Thinking about being a STABLE HAND????

Question

ok... so I want to be an equine veterinarian (a vet. that works on horses). And right now i am 14. when I am 15, i want to take up a job as a stable hand, but here's the thing:

Well, i started riding when i was ten. I know how to walk, trot, canter, gallop, and jump... small jumps.. but yea. When i took lessons, my trainer never tought me how to clean up the stables one by one, how to feed them, or what to feed them, etc. So basically i have no clue in how to clean a stable and so on.

but, if i went up to the lady at the barn where i want to be a stable hand, and told her all of this... what do u think she'd say? I don't want to sound dumb, or anything... what should i do? Couldn't she just teach me for a week, and then just let me do it on my own?

THANK YOU!

Answer 1

Just be yourself and be honest.  Just tell the lady you that you have been around horses but never did stable work and that you are willing to learn.  Stablehands are hard to find so I am sure she won't mind showing you what to do.  I grew up around horses and had owned pasture horses when I first started working for a racing stable I had never cleaned a stall.  I just went to track and was honest with trainers and I got hired the same day.  I spent the first week learning to clean stalls and what and when to feed them, etc. I having been working as a groom for 5 years now and my skills have grown alot. If you are willing to learn someone will teach you.

Answer 2

Its okay hunni. Being that good at riding, you should be allowed to help out at the stable.

When I was your age I wanted to be a "stable hand". I rode horses at the farm and I had a dream about being a stable hand. I thought it was really cool to clean out the barns, feed and watering and doing as much as I can help around the barn.

I asked the owner if I can get a stable hand job at the barns (I thought I sounded stupid by saying that). She said, "Yes of course. We can always get help around here". So I got the job when I was 10 years old. I fed, watered, muck out, sweep floors really clean. It was a hard by rewarding career. I got a lot of phone calls now to ask me to clean their barns and excerising their horses. I have 2 barns I have to clean per week and that is a lot. I also go to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair at the Nationals and look after a breeder's horses and make everything neat and tidy by mucking out stalls and the feed and watering. for 3 years now. It is really an honour.

First of all she will be thrilled to hear what you want to be. She will more than happy with the help and stuff. Ask her when she is in the barn after lessons (so she wont be busy) and act like yourself and try to say it the best you can. JUST BE YOU! Tell her how bad you want to do it and how responsible you really are and how much you love horses. Ask her if she can teach you how to be a stable hand and where everything is and whatever you can help out with.

I wish you best of luck and you don't sound dumb. Just be you and ask politely and when you get older you can get to the National Show Stable Hand. You never know!

Answer 3

Just ask her, I'm sure she will enjoy having an extra hand around the farm.  You have to learn somehow and getting in the stalls is the best way.  No is also the best time, so when you're ready to start your work in the clinic at school you will already have seen and done a most of what they will be teaching.  Then you can learn the technical aspect of it.

Answer 4

offer to work for free for 2 weeks or so and dont ask her to teach you as the yard manager/owner she probably has a lot more to do, but say you'll learn stuff off the other girls on the yard. tell her you a quick learner and are sensible around horses.

Answer 5

Well, the best thing to do would be to be polite and tell her that you were a hard worker and willing to learn how. You could also go and ask a horse friend to teach you or find someone to teach you.

People like their stalls cleaned differently so listen. My trainer only likes the c**p mucked out, while my last trainer liked to clean out everything. As for feeding, pay A LOT of attention. If you mess that up, it could harm a horse. They probably won't let you do that at first though.

Just listen, be friendly, and be open to weird stuff!

Good Luck!

Answer 6

if you told  her exactly what you have just told us here - she'll hire you on the spot. obviously you want to learn, it's more than just a job to you. you have experience with horses and comfortable with them, perfect for the job.