really want to get into horses and such...?

Question

I have always been very interested in learning how to ride horses.Just pleasure riding.Not only learn how to ride but how to handle the horse as well as care for it.So i am wondering what I should do to start this up?There is a horse stable boarding place just down the road from me and i was wondering if maybe I could ask for some type of job there?Or maybe not even a paying job.I would be willing to help around the place for free!(I am 16)
Do you think they would hire me even though I am not experienced? I guess i am just really hoping that they would take me under thier wing kinda and show me the ropes and whatnot....
should I go and see?

Thank you so much for all your positive feedback!
But now I have another question...
I am going to be leaving for the summer (about 3 months from now)so i dont know if i should ask to help right now since i will be leaving so soon,and i dont want to be rude,or leave them hanging.I would gladly still do it before summer but i dont want to inconvienence them.Should I wait till after summer?

Answer 1

~Getting involved with the barn~
You should start by taking lessons at that farm or attending camps/clinics.
Get familiar with the horses in the farm and pay close attention to everything!
Stay in touch and jump at any opportunity to be at the barn.

~Getting the job~
With out experience you probably don't have much of a chance at all of getting paid but as for volunteering you might have a chance but are more likely if you are familiar with the barn and they are familiar with you. Working at a horse farm is a great way to gain experience in handling and horse care.

~Getting into the equine world~
Ways to get involved:
*Take lessons
*Attend camps/clinics
*Join 4h or a pony club
*Lease a horse from your riding stable
*Attend horse shows
*do barn chores around the barn
*Help out at camps with the younger beginner groups
*Read lots of magazines/books on horses
*Read bulletons for upcoming events at your riding stable and local tack shop
* Go to shows or fairs just to watch and learn.

If your really serious about horses:
Look for equine programs in high school
Look for equine programs at two year colleges

~Gaining experiance~
Gaining experiance takes time. Help out at the barn as much as you can and do your best to get the most out of your riding lessons. Help younger kids and maybe try to get a job as a junior counceler at a local horse camp.
There are a lot of scholarships given for 4h if you stay involved in it.

Best Wishes!
- ~*NaTuRaLbLoNdE*~

Answer 2

If you have money (or your parents will help) you could start taking lessons. That would teach about how to ride and control a horse safely.

Or, like you said, go see what sort of jobs they had. I think a lot of barns offer lessons in exhange for working. You may be mucking out stalls (which takes very little skill), but you would be around horses, and people handling horses so you would be able to pick up on tips and information. I'm sure someone would be willing to help you learn, especially as you seem so enthusiastic about it! I know I would!

Another place to start is with books. Read books about breeds, and horse care. You can learn a lot. You can find out about different tack, and how to groom, and even first aid. I'm sure there are plenty of references online as well, I just prefer books for large amounts of reading!

Answer 3

Going to the stable for a job is an excellent idea. That is where to begin so you could learn to respect the animal and learn how to handle them on the ground before you try to ride one. They are like most other living things, each one is different. The stables will have plenty of people to teach you. Just remember while you are there, even if you think you know - they are more experienced at caring for and handling the horses and everything you could learn would only help you and your mission. I think you have a wonderful idea. Hope it works out for you.

Answer 4

This is how I started. I didn't know one end of a horse from the other and I went to a barn looking for work in exchange for lessons. At 14 years old I cleaned 22 stalls every Saturday and again on Sunday, spending my whole day at the barn, but there was no place else I'd rather be than with the horses.

I'd get a lesson a day and eventually I learned how to feed and I was doing other work besides mucking stalls. During the day I'd be taken to kids birthday parties to do pony rides or I'd spend a day at a school carnival or church fair doing pony rides, sometimes until 10:00 at night. Other days I was taken to horse shows to be a rider's groom or to help out with other show day tasks. I was eventually experienced enough to also take out trail rides.

With that first barn I learned so much about horses from cleaning and basic veterinary care, including learning the signs of colic the number 1 killer of horses, to riding and showing horses myself. I worked at that barn for over 5 years and it was one of the best learning experiences of my life.

Now I have my own horse and surprisingly know more about horses than my fellow boarders with their horses.

Answer 5

That's exactly the way I started out! I couldn't afford lessons at the time so I offered myself as a general dogs body at some local stables. I did learn a lot, some of which I later discovered to be utter nonsense, but I would warn you that you will be expected to do all the mucky jobs first!
It's a great way to get hands on experience, make friends (with horses and humans) and to see the ups and downs of being with horses.

I doubt they would be too concerned that you can only offer your help for three months. Horse people are generally nice and welcoming, particularly of anyone willing to get their hands dirty and take some of the hard work off them! If you are honest about your lack of knowledge, but demonstrate that you are eager to learn, they will be happy to help you, I'm sure!

Good luck and have lots of fun...

Answer 6

I own a horse rescue in Oklahoma and we are still in the process of getting started, but we are always looking for people like yourself who want to work with the horses in exchange for us teaching them about them, letting them ride, etc. We teach the people who come out here all the ins and outs of horse nutrition since we are constantly feeding starved horses. We also give them riding lessons, and those who want to learn about horse handling and training, we let them help break some of our younger untrained horses. I know most boarding places around here would do the same for you, so I don't see why the one by you wouldn't. The only thing is sometimes they have so many people like yourself wanting to help out, that they get overwhelmed.

Answer 7

You should go and ask, however as they sound like a business they may want someone with more experience. The people that board their horses there may not be happy with someone inexperienced looking after their horse. However as you are willing to work for free, they are alot more likely to say yes. Good luck

Answer 8

the barn i keep my horse at does this all the time. they offer 1/2 price riding lessons to people who help out with the barn chores. before i owned my horse i used to work at a barn for riding lessons, working with different kinds of horses taught my all i needed to know for when i got my own.

if the barn does take you on make sure their fair and honest to you. horse work is hard but it's so much easier if the people you work under treat you decent.

good luck!

Answer 9

Yes, go and ask them.
Most places with horses are only too glad of a helping hand here and there ( I know I am )
They may not be able to pay you but you will learn a lot and it will keep you fit !

Answer 10

Won't hurt to ask, its always nice to have another pair of hands around to help muck stalls.

You can also ask if you could work for riding lessons, then they don't have to pay you anything and you get something for the work you do.