any other "job" except instead of cash your payment is riding time!  good luck!