1. Careers in Equine Science
EQ Sci 1 & Fall 2016

2. Primary careers
Involves both direct and daily contact with horses

3. Direct careers Veterinarian
Required to have a doctorate degree from college. (NCSU is the only school that offers a degree in veterinary medicine)
diagnose & treat horses for disease prevention and to maintain horse health.

4. Direct careers
Mounted Policeman (Made famous by Royal Canadian Mounted Police – Canada’s FBI)
College education in law enforcement - supplemented by education/experience in horse care and behavior.
Often assist with crowd control.

5. Direct careers Horse Breeder
Education must include a strong emphasis on equine reproductive physiology and equine behavior.
Example: breeding systems as well as artificial insemination

6. Direct careers Riding Instructor
Must understand horse and human behavior.
Able to effectively communicate equestrian principles.
Trainer
Must understand horse behavior and have patience.
Must relate well to horses in order to overcome the fears of horses.

7. Direct careers Stable Manager
Must enjoy working outside and in direct contact with horses.
Must incorporate a knowledge of feeding and caring for horse
Farrier
Cares for horses’ feet, including trimming and shoeing.
Usually travels from farm to farm

8. Supplies & support services
those jobs that provide contact with horses, but not on a daily basis. Rather these jobs provide things needed by those in primary careers.

9. Supplies & Support services
Commercial Feed Manufacturer
Must understand the digestive physiology of horses.
Must have a knowledge of feeds and nutritional values of supplements.
Horse Trailer Designer
Little direct contact with horses.
Must satisfy the demands/concerns of owners

10. Supplies & support services
Tack and Equipment Maker
Must understand the role that equipment plays in successful equestrian activity.
Work more closely with riders/owners than horses.
Extension Horse Specialist
Advanced college degree required
Assist horse owners and professionals with problems of horse health and management

11. Supplies & support services
College Professor
Advanced doctorate degree
Provide instruction to students preparing for a career with an equine science major or minor.

12. Horse show/rodeo careers
offer direct contact with horses - require more travel
Ringmaster
Provides direction for the orderly flow of a horse show.
Often this job is done on a part-time and volunteer basis.
Rodeo Cowboy/Cowgirl
He/she must be skilled in riding.
Often travels from place to place.

13. Racehorse industry
blend of primary career and those jobs on show/rodeo circuit that may be in direct contact with horses on a ranch in addition to traveling on a race circuit

14. Racehorse industry
Jockey/Exercise Riders may be a primary career on a ranch or on the show/rodeo circuit.
Competition is keen.
Positions are often secured through apprenticeships.

15. Racehorse industry Racing Chemist (Drug Inspector)
Must be able to analyze blood test taken from horses.
Have high moral values to insure credibility
Handicapper
Must understand the pair-mutual system.
Should be fair and ethical in handicapping of horses

16. Recreational careers
organize the direct sporting activities and trail rides for hire.
Field Master
Directs hunts and horse activities for sports and recreation.
Must be responsible to insure the safety of all participants.

17. Basic skills needed
Reading skills - interpret written information, identify relevant details, and learn from text.
Writing skills - recordkeeping, creating documents, and communication. (example: reporter)
Arithmetic skills - compute with numbers and then apply the computations
determine feed conversion ratios, growth rates, dosage of medicines, etc.

18. Basic skills needed
Listening skills - comprehend and carry out directives that foster good working relationships.
Speaking skills - relay ideas and information to coworkers and other interested parties.
(examples: mounted policeman, riding instructor, extension horse specialists)
Thinking skills - creatively develop new ideas, solve problems, and reason to some up with solutions.

19. Basic skills needed
Interpersonal skills - successfully work and function with other employees.
Technology skills - apply functions of the latest technology to learn information and apply systems.

20. Basic skills needed
Responsibility - good work ethic, high standards of attendance, and optimism in starting and finishing tasks.
Self-esteem and self-management skills - positive view of themselves that allows them to demonstrate understanding, friendliness, adaptability, empathy, and politeness.

21. Specific requirements

22. People who work with rodeos and horse shows often are bi-vocational
People who work with rodeos and horse shows often are bi-vocational. (They have another job during the week).
Mobility is a major prerequisite for the racehorse industry.
People in the industry travel around the country
Often jobs are seasonal based on the length of the racing season.

23. Must be willing to volunteer - horse industry thrives on volunteer participation.
Make contacts with those in the equine industry.
Gain invaluable experience.
Develop skill through “hands on” activities

24. The most important consideration in finding a career in the equine industry is not to limit objectives.
May have to work into a horse industry career gradually.
Diversify to learn additional job skills
Becoming familiar and subscribing to trade journals can help you find career opportunities.