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 boon
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Location: North Carolina | OK so I'm going to hopefully being going to LCC (Lamar Community College) and enter their horse training management and equine business management courses next year. What I'm asking is where would be the best place to live and be successful after completing the courses? I live in North Carolina right now and while I love it here I don't know how big the market would be for what I'm wanting to do. I want to (eventually) be training, breeding, selling etc. barrel horses. Where do you think I would find the most success in this area?
Thanks in advance! |
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Location: Tenn. | Not to discourage you in any way, but I know a lot of friends that I college rodeoed with that went a similar route that you are wanting to take ,by getting a degree in an equine field. Jobs are very hard to come by. My opinion would be to get a business degree or something similar, breeding and training horses does not require a college education. The best education you can get is through observing and working at a well established breeding and training facility. While you are in college see if you can interen at some local equine facilities around you that have breeding programs, train horses, etc. Then once you have finished school move to Texas or Oklahoma, those places are full of barrel racers. Just know that it is going to take time to build up a reputation and trust before people want to send you their horses to train. While you are getting settled you can fall back on that business degree and get a job that will help pay your bills until you are able to support yourself fully through breeding and training barrel horses. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
 
| RaschPerformanceQHS - 2016-02-25 5:48 PM
Not to discourage you in any way, but I know a lot of friends that I college rodeoed with that went a similar route that you are wanting to take ,by getting a degree in an equine field. Jobs are very hard to come by. My opinion would be to get a business degree or something similar, breeding and training horses does not require a college education. The best education you can get is through observing and working at a well established breeding and training facility. While you are in college see if you can interen at some local equine facilities around you that have breeding programs, train horses, etc. Then once you have finished school move to Texas or Oklahoma, those places are full of barrel racers. Just know that it is going to take time to build up a reputation and trust before people want to send you their horses to train. While you are getting settled you can fall back on that business degree and get a job that will help pay your bills until you are able to support yourself fully through breeding and training barrel horses.
This is REALLY good advice! |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
 
Location: Phoenix | I agree--that is good advice. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 808
| I went to Lamar and did the whole Equine Business Management and Horse Training and Management. I interned with one of the best cowhorse trainers in the country. Know where it got me?!? Pretty much nowhere lol.
Mind you 10 years after I graduated I now am the assistant manager to one the largest equine breeding facilities in the state but my degrees did not get me here at all.
I learned more from my internship than I did the 2 years at Lamar. Don't get me wrong, I love JJ, and the crew there but there are 49 other students there. It's hard to get that 1 on 1 connection.
I learned a lot with the colt starting, and they show you how to put a pretty good handle on but as far as finishing one there is a lot left to be desired. Like I said, I learned 10x more from my 6 month internship then I did 2 years at Lamar, and I had a 4.0 average so it wasn't like I wasn't paying attention in class or slacking.
If training horses is what you REALLY want to do. Just skip the classes and go straight to an internship. I sent out my internship letter to Sandy Collier, Ted Robinson, and Al Dunning along with some references and all 3 accepted me. Getting in with a trainer is not hard. It's not always fun. You spend a lot of time cleaning stalls, grooming, saddling, and loping. I was basically a "free" loper.
Most lopers I know get free housing, and around $1000/1200 a month, and if you get in with the right trainer they will teach you everything because they don't want you screwing up their colts or finished horses. If they can get you to ride like them they can essentially bring in more horses etc.
This is just my two cents since I've been there, done that. Would I do it again...no. |
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | I will never forget the advice I got from Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky. They didn't care if you had the fanciest equine degree, you still started at the bottom with a pitchfork. That being said, I would look into a degree that can carry you. The equine industry is tough right now. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 808
| TwistedK - 2016-02-26 6:01 AM
I will never forget the advice I got from Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky. They didn't care if you had the fanciest equine degree, you still started at the bottom with a pitchfork. That being said, I would look into a degree that can carry you. The equine industry is tough right now.
Exactly! My degree didn't start me off as the assistant manager, I started as the stall cleaner and worked myself on up by proving that I could do the job. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434
Location: Northwest Florida | Getting a college degree in the equine industry would make college enjoyable, but your career afterwards may be a struggle.
In this field, having a degree does not really make you more employable. Experience and reputation does. I would find a career path outside of the equine industry, that you could got to school for while working or interning at a stable or ranch. That way you are working your way towards the career you want, while simultaneously earning your back up plan degree.
Edited to answer your question! : I think that depends upon your discipline. Assuming your a barrel racer... I'll say Texas. I have friends working at race horse stables in KY though as well.
Edited by BigStarBound 2016-02-26 9:45 AM
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boon
Posts: 2
Location: North Carolina | Thanks for the advice y'all, I have a little reevaluating to do haha |
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 Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | The1CowgirlsEnvy - 2016-02-26 6:14 AM
I went to Lamar and did the whole Equine Business Management and Horse Training and Management. I interned with one of the best cowhorse trainers in the country. Know where it got me?!? Pretty much nowhere lol.
Mind you 10 years after I graduated I now am the assistant manager to one the largest equine breeding facilities in the state but my degrees did not get me here at all.
I learned more from my internship than I did the 2 years at Lamar. Don't get me wrong, I love JJ, and the crew there but there are 49 other students there. It's hard to get that 1 on 1 connection.
I learned a lot with the colt starting, and they show you how to put a pretty good handle on but as far as finishing one there is a lot left to be desired. Like I said, I learned 10x more from my 6 month internship then I did 2 years at Lamar, and I had a 4.0 average so it wasn't like I wasn't paying attention in class or slacking.
If training horses is what you REALLY want to do. Just skip the classes and go straight to an internship. I sent out my internship letter to Sandy Collier, Ted Robinson, and Al Dunning along with some references and all 3 accepted me. Getting in with a trainer is not hard. It's not always fun. You spend a lot of time cleaning stalls, grooming, saddling, and loping. I was basically a "free" loper.
Most lopers I know get free housing, and around $1000/1200 a month, and if you get in with the right trainer they will teach you everything because they don't want you screwing up their colts or finished horses. If they can get you to ride like them they can essentially bring in more horses etc.
This is just my two cents since I've been there, done that. Would I do it again...no.
Yep yep yep. Went to Lamar too and I did the HTM but now I wish I did EBM just because of the business part to spiffy up my resume. It was a good experience going there but it won't help you get a job; trust me I've tried. Aim for the stars for your intership. |
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 Thread Killer
Posts: 7545
| You've received some GREAT advice. Let me add some general advice, as a somewhat recent college grad. This is a little farther down the line, but once you have a degree in hand, remember that you're still starting from the bottom. This is a hard thing for many new grads to swallow. For most people, a degree is NOT a guaranteed job; it's a chance to get your foot in the door. Embrace that and work your tail off, no matter what it is that you're doing. Learn as much as you possibly can, too, especially in your internship.
Also, don't count yourself out of jobs that are different from what you originally planned for or wanted. I started out as a contract technical writer at my company. I took the job because I knew I needed experience in my field. Well, now I'm a quality insurance inspector and a permanent employee. Lol! :) It's not what I had in mind, but I actually enjoy it and am glad that I said yes when they asked if I'd help the QA department out. So keep an open mind, especially if you plan to work in the horse industry. |
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 The Vaccinator
Posts: 3810
Location: Slipping down the slope of old age. Boo hoo. | I always urge young folks to take business courses along with whatever degree they select -- to get a business minor or a double major with business. No matter what you do you will work for a business. The more you understand how a business works, the better your will do in your career plus it will help you with your personal finances. |
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