Possible Careers

If you want a job in the equine industry, your choices are not limited to being a rider or a trainer. There are more than 250 careers listed below and every one of them can be considered a “horsey job.” Some of them are office jobs that do not require a four-year degree; however, you will typically earn a higher salary if you have a degree. The same is true of many “hands-on” positions—you will find that many employers are willing to accept a degree in place of a certain number of years of experience.

Here is a list of books that cover the various horse careers for more in depth information:
Careers with Horses: The Comprehensive Guide to Finding Your Dream Job by Vicki Hogue-Davies, The Complete Guide to Horse Careers by Sue Reynolds , The Career Guide to the Horse Industry by Theodore A. Landers and 50 Careers With Horses: From Accountant to Wrangler by Bonnie Kreitler .

Accountant: Keeps accounts for a farm or a horse-related business or has a private practice.
Acupuncturist: Practices alternative healing for horses.
Administrator of Equestrian Program: Manages the equine program for a school.
Advertising Copywriter: Writes the text for advertisements.
Advertising Director: Manages the advertising office and approves all ads.
Advertising Sales Manager: Manages the sales force in the advertising office.
Advertising Salesperson: Sells ad space to clients.
Agricultural Engineer: Designs and builds stables, water systems, feed systems, etc.
Alternative/Eastern Medicine Provider: Provides holistic care for horses, such as acupuncture, acupressure, herbal remedies, etc.
Animal Behaviorist: Studies and researches equine behavior.
Animal Nutritionist: Works for a food distributor; ensures products are nutritionally sound and teaches nutrition classes.
Announcer: Announces at shows, races, and events.
Architect: Designs buildings.
Artificial Inseminator: Performs artificial insemination under supervision of vet or breeding manager.
AI Technician: Assists artificial inseminator.
Artist, Commercial/Creative: Draws, paints, sculpts, etc.
Attorney: Specializes in equine law and/or works for a horse-related business.
Auction Clerk: Handles paperwork at an auction house.
Auctioneer: Announces at auctions.
Auction Ring Assistant: Handles horses in auction ring.
Auditor, Equine Organization: Attends to organization’s financial records.
Author: Writes fiction and/or nonfiction books on horses.
Award Manufacturer/Salesperson: Makes and sells trophies, ribbons, etc. for competitions.
Backstretch Worker: Works on the backstretch of a racetrack.
Barn Manager/Assistant: Manages the day-to-day operations at a barn and hires staff.
Bedding Supplier: Supplies bedding to stores and large ranches.
Blacksmith: Makes horseshoes and other items, usually from iron.
Blanket Cleaning & Repair Serviceperson: Cleans and repairs horse blankets.
Bloodstock Agent: Buys and sells horses for clients.
Blood Typing Specialist: Types blood to aid in horse identification.
Boarding Barn Manager/Assistant: Manages the day-to-day operations at a boarding barn and hires staff.
Bookkeeper: Keeps the financial books for a barn, business, or company.
Boot Manufacturer: Makes riding boots.
Braider: Braids the manes and tails of horses for competitions, sales, and races.
Brand Inspector: Inspects brands on horses for identification purposes and to settle legal issues.
Breed Association Official: Handles leadership duties in a breed association.
Breeding Farm Staff: Cares for stallions, mares, and foals.
Breeding Manager/Assistant: Manages the stallions, mares, and foals, and hires staff.
Broodmare Manager/Assistant: Manages the mares and foals.
Business Manager, Magazine: Manages the business side of the magazine.
Camp Equestrian Director: Designs and runs the equestrian program at a camp.
Caretaker: Lives on-site to take care of property and animals at stables, farms, and estates.
Carpenter: Makes items from wood and/or handles construction/repair of buildings.
Carriage Driver: Drives a carriage for weddings, shows, and other special events.
Chemist: Analyzes blood, urine, and saliva for illegal substances.
Chiropractor: Adjusts horses to relieve pain or correct problems.
Circulation Manager, Magazine: Manages the circulation department in a magazine.
Clerk of Course: Maintains all paperwork and certificates for racehorses.
Clerk of Scales: Weighs-in jockeys at a race.
Clinician: Teaches clinics in a particular field of expertise.
Clocker: Clocks workouts at racetracks and provides information to “scratch sheet” editor.
Clothing Designer/Tailor: Designs and tailors equestrian clothing.
Clothing Salesperson: Sells equestrian clothing to resellers or directly to consumers.
Collections Manager of a Museum or Library: Manages and maintains an equine-oriented collection.
College Instructor/University Professor of Equestrian Science: Teaches courses in equine subjects.
Computer Programmer: Designs and writes horse-related computer programs.
Computer Screensaver Designer: Designs horse-related screensavers.
Concession Operator: Operates concession stands at shows, fairs, and events.
Condition-Book Technician: Records data into a horse condition book.
Conditioning Rider: Rides horses and maintains their level of conditioning.
Country Club Manager: Manages the day-to-day operations at a country club.
Course Designer: Designs cross-country, hunter/jumper, or trail courses for competition.
Crewman/Props: Sets up courses for competitions.
Dentist: Maintains dental health of the horse.
Director of Public Relations: Handles public relations duties at a company or association.
Driver, Harness: Races harness horses or drives carriages and buggies.
Drugging Inspector: Inspects horses that may have been drugged.
Drug/Pharmaceutical Salesperson: Sells drugs/pharmaceuticals for horses.
Dude or Guest Ranch Host/Hostess: Greets and entertains guests at dude or guest ranch.
Dude or Guest Ranch Manager: Manages the day-to-day operations.
Dude Ranch Wrangler: Manages the horses and equestrian staff at a dude ranch.
Editor: Edits books and magazines.
Equine Appraiser: Appraises horse’s worth for insurance companies and purchases.
Equine Consultant: Provides consultant services in a particular area of expertise.
Estate Manager: Manages the day-to-day operations of an estate.
Executive Secretary or Director of Equine Organization: Manages the organization.
Exercise Rider: Exercises and conditions racehorses.
Exhibitor: Exhibits horses or horse products at shows, events, and fairs.
Expert Witness: Testifies in court or in depositions.
Extension Horse Specialist: Oversees horse activities for extension department of a university.
Farm Maintenance: Maintains and repairs equipment and facilities of a farm.
Farm Office Staff: Works in a farm’s office, handling filing, answering phones, etc.
Farm Sitter: Stays on farm to take care of property and animals while owners are away.
Farm Vet: Works for farm as on-site vet.
Farrier: Trims and shoes horses.
Feed Company Representative: Represents the feed company to farms and to resellers.
Feed Manufacturer: Manufactures feed to be distributed to farms and resellers.
Feed Salesperson: Sells feed to farms and to resellers.
Field Secretary for Equine Organization: Represents the organization’s interests at events.
Film Editor/Distribution Specialist: Edits and distributes horse-oriented commercials, programs, and movies.
Financial Advisor: Provides financial advice to companies or individuals.
First Aid Personnel: Provides first aid at events for horses or equestrians.
Foaling Crew Personnel: Takes care of mares in labor and their foals.
4-H Instructor/Director: Instructs and directs 4-H groups.
Gardener: Maintains landscaping at horse facilities.
Geneticist: Studies equine genetics.
Gift Shop Manager: Manages the day-to-day operations and employees at an equine gift shop.
Groom, General: Grooms, tacks-up, and takes care of horses on a day-to-day basis at a stable.
Groom, Race: Takes care of, grooms, and tacks-up racehorses.
Groom, Show: Takes care of, grooms, and tacks-up show horses.
Grounds Maintenance: Maintains and repairs show, race, and stable grounds.
Handicapper: Handicaps (determines how much weight the horse will carry) race horses for races.
Harness Driver: Drives harness-racing horses.
Harness Maker: Designs and makes harness gear.
Hay Salesperson/Distributor: Sells and distributes hay to farms or to resellers.
Horse-Drawn Tour Guide: Leads tours in a carriage.
Horse-and-Buggy Driver: Drives buggies for weddings, tours, etc.
Horse Feed Development Specialist: Develops various feeds.
Horse Feed Wholesale Distributor: Sells feed to resellers.
Horsehair Products Producer: Uses horsehair to create items for sale (blankets, ropes, etc.).
Horse Identifier: Identifies horses before classes at horse shows.
Horse Show Secretary: Manages the paperwork in the office and in the announcer’s booth at horse shows.
Horse Show Steward: Monitors activities at horse shows to prevent illegal practices.
Horse Show Vet: Provides on-site vet services at a show.
Horse Trader: Buys and sells horses.
Hot Walker: Walks and cools down racehorses after workouts and races.
Humane Society Official: Investigates animal cruelty complaints.
Identification File Clerk: Maintains files on horses for shows and races.
Identifier: Checks the lip tattoos of racehorses against registration papers.
Illustrator for Equine Publications: Creates illustrations for horse publications.
Insurance Actuary: Calculates insurance rates and premiums.
Insurance Agent: Maintains the insurance policy and handles all questions from clients.
Insurance Investigator: Investigates insurance claims.
Insurance Salesperson: Sells insurance for horses.
Instructor: Teaches people how to ride or drive.
Jewelry Designer/Salesperson: Designs, makes, and sells equine-oriented jewelry.
Jockey: Rides horses in races.
Jockey Room Custodian: Maintains the jockey’s locker room.
Jockey’s Agent: Solicits horses for a particular jockey to ride.
Jockey Valet: Assists jockeys in preparing for a race.
Judge: Evaluates participants in horse shows and events.
Jump Crew: Puts up and takes down jumps at shows and events.
Jump Equipment Manufacturer: Makes and distributes the equipment to make jumps.
Landscape Architect: Designs the landscaping for horse facilities.
Landscaper: Handles landscaping tasks at horse facilities.
Leather Dealer: Distributes leather directly to saddlers.
Lobbyist: Talks to key politicians about issues on behalf of an organization.
Loper: Warms up Western horses and maintains their conditioning.
Maintenance Rider: Maintains level of fitness in assigned horses.
Marketing Director of Equestrian Program: Handles marketing (advertising) for an equine program.
Massage Therapist: Provides massage therapy for horses.
Merchandise Retailer: Sells equine items to consumers.
Model Horse Designer: Designs and paints model horses.
Motion Pictures Worker: Works in the motion picture business with equines.
Mounted Police Officer: Works as a police officer or deputy sheriff in the mounted unit.
Mutuals Manager: Manages the betting in horse racing.
Nanny/Housekeeper: Oversees the children and/or the house at an equestrian estate.
Night Watch/Foaling Manager: Patrols farms at night and monitors the barns during foaling season.
Official Race Timer: Maintains and manages the automatic timer at horse races.
Outrider: Leads and follows the post parade before races and assists jockeys that are in trouble.
Packer/Guide: Takes clients on wilderness camping trips on mules or on horseback.
Paddock Judge: Supervises the paddock area before a race.
Paddock Master: Manages and calls classes to the entry gate at horse shows and events.
Painter: Paints portraits for customers.
Parade Organizer: Organizes the order and manner in which a parade proceeds.
Paymaster of Purses: Handles all purses, entry fees, claiming money, and jockey fees at a racetrack.
Pedigree Analyst: Analyzes pedigrees for purposes of breeding and competition.
Pedigree Researcher: Researches the pedigrees of horses for breeding purposes.
Photo Finish Operator: Photographs the finish line at a racetrack.
Photographer: Takes pictures of horses for clients, shows, magazines, etc.
Polo Clinician: Gives clinics on the sport of polo.
Polo Coach: Coaches (instructs and trains) polo teams.
Polo Field Caretaker: Takes care of the polo grounds.
Polo Instructor: Teaches people the sport of polo.
Polo Trainer: Trains horses for polo.
Pony Rider: Leads racehorses in the post parade.
Professional Huntsman: Organizes and leads foxhunts.
Producer, Film/Video: Handles the financial responsibility for equine films.
Publications Distributor: Researches markets and distributes equine publications to suitable markets.
Publicity Agent/Assistant: Designs publicity campaigns.
Publisher: Publishes books and magazines.
Racing Chemist: Checks blood, urine, and saliva for illegal substances.
Racing Commissioner: Oversees horse racing in a particular state.
Racing Forms & Programs Distributor: Oversees the printing of racing programs.
Racing Manager: Manages the overall operation at the track.
Racing Secretary: Oversees the day-to-day operation at the track.
Racing Steward: Monitors racing practices to prevent illegal activities.
Ranch Hand: Takes care of horses and other livestock on ranches and farms.
Ranch Manager/Assistant: Manages the day-to-day operations on a ranch or farm.
Real Estate Agent: Specializes in equine-oriented real estate.
Rehabilitation Therapist: Works with horses to help them recover after injuries.
Reporter/Journalist: Reports on equine-related stories.
Rescue Worker/Agency Representative: Rescues horses from auctions and other harmful situations.
Ribbon/Trophy Designer: Designs and creates ribbons and trophies.
Rider, Circus: Rides horses under saddle, performs vaulting maneuvers, and works horses at liberty in a circus.
Rider, Dressage: Rides dressage horses in competitions.
Rider, Endurance: Competes in endurance events.
Rider, English: Rides in general equitation and hunter competitions.
Rider, Hunter: Rides in hunter competitions.
Rider, Jumper: Rides in jumper competitions.
Rider, Stunt/Trick: Rides trick horses and performs stunts for movies, shows, and fairs.
Rider, Western: Rides in Western competitions.
Rodeo Producer: Oversees the rodeo and handles the hiring of all staff.
Rodeo Staff: Works a rodeo event.
Rodeo Secretary: Handles the paperwork at a rodeo.
Rodeo Stock Contractor: Supplies the stock (cows and horses) for a rodeo.
Saddler: Designs, makes, and repairs horse tack.
Schooling Rider: Rides horses and maintains their level of training for lessons and/or competition.
Secretary of Racing Commissioner: Represents and carries out the policies of the racing commissioner.
Security: Handles the security and safety of horses and patrons.
Show Manager/Assistant: Manages the overall operation of a show.
Sign Maker: Designs and makes equine-oriented banners and signs.
Software Developer: Designs and develops computer programs.
Soring Inspector: Inspects horses at shows for illegal soring.
Stable Manager/Assistant: Manages the day-to-day operations at a stable and hires staff.
Stable Owner: Owns a stable, farm, or ranch.
Stallion Handler: Handles everyday care of stallions.
Starter: Leads racehorses into the starting gate and ensures that the start of the race is fair.
State Vet: Enforces animal protection laws and helps prevent animal disease from spreading.
Summer Camp Staff Member: Works with children and horses.
Tack & Equipment Designer: Designs tack and equine-oriented equipment.
Tack Company Representative: Represents a tack company to the public and to resellers.
Tack Salesperson: Sells tack to customers and to resellers.
Tack Shop Owner: Owns and operates a tack store.
Tax Specialist: Specializes in tax laws for horses.
Teacher/Professor: Teaches equine courses in schools.
Television Announcer: Announces equestrian events for sports networks.
Theme Park Horse Manager: Oversees the equine-related operations at a theme park.
Therapeutic Riding Instructor: Teaches handicapped children how to ride.
Therapeutic Riding Program Manager: Directs and manages the program.
Ticket Seller: Sells tickets for horse events.
Timing Equipment Salesperson: Sells timing equipment for horse events.
Track Security Staff: Maintains security and control on race day and patrols track areas.
Track Vet: Provides on-site vet services at a racetrack.
Trail Engineer: Designs and maintains trails to keep erosion and damage at a minimum.
Trail Guide: Leads trail rides.
Trailer Design, Manufacture, and Salesperson: Designs, manufactures, and sells horse trailers.
Trainer, Race: Trains racehorses.
Trainer, Show: Trains show horses.
Transportation Specialist: Transports horses.
Travel Agent: Specializes in finding and booking reservations for equine-oriented vacations.
Turf Club Director: Manages and oversees the operations of a race club.
Veterinarian: Takes care of equine medical needs.
Veterinarian Assistant: Assists vets in the field and at the office.
Veterinarian Lab Tech: Assists vets in the laboratory.
Videographer: Creates videos of horses for companies or as a freelancer.
Video Race Patrol: Videotapes horse races.
Web Page Designer: Designs equine-oriented web sites.
Whipper-In: Handles control and direction of dogs during foxhunts.
Wild Horse Preservationist: Works with Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or wild horse organizations to protect and preserve wild horses.
Writer: Writes articles on equine-related subjects and events.
Youth Director for Horse-Oriented Organization: Oversees the youth programs in the organization.