What is a good way to get more experience around horses?

Question

Hey there, so I've been riding for about 9 or so years, I'd say I'm a good rider, but I feel like I'm lacking in the other departments, such as stable managment, I've been reading up in my pony club D level book, but I was wondering, how can I get more experience with horses? I would love a career with horses some day, but I need more experience I feel. Advice? I want a stable job, but my stable doesn't let people work there, htey have mexican stable hands.

Answer 1

Someone already mentioned a horse rescue if applicable, but much more common are therapeutic riding programs that you can volunteer for.  Check out narha.org to see if there is a location near you.  Most organizations need help outside of riding lessons with horse care too :)

Answer 2

spend time around them.

read books. other than the pony club.

Answer 3

Actually join PC. I read the D and C manuals a dozen times a piece but I learned more in one Rally weekend then either of those books (or any other) could possibly teach me.

Stuff like using poltinces, studs, properly feeding a variety of horses with differnt needs and how to adapt to very un familiar horses. I also learned how to take a kick from a POed mare but thats another story.

EDIT: You need to have access to the same horse on a regular basis that is sutible for PC. You also need to be able to trailer it to different places.You can lease, buy or simply borrow a horse to use. It just needs to be safe and trained. Most of the horses in my PC are owned by their riders but I know of a few that are free leased to people. The biggest thing that hinders the most people is moving a horse they don't own. Many owners won't allow it because of the libiality.

The horse doesn't have to be amazing, just safe. We have several welshxarabxwho knows what in the local PCs. I know of lots of free horses that fit this description. I have never seen it done but you could probably talk to the DC (district comisioner) of your area and find out if you can study with the PC and work as a stable manager. In theory, you would be able to do unmounted lessons and stable manage at rallies. There is a HUGE shortage of stable managers in the east because no one wants to do it. They want to ride. Ratings might be an issue but I thought for use I saw several unrated SM last year at SJ rally.

Answer 4

Explore every possible thing you can think of to get to the career you want and even things that have nothingto do with the career, and you will greatly expand your knowledge cause it just sticks in your mind!

Answer 5

Is there an equine rescue where you live? They need people to volunteer all the time. By doing that you can get some experience and the people at the ranch will probably be happy to act as references.

Also you will be able to handle horses from all kinds of different backgrounds, some of which aren't so good. The advantage of this is that your handling of horses will be taken to a new level.

David

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

Answer 6

Technically your supposed to have a horse to join PC.  But there are many people in my club who have just joined and are looking for a horse to ride and still participate in Horse Management.  Also some PC are riding Centers, and they have the horses already there.  Yes, just reading the book isn't enough, its a good start, but to really get the experience you need to be out with the horses.  If joining PC is just not a option right now, check out the local barns, and see if there is anyone their who well let you help them take care of their horse, and to learn more information from them.  Plus lots of people lease horses for PC, and maybe one of the instructors or a nearby family is looking for someone to lease their horse.  All PC are different, so I would find one in your area, by going on to the USPC website, and talk to the DC, and maybe you guys can work something out.

Answer 7

get a job at a tack shop, or a feed place.

u would be suprised at how much u could learn from the people around u.