No Horsing Around: Here's What it Takes to Work in the Equine Industry

If you love working with horses then perhaps it’s time for you to consider turning your passion into a sustainable and rewarding profession by pursuing a career in the equine industry.

Why Work In The Horse Industry?

Presently, almost half a million people work with horses in some capacity across the United States. The equine industry offers a variety of career options that can range from being a secretary at a horse show office, to doing genetics research in a lab, horse packing in the mountains, or teaching children how to ride at a local horse camp.

Careers in the equine industry can also be tailored to make the most of any motivated person’s talents, interests, and skills.

As a result of joining the equine industry, horse lovers have found a way to turn a fulfilling lifestyle into a financially secure career.

What Skills Do I Need?

In order to stand out in the job market, potential equine professionals need much more than technical skills to succeed in this field. There are many essential skills that are also required to work in the equine industry. Some of these skills include:

• A strong work ethic
• A professional attitude
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Basic math skills
• Problem solving skills
• Risk management skills
• Ability to work alone or within a group
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays
• Physical agility
• Physical strength

What Skills Do I Need To Learn?

Students who enroll in any of Hocking College’s equine programs can expect to obtain the following knowledge and skillset:

General Horse Knowledge

• Anatomy and conformation, common terminology, horse and pony breeds, and history of the modern horse.
• General healthcare, hoof care, nutrition, and feed management.
• Proper care for horses with a variety of physiological needs.
• How to properly manage an equine facility.

Horsemanship Skills

• Handling of horses in various stages of their training.
• Foundational riding skills inside and outside of the arena.
• Proper use, maintenance, and repair of riding equipment.
• Safety procedures when working with horses.

Professional and Business Skills

• Resume building, interview protocol, networking, and professional conduct.
• On-the-job training at an internship for college credit.
• Start-up and operation of an equine-related business, including creating a feasibility plan.
• Risk management and safety of equine businesses and facilities.

If you’re interested in enrolling in one of Hocking College’s equine programs, contact the Hocking College Admissions Office at admissions@hocking.edu or by phone at (740) 753-7050.