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There are a wide range of professions that can employ a stunt rider position, including everything from big Hollywood films, to stunt acts to traveling shows.
A challenging job for even the most athletic person, this is a position which requires a rock hard constitution and bones made of rubber. Beyond the obvious, a stunt rider needs a solid relationship with a well-trained animal and hours and hours of practice falling off a horse.
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Often a starting off point for ambitions jockeys-to-be, a groom is one of the entry level jobs working with horses. Despite this fact, it takes a lot of grit and a serious knowledge of horses to do a great job.
The groom wears a number of hats during a normal workday and many tasks will fall under their command. However this is a position that benefits from a solid knowledge of horses, strong communication skills and a teamwork ethic.
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An essential member of any track, the farrier has a very demanding job. From regular trims to emergency services they have their job cut out for them at all hours of the day.
This is a position which benefits from a physical strength, the ability to work with multiple animals, and a strong knowledge of horse anatomy.
At the track it is also important that the farrier have a firm understanding of the Thoroughbred temperament as well as the rigors of track work.
Solid communication skills are also a must, track blacksmiths don’t just deal with horses, they work with a whole host of different types of people & track staff.
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For those who love photography & horses this is the perfect career, but it’s not as easy as it looks. This is a sport that definitely requires some experience with fast-moving subjects and the high energy of the Thoroughbred.
This is a job that requires a strong commitment to the sport, not to mention that taking pictures of moving animals takes dedication to the craft. Generally photographers work on a freelance basis, accepting contracts for racetracks, trainers & owners.
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Perhaps one of the most vital jobs in all of racing, the starting gate crew carries the burden of getting a field full of highly strung young horses into tiny spaces.
This is a position which benefits from a deep understanding of horse (Thoroughbred in particular) behavior, physical strength & agility and a love of the sport. This can be a dangerous job and this position may have a higher percentage of track injuries.
This is a great position for someone who wants a lot of hands on time with the animals and has a calm demeanor.
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Perhaps one of the most favored & sought after jobs at the track is that of outrider. A mounted position this one offers a great deal of contact with the animals & the responsibility that comes along with it.
This is a position which benefits from a great deal of track knowledge, superb riding skills and keen senses. Not only are they mounted, but they are responsible for making sure the race horses make it to the gate safely.
Often outriders use their own mounts, allowing them to be comfortable in the saddle and able to turn their attention elsewhere. A calm demeanor, physical strength and a tireless attitude are all key elements of a successful outrider.
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A hot walker doesn’t necessarily sound like an important job, but it is. Race horses work very hard & cooling them properly after a race or a workout is essential. In smaller stables this duty is carried out by grooms, however at large facilities there is a dedicated position for hot walkers
This is a position that benefits from a solid ability to handle highly strung horses on the ground, a deep knowledge of horses and a head for teamwork. This job may also include various stable duties such as grooming, medicating, etc.
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We’ve seen in the past few weeks a sample of the various jobs out there that involve working with horses. Horses are a global industry which provides horse lovers with a vast network of different jobs & careers to choose from.
This list is far from complete, but I thought they were important to share again. Starting next Monday we will visit more jobs at the track in detail and I’ll be adding them to this page for quick reference.
Exercise Rider | Jockey | Jockey Valet | Racing Driver | Track Trainer | Gate Crew | Track Judge | Track Vet | Track Manger
The horse industry is a large one & that means there is also a large selection of jobs working with horses to choose from.
Breeding stables may also employ additional stable personnel or health professionals.
Breeding & reproduction are important parts of the horse industry, especially for show horses, race horses & breeds that are in danger of extinction.
Breeding Manager | Breeder | Stallion Manager | Broodmare Manger | Foaling Attendant | Artificial Breeding Technician | Bloodstock Agent
Stay tuned, next week we will take a look at jobs from the track & the week after we will be looking at specific jobs in detail again.
There is a wide variety of industries within the horse world & that means there is also a selection of jobs working with horses to choose from.
Once you get into the details, it’s amazing just how many different options horse loving job hunters have. Each section of the horse industry has a list of necessary positions.
Here are some of the jobs I’ve already covered, this week the focus is on veterinary & medical jobs with horses.
Veterinarian | Vet Assistant | Vet Tech | Geneticist | Rehabilitation Therapist | Massage Therapist | Equine Nutrition Specialist
Be sure to check out horse jobs at the stable and stay tuned for jobs within the breeding industry.