Career Limbo

Me and Sissy

I am an equine science student at the best school in the country, I have been riding for 16 years, I have never known at all what I have wanted to do…. Except know that it might involve horses. Now, knowing that I have limited in this local sanctuary called college, I am really doing some soul searching and trying to figure out what I want to do with my life- with one parameter, horses. What a broad world this actually is, basically anything you would want to do in the “real world” you can find to do in the equine industry.




When I first came up with this seemingly ludicrous idea to attend college as an equine science student I was unsure myself of what that really entailed, I had really only been around lesson barns and a limited breeding establishment. For people who only see boarding facilities, people keeping horses as a hobby, or the typical backyard pet, the horse industry is virtually nonexistent. With that mindset the idea of making a living off of horses and the industry is akin to trying to make a living from being a philosophy major. It is very disheartening to be told over and over from parents, friends and my respected teachers and trainers that I could never do it. Sometimes it is so frustrating to attempt to explain what I have learned in 3 years to someone in the matter of a conversation. It is very sad to see college students who are just brilliant using their degrees to work in a coffee shop or making pizzas. This is the way the entire economy is today, because there are such limited jobs out there, and such an overload of willing workers, the fresh faced graduates have no chance of getting a job. We obviously do not have the experience of people who have been in the workforce so we take the jobs nobody wants. I am absolutely terrified of becoming one of those when I am just out of school. It is the same story I see over and over and it just is so upsetting to see. Most people I know are using this economy as a chance to go back to school, and I say, why the heck not? If you have no chance of getting a decent job, you might as well get more education.



As previously mentioned I have done so much looking and I thought I had settled on journalism, but now a job in equine assisted psychotherapy really has sparked my interest. I love the idea of using my experience in teaching horseback riding lessons to help people who are struggling. I have seen my friends absolutely blossom under the influence of horses. It has been an incredible journey to watch a close friend get her confidence and her control back, another to find her reason for living. Horses personally have gotten me though breakups, depression in high school, and so many interfamily battles. Recently horses have been there for me though the stresses of college and the consistency of having them depend on me is often the only constant in my life. I love paralleling how horses behave to everyday lives, horses are the best teachers I have ever encountered, they are patient, forgiving, loving and sensitive. If horses are as affective as they say they are in helping people suffering through depression, addiction, eating disorders, family issues… then I would like to be a part of helping people put their lives in line. In doing this search I am realizing the direction I may be taking in my education and finally might be able to have some sort of a career goal. For the first time in a long time I am excited about my education and where it might be able to take me.

**In the interest of finding a growing community of bloggers on here I will contiune to update this page as well.**
**Thank you for my one follower on this site, you are much appreciated, as of 3:45 on wordpess my blog has had 45 veiws! I am impressed!

New men, new horse trends

Happy Sunday! I am very excited to have brewed myself a cup of tea, do not have to be at the barn for another few hours and have the opportunity to sit and read some blogs and finally get another post up for me.

At a barn that is largely dominated by female college students you would think that any man would love to join this horsey (female) community. Of course, like any community run by women, there is dramatics and there is gossip, but this barn has highly attractive, smart, wonderful girls who ride there. Enter: the change. Very recently we have received several inquiries for beginning men, aged in their 20s to start riding with us. And these are neither cowboys, nor kids who rode in their past, they are fresh faced beginners! The first was a guy willing to do hard labor in return for lessons, I put him on a big draft cross and off they went. This guy was not suited for english- but he had the greatest attitude and listened extremely well. Next, in response to a working add, we got another hard working individual who cleans and feeds for us.

Now in the last couple of months we have had 2 new beginning guys who are ready to try riding, brand new. I say good for them, but I also say, why? I have never seen so many guys willing to take lessons, and following their newfound passion so quickly! It is so awesome. For years I have just conceded to the fact that i needed to find a good natured guy who would just tolerate my riding and my horses, but in meeting these fellows, and the guys I am dating, perhaps there is hope!
I must admit, I met my wonderful boyfriend at the barn, although he was not there to ride, he was helping a mutual friend to the morning feed. This man is truly wonderful, not only does he come and help me do my chores, but he rides with me and is doing great!

The horse industry is following an interesting new trend, there is still a very big division (speaking in broad terms) from the east coast to the west, english to western. Cowboys and hunters. In the west it is still based on the cowboy way of life, western. Using your horse to sort, brand, ride the fences all of the activities from our past. This has always been a mans' world, the Quarter horse industry, second only to the other male dominated industry, Thoroughbreds, is very much a man dominated industry. But yet, when I look at my equine science classrooms, the classes producing the new leaders, it is 98% women, and a rare man. Furthermore, the entire industry is seeing a switch to middle aged women working with horses, very different from the past. It is very interesting to hear the "old timers" the true bow legged, deep voiced cowboys talk about the changes they are seeing. They are trying to figure out how the horse industry is going to be able to support itself with the addition of this new niche. I found it interesting even looking through blogs and seeing that only two, out of dozens I looked at was written by a man, although I suppose women are more prone to blogging than males are.

I am still extremely impressed these guys took it upon themselves to join in our wonderful lifelong passions, I have the privilege of working with them and trying to teach them how to really love the sport. Hopefully we can keep them going and try to keep a balance in the horse industry.