This is another of the dreamy dream horse jobs for horse enthusiasts because it means being paid to ride. While it encompasses a wide variety of different types of employment, there is a lot of hands-on experience with the animals themselves along with a potential for adventure.

What You Need

Above all a love of horses is a must to work as a mounted guide, but that’s not where it ends. Regardless of where you are and who you work for, this position requires being alert, understanding body language (both horse and rider) and a strong work ethic. In smaller establishments guides may also be responsible for varying degrees of horse care and maintenance in addition to tours. Stables offer a range of riding packages to their guests and guides can expect to be in the saddle anywhere from an hour to eight in the saddle.
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Perhaps truly the dreamy dream job for horse lovers, running a guest ranch requires a bit more elbow grease than romantic notion may provide. While a fun and exciting job, running a successful guest ranch requires a high level of organization and experience.

What You Need

This is a management position, so contact with the animals will be more limited in larger establishments. More than a love of the animal and lifestyle, this position requires a thorough knowledge of the hospitality industry and even strong speaking and marketing skills. Great communication skills are essential, as is basic health and field training.
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This is perhaps one of the rarer horse jobs out there, but one that can provide a great degree of hands on experience with the animals themselves. Summer camps vary from place to place and so will the number and quality of horses involved.

What You Need

While this position varies, there are a few things that will remain constant. Understanding of horse care/ safety is an important part, but so is child care/ safety – not to mention the combination of the two. For this fact alone camp counselors require a cool head along with knowledge of both horse and child. In addition they may also be required knowledge of local geography, flora and fauna. Due to its very nature, this can be a physically demanding job.

A strong constitution, great communication and quick hands are essential in becoming a good horse camp counselor.

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This horse job is quite different from many of the rest as it offers a chance for people to work independently. While often a controversial position to hold, carriage drivers can be found in most urban cities around the globe.

What You Need

While this position provides plenty of hands-on time with horses, it also requires a great deal of interaction with the general public. Obviously rules and laws vary by country and city, so what is expected of drivers will change from place to place. The nature of the job (independent contractor in a city, working for a stable, etc.) will demand flexibility. By far the most important part of the job is caring for an animal which is likely to be working very far outside their comfort zone.
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