Working student or college student?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sunshine
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Sunshine

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I'd appreciate it if only kind, equestrian professionals could answer this one, and yes, I know it's very hard to be in the horse business....

I want to become a Professional trainer/rider/instructor and manage my own barn. I have been told by many of my instructors that there is no point in going to college; I should be a working student which gives more experience to someone on my track. Currently I have a position for this summer with my instructor who has connections within the eventing world. I am very interested in eventing (main passion is dressage but I love what little cross country I've done and my jumping) and have the ability to go straight into internships after this summer with top riders, but here's the problem. My parents want me to get a degree in equine studies/science. I understand my parent's worries and have concerns myself about jumping right in (although I really want to). I've always thought experience was what counts the most in the horse world. In your experience do you know of any rider who needed a degree to be successful?
 
You don't always need a degree to be successful. But it never hurts to get some education, even if you take classes on animal sciences so you have a little more knowledge. It is really about what you want to do, if you feel you don't need to get a degree than don't waste your time. But if you have doubts, it never hurts to take some classes and if you find that it isn't working for you, then stop. I agree with your parents however because having such a degree could really help your knowledge about horses, especially if you want to be a trainer/rider/instructor. You might be surprised out how much you learn and how much it could help you in the future.
 
If I were you, I'd go the college route first and try to get a degree in equine management. Experience matters a lot more but the degree is good to have for "backup" in case you get hurt and can't ride anymore or things go wrong.

At an equine college, you'll learn a lot more about healthcare and nutrition for horses than you will learn in person. People have lots of differing opinions about horse care but a college can provide you with the facts supported by evidence.
 
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