I started riding at age 6, eventing at age 12 and by the time I was 19 I had won the NAJYRC CCI*, CCI** and had begun running Advanced, winning my first, on a horse I produced. I'd also been named to what was then the "Developing Riders" squad. At that age I thought I was right on track to do what I wanted to do in this business. Compete at the four star level, make a US team or several, go to the Olympics, run my own business. I had the talent, the passion and the dedication. I had supportive, although not wealthy, parents. I had superb coaching and a wonderful program thanks to the help of Mike Huber. What went wrong?
To make it (really make it) as a horse pro, you need money.
If your goal is to run young horses around the lower levels, have a random upper level horse here or there, run an average training program out of someone else's barn and make just enough money to survive - More power to you. But that's not what everyone dreams of as a little girl... Is it? No. We all wanted a string of horses contending for US teams, a farm to call our own and then yes, perhaps just enough money to survive on. If that's what you want and you intend to only work in the horse industry you'll need to figure out a way to get the financial backing necessary to support your dreams. And you'll need to be lucky.
The horse business is endless hours of hard work and total personal compliance.
Everyone either knows upfront or finds out quickly that 80 hour works weeks aren't an accident, the horses break and so do we. Sometimes you will thoroughly enjoy the work and think how lucky you are to be behind a set of ears, outside on a glorious day or learning something fascinating about a sport that we all love so passionately. But sometimes that passion feels faded by fatigue, burnout or aching body parts. Sometimes the horses you love, the competitions you can't wait to ride at and the every day victories we all do this for are muddled with stress and anxiety. Because this is your job and how you make your living. It's so much more than your passion or your dream. This business requires a lifelong and total commitment. You will make your best friends here, your soul mates, your kindred spirits. But what do you want out of life? Something well rounded? It can be done but it's not easy. This isn't just your business it's your universe. The work, the hours, the single-mindedness, the shelter of the eventing world. For many people that might be a completely acceptable existence. I don't think that's all I want anymore.
The facility and the clients - What you need to know.
Here in the US horse professionals make money by teaching, training and selling horses. What people really want to do is ride their string and compete. What we have to do is ride other people's horses (sometimes quality, more often than not, average animals at best) and teach a lot lessons and/or clinics to survive. Let me make this clear - You NEED your own facility to make your business happen (again that takes money). I've been told this by several people including a couple of trusted horse professionals/friends and its very much the truth. In order to provide the correct care, program management, and keep the clients happy, and in order for your business to not only survive but thrive, you need to own your own place. You will meet some amazing people in this world and you will have some wonderful clients. You will meet a select few in this business who set a wonderful example of a farm owner, a trainer and/or a manager. You will have clients, human and horse, that make you love your job and you'll find yourself beaming with pride at their accomplishments, big or small. But you should also know, you will meet many more people who disappoint you, frustrate you and send you home at the end of the day questioning yourself and your actions. You won't leave this job at the office. My most recent barn owner experience from Texas set me on my current path and essentially broke my spirit for the business. I hope none of you can ever relate.
(Photo Credit: Juli Horn)
Anyone who's been in this industry for a while has a plethora of disconcerting stories about typical business practices that did not end typically. We all know someone who bought a horse that was lame, crazy or completely unsuitable thanks to some smooth moves on the part of an unethical seller. We've all heard about unskilled farriers or vets harming horses without suffering any liability for their actions. I have heard too many stories, and personally experienced too many employment situations gone wrong, for one lifetime. This business should not be slave labor. Plain and simple. Fortunately, there are truly good people in the horse business, I just find them few and far between. For example, Missy and Jess Ransehousen, who own and operate Blue Hill Farm in Coatesville, PA, literally rescued me (my truck with all of my belongings, my dog, my horse in my trailer) by taking me in, offering me a house, a job and a tremendous amount of kindness when I was stranded in an unknown area jobless and homeless after one such failed employment promise. Keep in mind this was even after I turned them down on their job offer just three weeks earlier. They've then been flexible with me so I could finish my degree and they've not only improved my riding but restored some of my faith. The grace they displayed is something I have not witnessed before and may never see again.
(Photo Credits: Lisa Thomas, Mid-Atlantic Equestrian Services)
The degree of success you achieve in this business is primarily dependent on money and/or luck with the addition of talent and dedication.
Harsh, I know. It pains me to write those words and my younger self is crying in frustration. But sadly, its true. Better that people know, and if they so choose, work towards their goals from that angle, rather then rely on the fact that if they are good enough, work hard enough, commit enough of themselves to the sport, it'll all just happen. It doesn't work like that.
You can love the sport and the life without loving the business.
Having said all of that, I really want to say that I love this sport, but perhaps not this business. I love the horses, the competition, the dedication required, my friends, my adventures and I love what eventing has done for my life. This sport has made me who I am and continue to be. It's made me brave, daring and adventurous - If you know me well you'll know none of those qualities describe me outside of eventing. The business, however, has made me colder, more jaded and less hopeful. I think many young horse professionals will struggle at some point with the thought that if they are not putting 110% of themselves into the sport (and in their minds, also into the business) then there is shame in that. Not working hard enough. Not dedicated enough. That's the kind of people we are, right? Hard workers. A little obsessive. Passionate. While I work towards completing my masters in the next year and contemplate what real-world job I'm going to have, I'm starting to believe that you can commit to the sport with the same amount of dedication and passion but in a different way. And perhaps that different way will have a more positive effect on your wellbeing, and therefore your riding, than you ever thought possible.
-Jess
