Working with animals can teach you that empathy and intelligence don’t have to be expressed in words, but actions are just enough. Horses are beautiful and smart beings that can prove your loyalty and unconditional respect, so being able to work with them is a true gift. Horse riding is a passion for many people, who simply decide one day to hop on the back of a horse with an instructor by their side and immediately fall in love with this unparalleled hobby.
Once you’ve achieved a certain level of knowledge, and you feel like you know enough about beautiful animals, you might want to turn your passion into a profession. There are some important steps to consider to achieve your goal. First of all, you should consider that becoming a professional in this field requires reshaping your lifestyle completely, as you will most likely dedicate most of your time to horses. So, if you are willing to get closer to your dream career, in this article, we are going to unveil the main aspects and some tips to consider for this profession:
The benefits of working with horses
Working with horses comes with many benefits for your psychological and physical well-being. First of all, horse riding is an activity that can boost your fitness level, and you can improve your strength and overall body condition significantly; you will strengthen your core and other muscles in your legs, have a better posture and have greater flexibility.
From a mental point of view, working with horses can significantly reduce stress levels, promoting a relaxed state of mind. Also, the empathy and delicacy of horses often help you achieve mindfulness, as you can feel less anxious about the surroundings, take a break from the ordinary, and absorb the positive energy of the innocent animal. Many therapy techniques involve horses. For example, experts use beautiful animals to cure depression, PTSD, autism, and other mental conditions.
Types of careers to consider
When you choose to work with horses, it would be best to have a clear goal in mind regarding the career you want. There are many things you can do in this field and bring them to a professional level. You can train in multiple disciplines and experiment with them to identify the one you love most, and it’s more adaptable to your skills. For example, here are some ideas:
- Professional rider: you have to train a lot and you have to participate in shows, events, and races. You need proper training from a professional instructor, and you have to know horse dressage.
- Jockey: You can specialise in horse racing, and you need the same skills as a professional rider, focusing on intense training and dressage.
- Trainer: You can prepare the horses for competitions, train them in specific areas such as obstacles and jumping, and you can train the rider as well.
- Groom: you can provide daily care for the horses, such as feeding, tacking, and grooming.
- Breeder: You can run your own business and decide to breed horses for specific disciplines and skills.
Embrace a healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is crucial to become a professional in this field. Horse riding requires a lot of physical effort, so to achieve great results for your performance, it’s essential to embrace a healthy diet to give your body all the nutrients and vitamins it needs for proper functioning and strength. Also, sleep is just as important as food because you have to be well-rested in order to improve your level of concentration and work better with the horse.
Training is crucial
Of course, to achieve your dream career, it is crucial to train intensely. You need to improve your skills in every discipline, find a trainer who is patient with you and the horse and stick with an exact schedule for more discipline. It would be best to train multiple times a week if you are willing to bring your passion to a professional level and stick to a routine that enables you to achieve your goals long-term and become a professional rider for a living.
You should find a discipline that serves your needs most and stick to it, but as a beginner, it would also be a great idea to experiment with various specializations and make the most of your activity by trying to develop new skills monthly.
Prioritise safety
Safety is crucial for every horse rider. It’s essential to understand that the horse is a good animal, but he can get scared and hit you, which causes severe injuries; you can fall from his back, or you can get hurt when trying a new skill. So, you absolutely need to take safety measures to prevent incidents, wear safety gear, and have proper knowledge about the behaviour of the animal. In case you get hurt in an equitation centre, you should know that the experts at https://www.personalinjuryclaimsuk.org.uk/ can help you get compensated for the injuries. So, to minimize the impact of a fall or a harmful situation, you should be fully equipped with gear that protects the most important body parts. Of course, you should train often and be patient with yourself and your horse.
Join a community of riders
The best thing about becoming a rider is that there is a big community of people ready to welcome you. Horse riders are like a family, so make sure you get in touch with other professionals to exchange your ideas, and experience, and train together to improve your skills.
The bottom line
We hope this article inspired you to turn your passion into a profession and that horse riding will become a significant part of your life that brings you satisfaction and joy. Remember Training, a healthy lifestyle, determination and a positive mindset are what it takes to become the best.
