Would You Like To Find A Job Working With Equines?

If you are anything like Robert Botine Cunningham-Graham, Scottish horseman, writer, and adventurer, then you know that there is no heaven without horses. If you eat, sleep, and breathe horses, then why not parlay all your time and effort into a career in the horse industry? Can you imagine a better way to spend your days?

Surveys done over the last several years show that there are 7 million horses in the United States today. And according to American Horse Council figures, the horse industry supports more than 1.4 million full-time jobs. There are a variety of careers in the horse industry, from hands-on jobs like large-animal veterinarian to jobs that support the industry, like feed and supplement distributor. There are jobs in breeding, showing, health, education, product manufacturing, research, recreation, and service industries to name just a few that come to mind. And one of these areas is most likely just right for you!

So, how do you find a job in the horse industry that is right for you? Well, before you start randomly sending out resumes to every horse-related employer you know of, you need to spend some time considering the type of career you want. In many cases, you'll have to come up with a plan that will lead you to that career. As wonderful as it is that you want to be a large animal veterinary technician, no one is going to hire you without the right credentials. In other words, like most worthwhile pursuits in life, you are going to have to spend a little time and effort to reach your goals.

So, are you ready? Answer these few simple questions and you'll be on your way to finding an equine career that is right for you:

*** What do I want out of a horse career? Do you want daily contact with horses, or are you interested in working in a supporting field without daily contact? There are pros and cons to both. A supporting role may offer you a higher income, regular hours, more job stability, and better benefits, but a hands-on career gives you flexibility and the ability to work around your favorite animals every day. What is more important to you? Think very seriously about your own interests, abilities, and personality. It won't hurt to spend a few minutes writing down why you want to work with horses.

*** What experience and education do I currently have? There is no teacher like experience, but is it more important than education in the horse industry? That depends on the job. For those seeking skilled hands-on positions like trainers, barn managers, and riding instructors, the more time you've spent around horses the better. Other choices, such as equine vet, writer, public relations expert, or lawyer require a college education and additional training.

*** What experience and education am I willing to get to achieve my career goals? If you require experience and education to break into a career in the horse industry, you need to have a good understanding of how much time and money it is going to cost to reach your goals. Do you have the time and money to spare, and are you willing to do so?

*** What income do I need? Most people work in the horse industry because their love of horses supercedes their love of money. Many hands-on jobs provide minimal pay and benefits just for the pleasure of being around horses. Salaries improve with higher-level hands on jobs, and support jobs often pay the most and offer the best benefits. Before you make a commitment to a career, know how much money you need to live. Then do some research to find out if your career can realistically support you.

*** Where should I enter the industry in order to have a good chance of meeting my goal? Whatever career track you are pursuing, enter the industry in a job that you can handle with your present skills and experience. Getting in over your head may not only prevent you from advancing, it is dangerous! Once you've figured out your entry level, you can work your way up as you gain experience.

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Equine jobs seem to fit only those who love, breathe and think about horses most of the day. It is uncommon for people who "don't care much for horses" to spend the whole day in the company of these wonderful animals. There are many avenues of equine employment as horses not only need vets, jockeys, grooms and riders, they also need farm and stable managers and people to look after their foals.

If you are interested in equine employment, depending on the job, you may need an education in equine science. If you are looking for hands on job, you don't need much of an education. All you need is experience in handling horses and a love for equines. However if you are looking to become a vet, a lawyer or a researcher in equine science, you will have to pursue an educational degree in an established educational institution.

Experience with horses often helps in finding equine employment:

Many equine jobs require extensive practical "hands on" training along with your education. It is an added bonus to your resume if you have a few years experience working around and handling horses. You can consider taking up volunteer jobs at the local barn or mucking stalls so that you gain additional experience before applying for a grooming job for example. OR- start as a stable hand, and work your way up within the same stable.

The internet is today one of the best sources of information on equine employment. You can use search engines to look up equine jobs in your locality, or surrounding areas. In addition to various job listing websites such as "monster.com", you should consider looking for equine employment in general equine sites. Equine-jobs.com is a new site specifically created to connect equine employers with equine job seekers, which will have equine job listings soon.

You will find lots of prospective employers through general equine sites. Although they may not actually advertise job openings, you can find many listings for horse related jobs which you can use as leads while seeking equine employment.

Mingling with people at a race track can bring you equine jobs:

Besides using the internet, you will find that equine employment is best availed through networking and word of mouth. This means that if you have relatives or friends working equine jobs, you may be able to join their establishment on their recommendations and your resume.

You can also try attending horse shows where you can talk to people about equine jobs. It is best to visit places like race tracks in the morning, when the horses are exercised. If you are in the right place at the right time, you may find someone who needs help in their barn or stable.

Make it a point to periodically check the bulletin boards in the local feed store and tack shop; there may be some adverts of people looking for help with their horses. Read equine newsletters and magazines as you may find equine employment openings here, including ads for equine jobs in barns, farms and riding schools.

Selling equine related products as a form of equine employment:

Besides all of the above, there are also peripheral businesses that are related to horses. Some of these do not include actual hands on work with equines. For example horse racing websites that require designers and writers to provide content for the website. There are also small businesses and organizations that sell or distribute products and services related to the equine industry. Think tack shops, grooming supplies, feed stores and more.

With so many avenues for equine employment, you are sure to find something that fits you perfectly. Just ensure that you are flexible in your employment options and be ready to work at any equine job you get. Once you enter the sphere of equine employment, you will find many more openings and additional avenues for you to pursue. Best of luck finding the equine job of your dreams!

Article by Equine-Jobs.com. For more information on finding an equine job, equine employment, or a whole new equine career, please see our websites at: http://www.equine-jobs.com, http://www.equine-jobs.weebly.com, and http://www.squidoo.com/equinejobs

One of the many branches of animal sciences is equine science where the nutrition, reproduction, exercise philosophy, rehabilitation, behavior and welfare of the horse are taught to the interested student. Even the interaction between horse and rider is covered in equine science.

Once the student completes a course in equine science, the knowledge is used for improving the management, welfare and performance of both equine athlete and leisure horses.

There are many colleges and universities providing degree programs in equine science; and the reason students pursue this course are so that they can seek employment as trained professionals of the horse industry.

Equine science is a compilation of information from professionals

You just have to visit the internet to find out which college or university in your vicinity teaches you equine science. Once you locate probable colleges, find out the terms of their courses, the fees that have to be paid for the course and if there are any other formalities to be met to join the course.

Once this is all done, you can approach the educational institution to pursue your course in equine science. There are many parts to equine science; where its introduction involves an overview of the horse industry. This involves teaching on the anatomy, genetics, physiology, nutrition and diseases of horses.

Equine science is basically taught in a non-conventional format where there is not one teacher or textbook but more of a compilation of information and resources from numerous professionals. With this format, students are provided information on both conventional and non-conventional forms of equine science as there is no single source with answers in equine science.

You can pursue advanced courses or special studies in equine science too

Equine evaluation is a systematic approach in equine science with lessons on visual inspection and chances to speak in public towards verbal defence in your ideas and opinions. In addition to this, this class includes research areas of equine biomechanics and gait analysis. If you want to learn more about gait analysis and equine biomechanics, you have to pursue a course in Advanced Equine Evaluation.

You get to actually handle and train horses in equine training when you get to study the science of behavior of horses. Once the horses are trained in this class, the horses will be ready to be offered at public auction.

An advanced course in equine science is Horse Production and Management where you have to pass courses in various courses like Animal Breeding and Genetics, Animal Physiology and Anatomy and Animal Nutrition and Animal Reproductive Physiology to gain admission to the course.

If interested, you can also take up Livestock Merchandising to organize and conduct a livestock auction. Animals in this class are sold to the public, while the generated proceeds are used for supporting equine and beef cattle programs.

In addition to all this, you can also undertake undergraduate research projects, independent studies and special studies on horse related topics of interest and explore the topic extensively. This type of education will prepare you for the equine job of your dreams!

Article by Equine-Jobs.com. For more information on finding an equine job, equine employment, or a whole new equine career, please see our websites at: http://www.equine-jobs.com and http://www.equine-jobs.weebly.com

Equine Dentistry: in Focus

Here are some facts about the cutting edge of equine dentistry. You may think horse dentistry is a new fad, but there is nothing new under the sun. When our livelihoods depended on equines, horse dentistry was a lively profession for practitioners in every county. Well-known in Europe in the fourteenth century, the observation of horse's teeth goes back at least two thousand years. For the past couple of centuries, Europeans have had a particularly strong interest in horse's teeth. The tools which were being made by the end of the nineteenth century would still not be out of place in a modern horse dentist's set of tools  although diamond technology has brought advances in cutting, burring and grinding tools, which uncannily grind tooth enamel while leaving softer tissues such as the inside of cheeks unscathed on contact. There are currently about 25 horse dentistry tool manufacturers in the U.S.

So, what does an equine dentist do, and which horses could benefit from their practices? An equine dentist basically equilibrates a horse's teeth in a number of ways. Horses in the natural state do not usually require dentistry, the same as they do not require a furrier. Free-roaming horses eat a lot of hard plants with a high woody content, as well as grasses with silicates. These are abrasive substances, which wear down the incisors as the horse tears at the grass stalks. Hay-fed horses do not need to use their incisors in the same way, with the result that these do not get worn down and eventually get so long that the horse cannot close its mouth sufficiently to use the molars to grind its food.

All horses could benefit from the services of an equine dentist, although only a small proportion receives them. Even if your vet checks your horses teeth every half year, the chances are very high that there are points on the outside of the upper premolars and molars which are causing either constant discomfort or digging ulcerations in the cheeks. A thorough oral examination requires the use of a full-mouth speculum and a mild sedative or relaxant.

The most discerning owners tend to call in a specialized dentist as standard procedure, because it can improve a horse's performance dramatically and prolong active life for up to a decade. Better food uptake means better performance so in order to improve the horse's digestion regular dental work is a must. Surprisingly, a significant proportion of horses suffer from tooth maladies which can affect the way they take the bit. A tendency to resist turning in a particular direction is, for example, a strong indication that the horse has some kind of problem on that side of its mouth. The horse will surely act up especially if turning is uncomfortable. It may be simply a question of getting the bit to sit more comfortably to cause an immediate change in the behavior of the horse.

Many horses have persistent problems which cause uneven eating, distortions of facial muscle development and a build-up of pressure, which in turn can lead to constant headaches. Usually during the first session of dental treatment even under mild sedation, the effects can be dramatic and the horse experiences relief from this. Have you ever seen a horse smile?

Friction can arise between dental practitioners and standard vets, who have very different approaches to dental problems. Typically, a vet is called in to file down teeth when they become long, but tends to do so in a very uniform manner, which does not take into account the natural variations in the horse's own way of grinding, or the angles of the teeth necessary for comfortable eating. Incorrect filing can radically change the angle of impact and effectively prevent the horse from eating.

There is unfortunately no accredited certification program for equine dentistry through veterinary organizations. Ironically, only veterinary practitioners are legally empowered to practice equine dentistry, although many are not capable of the most basic form of it. Vets sometimes act in conjunction with a highly specialized and trained lay-dentist. The equine dentists themselves are a rare breed. Because of the problems they are up against in terms of training programs and chances to practice freely, they tend to be fierce animal lovers with a high commitment to their chosen profession and an almost evangelical passion to spread the word. There is a worldwide network of practitioners, who are in constant consultation for problem-solving and sharing new techniques and findings. A visit from and equine dentist can be as rewarding an experience for the owner as it is for the horse.

Author: Jerry Carpos | Posted: 23-10-2007
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/equine-dentistry-in-focus-243897.html

Author: Michael

Averett University is located in Danville, Virginia. This college offers an equine science degree that can be worked into to almost any other major the school has to offer. The degree is also available as a minor to any major so that students are able to continue their training while attending college. The program provides a large knowledge base in horsemanship and is a gateway into the equine industry.

The program offers a bachelor's degree in equestrian studies as well as a minor. The college has a firm foundation in horsemanship and students learn to exude professionalism. Those students that are interested in management positions in the equine industry will benefit from the business program that the school has to offer. The equestrian center is one of the best facilities on the East Coast. With over 100 acres the school features an indoor arena, dressage and jumping arenas, round pens and a cross-country course. The university also offers horses for training, however, students must bring their own saddle and grooming supplies.

Averett gives students the opportunity to attend professional clinics, workshops and seminars. They are also able to allow students to participate in competitions at no cost. The university is affiliated with the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) and invites many guest clinicians to speak and hold workshops. Many of these guests are Olympic level trainers. Students are able to make excellent professional connections within this program. The university also offers dressage and combined training for those students that are interested in competing.

Students who are interested in gaining hands on experience will enjoy the internship opportunities that are available to them. They are able to work in:

* Dressage barns

* Training barns

* Breeding facilities

* Camps

* Tack Stores

* Dressage

* Show Management

* Equine certification programs

* Teaching beginning jumping

Graduates of the program have many career options available to them including:

* Small business ownership/entrepreneurship

* Tourism

* Sales

* Pharmacy

* Tack

* Feed

* Equipment

* Preparatory for Large Animal Veterinarian

* Preparatory for USDF and CT certification exam

* Instructor/trainer

* Competition rider/trainer

* Equine journalism

Recent graduates have attended veterinarian school, are instructing and training, managing boarding facilities, web master from national equine organizations and therapeutic riding instructors.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/averett-university-equine-studies-101296.html