Skills and Qualifications Needed

First and foremost, one of the most important qualifications needed for working in the horse industry is having a love and understanding for these fascinating animals along with a great interest in their care and well being.

In addition to being good with horses in general, you will also want to be comfortable working and interacting with other people as well.

The ability to ride a basic course and be in good physical condition with the stamina to work long hours in various weather conditions are some other skills and qualifications needed to thrive depending on the specific aspect of the equine industry.

Getting your hands dirty will more than likely be a part of the equation at some point or another as hands-on training is an integral part of pursuing an education related to horses. Nearly everyone gets their start helping to muck out at least a few stalls regardless of the type of equine career they are pursuing.

When not working and learning out in the stables, related courses including those in bachelor's and associate's degree programs from colleges and universities may entail learning equine life sciences and equine management.

Equine Career Choices

There are many diverse jobs and career choices related to horses or the equine industry in a wide variety of sectors.

Horse trainers and riding instructors are popular choices to consider and if you are interested in racing and have the excellent skills needed, work to become a jockey or start out as an exercise rider. Exercise riders work closely with both jockeys and horse trainers while playing an important role teaching horses the proper ways to run, walk, gallop, and respond to commands.

If you don't have the talent needed but still want to work close to the action, choose racetrack management or a member of the racetrack's staff.

Naturally horses need quality medical care. Veterinarian, veterinarian assistant, or technician are all ideal career choices for those interested in equine health care.

Horses will also always need grooms or stable hands, barn foremen, farriers or blacksmiths, and breeders. New positions are being created in the equine industry including feed specialists, who specialize in horse nutrition, and massage therapists who work directly with the horses performing animal therapy.

There are also a number of jobs that may not include hands-on work but will still give you the opportunity to work in the equine industry. For example, numerous businesses and companies cater to horses in some capacity or another whether it is making saddles or printing racing forms.

Where to Find a Job

As is the case with many types of careers, networking and word of mouth are some of the most effective means of securing a job in the equine industry. Interacting with as many like minded people as possible has the potential to open many doors you may not have even knew existed.

Spend time at horse shows, talking to breeders, visiting the race track, and offer to volunteer at your local 4-H club or horse group for invaluable experience.

There are online resources to take advantage of and you may find job openings in equine magazines and newsletters. Also visit local feed stores and tack shops with bulletin boards featuring job listings and potential leads.

Make a few cold calls or pay a visit to the local barns, riding schools, stables, and veterinarians to inquire about open positions. Check online or use the Yellow Pages for a list of the closest prospects.

If you aren't able to find a full time position you may want to take on a few part time jobs or do seasonal work to gain experience. You may also want to consider doing an internship while taking courses or cleaning out stalls in exchange for your horse's room and board.

Being flexible and persistent will definitely help you to realize your dream of working in the equine industry.

When beginning, a horse will be chosen for you based on its dimensions. There are two common styles of riding. The Western style, which is most popular in America, is what you have probably observed in films and rodeos. The English style is stricter and more formal. This style is observed for most equestrian sports. Seating posture and leg positioning between the two are different. Western style, being more casual, is easier to learn.

The ultimate success in riding is to become one with the horse on both a physical and mental level. Horses can sense your feelings and comfort level. Before riding, you should first learn to understand and handle a horse. This is accomplished by spending time with the horse. Approach a horse slowly and with care. Always touch gently. Watch out for signs of agitation. If its ears go back and you see the whites of its eyes, this is a sign that it may soon bite or kick. A horse is a herd animal by nature, and a rider becomes its leader. Once mutual understanding and respect is established, a horse will trust your guidance implicitly.

Appropriate apparel is important when learning to ride. A helmet is essential for preventing head injuries. Your instructors may provide one for you. Comfortable, strong boots are another must-have. Riding gloves are recommended; these prevent your hands from becoming blistered by the reins. Jeans with studs should not be worn as the studs can damage the saddle. An effective insect repellent is highly recommended.

While learning the basics of riding, it may be helpful to mentally compare the horse to a car. Think of the rear of the horse as your engine, the front legs and shoulders as your steering, and the mouth as your brakes. When using a bit, remember that the horse has a soft mouth and you must not be heavy-handed. Falling is a concern for many beginners, and it is a valid one. Unfortunately, just like when you learn to walk or ride a bike, falling is inevitable. Your instructor will give safety advice.

Above all, respect the horse as a living, sentient being. Even though it is much stronger and larger than you, it has agreed to let you lead it and has given you its complete trust. This should always be considered an

Let's say that you have found a match and the two of you have been communicating for a while. With your mutual love of horses, there is always something there to break the ice during awkward moments when you have both run out of things to say. When it comes time to make the first date, who should initiate it? This is a different age we live in, so you can't just assume it will always be the man. With the safety of relative anonymity on your side, either of you can choose to put the idea out there.

Should you go horseback riding for your first date? That would only make sense, considering that both of you enjoy it so much. However, being that it is your first time meeting this person, you need to be extra careful. If you own your own horse or a family member or friend has a private stable, that may not be the best place to go on your first date. It should be somewhere more public, where there are plenty of other people around and at least one person knows where you are. Naturally, if all goes well the first time around, there will be plenty more opportunity to ride together on private property.

It is important to keep in mind that you and your new love interest should share other hobbies besides both of you being equestrians. Although it is important to find someone who at least understands your passion for horses, it can't be the only thing that holds you together. Eventually, you will want to do and discuss other things, and if loving horses is all you have in common, it may not make for a lasting romantic relationship, but it may create a splendid friendship.

Horses need excellent care, feeding and adequate shelter. They are grazing animals so they need good quality pasture on which to feed and sometimes hay can be supplemented into their diets. Some people feed horses grain, but even if they are eating grain their primary food source should be from grazing. They need a lot of fresh water every day.  Horses can get colic because they cannot vomit and this condition can be fatal. Predominantly horses live outdoors, but they still require some sort of shelter to protect them from inclement weather. They can adapt to a small open shed to a large hay filled stall in a stable.

Horses have the largest eyes of any land mammal, and they have unique vision. A horse can see in monocular and binocular vision. Horses cannot see what they eat, their eyes are positioned on the sides of their head and they use their whiskers and other keen senses to help them find the food. They are especially sensitive to movement and are ready in a moment to bolt because they are easily preyed upon by other animals. A windy day or a lot of commotion around a horse can make them uneasy and jumpy. They have excellent hearing and can hear sounds around them without moving their head. They have a good sense of smell but their other senses are much more keen. They do have an exceptional sense of taste and are especially particular to what they eat. Generally a horse will not eat a poisonous plant. Grooming is important to keep a horse healthy. Horses require washing and brushing regularly.

Horses are intelligent animals and are able to communicate with other horses as well as with their owners. They can be vocal and use motions with their heads to give signals of what they want. They are easily startled, being a prey animal and have a strong fight or flight sense and their first instinct is to run. They will stand their ground if they feel threatened and fight. Horses command a lot of attention and training and with a lot of work can become a stealthy companion. They are social animals and enjoy being around other horses.

Before owning a horse, taking time to research different breeds and needs of horses is essential. A horse requires a lot of work, training and care to offer a healthy quality of life.

Kate - a horse riding woman from Wales

Who is she?

Kate is a 20 year old lady from Wales who loves almost any outdoor activity, particularly if it involves horses and dogs.

What's she like?

Kate is a bubbly yet down to earth person who gets on with most people easily. She owns two border Collies and enjoys taking them for long walks. As you can see from the photo she loves horse riding along the beach but she is also very content to spend a quiet night in with a good film. She also loves Formula 1 and cars so boys, she's a rare a precious thing! Away from the sea shore she also goes drag hunting, but she adds that she's not ruled by her horses so don't feel you have to muck out with her seven days a week.

What is she looking for?

Kate would like to meet a genuine and honest man who will appreciate the fact that although she's only 20 she's very mature for her age. Obviously she'd like to meet a chap who likes similar things and she has plenty more to tell about herself so why not get in touch and find out more?

If you would like to know more then register here or login to Love Horse^® here.

What's he like?
Dave love the outdoors, country life and coastal walks. He spends most of his time working out of doors in the wide open spaces with his feathered friends. He's often on his own, but because of these extended periods of solitude he is much more appreciative of good company, food and wine whether it's at home or out at a restaurant or pub.

What is he looking for?
Dave would like to meet a woman with whom he can share his love of outdoor life. His ideal is the river cottage life so if that sounds like you then perhaps you should get in touch with Dave and make your interest known. He's waiting for your message.

If you would like to know more then register here or login to Love Horse^® here.

Ideally, I would take my friends on a weekend holiday in the countryside. I would make reservations at a resort that either had its own horses for riding or was nearby a stable. Then, I would take them out riding one afternoon. I would plan other activities I know that my friends would enjoy, so that the weekend was more than just horseback riding. If I planned a trip that would be focused on equestrian activities, I do not think I convince some of my friends to go. If you have a friend who is not comfortable around horses because of a personal fear, you might want to contact the stable first and make sure that they have a horse who works well with skittish riders.

Another memorable way to introduce your friends to horse riding is to travel with them to a tropical beach getaway, and go horseback riding along the beach. Many times, people are more open to trying new things while on vacation. It might be easier to convince a friend to give horseback riding a go after they have relaxed on the beach and forgotten about work for a while. If you can get a friend to try horseback riding while they are on vacation, once they return home they will probably be eager to go with you on your regular rides.

While introducing your friends to horseback riding during a holiday might be the easiest and most enjoyable way, it is certainly not the most affordable idea. Fortunately, there are ways to introduce friends to the pleasures of riding horses without breaking the bank. You could purchase a friend an introductory horseback riding lesson for their birthday or just as a random gift. Make sure that your friend would at least be willing to give horseback riding a chance before you purchase the lesson. You do not want to your money to go to waste. You could also just invite your friend along for a ride with you and offer to pay. Many people are willing to try things outside of their comfort zone as long as someone else is footing the bill.

If you follow these tips, you should be able to get your friends to give horseback riding a try. Once you introduce your friends to this enjoyable activity, you will soon have eager companions willing to go along with you on all your horseback rides.

Jules is a 53 year old lady from East Sussex who loves horse and all things equestrian.

What's she like?

Jules is a good communicator. She loves to talk and listen in equal measure and she enjoys putting the world to rights over a glass or two of red wine. She enjoys the fresh country air and is more comfortable out of doors than in, but when indoors she enjoys suppers with friends, country pubs and log fires. She loves to fly and is well travelled, so she has plenty to talk about. Her energy and enthusiasm for life have spurred her on to learn to dance (Le Roc)

What is she looking for?

Jules would like to meet a man who is, like her, honest, loyal, lively and good at expressing his views. He should also share her passion for country live, long walks, horses, and dogs.

If you would like to know more then register here or login to Love Horse^® here.

Carole is a 47 year old lady from Derbyshire who loves country life.

What's she like?

Carole describes herself as honest, open, reliable, affectionate, and passionate (wow - steady boys!). The loves of her life include her three grown up children, several pets and her horse. She likes to keep fit through her horse riding and dog walking. Carole has a strong compassiionate streak and will go out of her way to help others. She seems like the sort of person that enriches the world by her presence.

What is she looking for?

Carole would like to meet a similarly honest and open chap who can treat her with the affection she deserves (liars and cheats need not apply). Eligible gentlemen should share her love the countryside, riding, walking etc. and should be fun loving and kind. She's willing to strike up a friendship at first and take it from there.

If you would like to know more then register here or login to Love Horse^® here.

HJ is a 57 year old (we think she looks a lot younger!) horse loving lady who lives in Kent.

What's she like?

HJ is an independent divorced lady who lives life to the full. She enjoys travelling, good food and wine. She's self-employed in a creative field and commutes between the UK and Milan. When she's not working she divides her time between her horses, her daughter, and her friends. She's learning to play golf and used to ski & sail (she's thinking of taking them up again so they'd make an ideal activity date). She likes to cook and enertain. She sounds fantastic!

What is she looking for?

HJ needs a man who can keep up with her. If you're ideal evening is the pub and the TV then she's not for you, but if you can accompany her and entertain her, and if you share any of her interests then she'd love to hear from you. She's ready to share her life with an caring and active partner.

If you would like to know more then register here or login to Love Horse^® here.