Career and Educational Opportunities in the Horse Industry This document offers a unique compilation of industry resources and information helpful in determining where your career in horses may be found. The American Horse Council and the American Youth Horse Council have joined efforts to provide this information of available listings from industry leaders all over the United States to assist youths and adults in pursuit of careers in the horse industry. When beginning your search, be resourceful! There is no end to the opportunities the horse industry has to offer. Working in the industry does not always mean working exclusively with horses. Many jobs, such as an accountant, attorney, artist, clothes designer, journalist, computer programmer, etc. can be tailored to your interests. In making your future plans consider a broad education that may be adapted later to your choice of career. CONSIDERATIONS IN PLANNING YOUR CAREER Be prepared to volunteer: The horse industry thrives on volunteer participation that can provide the vehicle to introduce and get you involved in many aspects of horse-related activities. Often good experience can be gained by offering to work for free. This experience in turn can open doors and help you establish valuable contacts. Start at the local level: Gain experience through your community, school and social connections. Utilize a network of people you are familiar with and expand through regional and state contacts. Check the classifieds in trade publications: Frequently excellent opportunities are advertised here. Check not only equine publications but look into sports-related magazines and associations, and club and organizational newsletters. Talk to professionals: Learn from those that are involved. Find out where they studied, what they recommend as good training, and the work they sought. You never know who will provide an aspect you've overlooked. Don't limit your objectives: Most importantly, if you can't get into the horse industry right away, generalize your scope, such as learning the principles of large animal care, then specialize in horses at a later date. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Choose the desired level of contact with horses (left column) and the amount of education required (right column), and then locate that combination in the list following the table for potential career paths.   Contact Level   Education Required I. Primary careers requiring daily contact with horses and/or horse owners Category A DVM, PhD or professional terminal degree from recognized college or university II. Support positions requiring daily contact with horses and/or horse owners Category B Master's degree from a recognized college or university III. Careers with horse shows/rodeos Category C Baccalaureate degree from a recognized college or university IV. Careers in the racing industry Category D One or two years beyond high school V. Careers related to recreation/hunting/pleasure Category E High school diploma I. Primary careers requiring daily contact with horses    A. Veterinarian    D. Veterinary Technician Extension Horse Specialist Transportation Specialist Extension Animal Specialist Trainer Geneticist Stable Manager/Foreman Horse Feed Development Specialist Riding Instructor/Coach Animal Nutritionist Veterinarian's Assistant    B. College Professor Breeder Pedigree Analyst Auctioneer    C. County Agriculture Agent Horse-Buyer Youth Director Farrier-Corrective Shoeing Bloodstock Agent Identification Maker College Instructor Stallion Manager Rehabilitation Therapist Broodmare Manager Clinician Foaling Crewman Farm/Ranch Manager Stunt Rider or Double in Movies    D. Technical School Teacher Horse Drawn or Mounted Tour Guide Artificial Inseminator II. Support positions without daily contact with horses    A. Dean, College of Agriculture Motion Picture, TV, Video or    B. Architect      Slide-series Producer Agricultural Engineer Land Consultant/Farm Real Estate Attorney    D. Film-distribution Specialist Accountant Clothing Designer    C. High School Agriculture Teacher Film Editor Agricultural Equipment Design Blood Typing Specialist      Engineer Boot Manufacturer Agricultural Researcher Advertising Copywriter Actuary (Insurance) Commercial Artist Director of Public Relations Equestrian Portrait/Illustrator Executive Secretary of Horse- Advertising Sales Manager      oriented Organization Publication Circulation Manager Association Executive Fire-prevention Specialist Field Secretary First Aid Personnel Lobbyist Program Coordinator State Director of Identification Reporter/Journalist      Services Motion Picture/TV Writer, Director of Technical School      Technician, Director, Camera Tailor/Clothing Buyer      Crew, Research Commercial Feed Manufacturer Horse Trailer Designer Laboratory Technician Pest Control Specialist Director of Advertising    E. Office Personnel in an Equine      (newspapers, magazines, etc.)      Organization Author/Fiction Concession Operator Author/Non-fiction, instructional Feed Store Operator      material Publications Distributor Sales of Timing Equipment Tack and Equipment Maker Sales of Agricultural Equipment Printer Pharmaceutical Sales Carpenter (stables/tack and Insurance Sales      equestrian equipment) Advertising Space Buyer Leather Dealer Bookkeeper Auditor Typesetter Internal Auditor of Equestrian Advertising Salesman      Organization Wholesale Tack Sales Horsefeed Wholesaler Wholesale Clothing Sales Insurance Investigator Wholesale Feed Sales Agricultural and Research Economist Guard Museum Curator Horse Hair Products Producer Trade Press Editor      (Wigs) Business Manager of Horse Film-processing Specialist      Publication Painter Publisher of Horse Books III. Careers with horse shows and rodeos    A. Horse Show Veterinarian Wheelman    C. Timing Equipment Engineer    E. Horse Show Secretary Security Rodeo Secretary    D. Horse Show Manager Rodeo Stock Contractor Horse Show Receptionist Director of Parking Fair or Exposition Manager Jump Builder Inspector (DPQ or Designated Ring Master      Qualified Inspector) Rodeo Clown Drug Inspector Premium List Technician Technical Representative Rodeo Cowboy Technical Delegate (TD) Rodeo Pick-up Rider Judge Announcer Steward Program Manager Course Designer/Jump Designer Crewmember Test Designer Jump Crewmember Publicity Director Rodeo Laborer Lighting Director Gate Person Photographer Ticket Seller Wheelwright Organist IV. Careers in the racing industry    A. Track Veterinarian Mutuels Manager    C. Racing Chemist Marketing and Publicity Judge    E. Track Maintenance Timing Equipment Engineer Parking Attendant Racing Steward Mutuel Clerk Racing Secretary Paddock Judge Handicapper Office Staff Director of Mutuels Money Room Personnel Security Stable Superintendent Racing Commissioner Patrol Judge Totalisator Company Personnel Starter Mutuel-Machine Maintenance Clocker    D. Publicity Staff Grounds Manager Turf Club Director Track Photographer Maitre d'Hotel Film or TV Patrol Operator Technical Representative Horse Identifier Track Manager Announcer Comptroller Program Director Horseman's Bookkeeper Facility Maintenance Engineer Trainer Hot Walker Jockey Exercise Rider Jockey Valet Jockey's Room Attendant Driver Outrider Jockey's Attendant V. Careers related to recreation, hunting, and pleasure    C. Trail Engineer Professional Huntsman Park and Recreation Administrator Whipper-in Recreation Planner Kennelman    D. Guest Ranch Host/Hostess    E. Packer/Guide Parade Organizer Reservations Clerk Manager Country Club Trail Crew Field Master Circus Rider EQUINE VETERINARY SCHOOLS Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, 205/826-4546 California-Davis, University of, Davis, CA 95616, 916-752-1360 Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523, 303/491-7051 Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, 607/253-3000 Florida, University of, Gainesville, FL 36201, 904/392-3261 Georgia, University of, Athens, GA 30602, 404/452-3461 Illinois, University of, Urbana, IL 61801, 217/333-2760 Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, 515/294-1250 Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, 913/532-5660 Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, 504/346-3200 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, 517/355-6509 Minnesota, University of, St. Paul, MN 55108, 612/624-9227 Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, 601/325-3432 Missouri, University of, Columbia, MO 65211, 314/882-2121 North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, 919/829-4210 Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, 614/292-8727 Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, 405/624-6648 Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, 503/754-2098 Pennsylvania, University of, Kennett Square, PA 19104, 215/898-8841 Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, 317-494-7608> Tennessee, University of, Knoxville, TN 37901, 615/974-7262 Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, 409/845-5051 Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, 617/839-5302 Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, 205/727-8174 Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 703/961-7666 Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, 509/335-9515 Wisconsin, University of, Madison, WI 53706, 608/263-6716 EQUINE ORGANIZATIONS American Association of Equine Practitioners, 110 West Vine St., Lexington, KY 40507,606/233-0147 National 4-H Council, 7100 Connecticut Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, 301/961-2945 American Farriers Association, 4089 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511, 606/233-7411 North American Riding For the Handicapped Association, P.O. Box 33150, Denver, CO 80233, 303/452-1212 American Horse Publications, c/o National Horse Center, 4059 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511, 606/231-8865 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, 101 Pro Rodeo Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80919, 719/593-8840 American Horse Racing Federation, 1700 K St., NW, Washington, DC 20006, 202/296-4031 United States Pony Clubs, Inc., 4071 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511-8462, 606/254-7669 American Horse Shows Association, 220 E. 42nd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10017, 212/972-2472 American Veterinary Medical Association, 930 Meacham Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60196, 812/885-8070 Western and English Manufacturers Association, 2011 Eye St., NW, #600, Washington, DC 20006, 202/347-1932 Future Farmers of America, P.O. Box 15160, Alexandria, VA 22309, 703/360-3600 INTERCOLLEGIATE INFORMATION Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, Hollow Road, P.O. Box 741, Stoney Brook, NY 11790,516/751-2803 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, 1815 Portland Ave., #3, Walla Walla, WA 99362, 509/529-4402 National Horse Judging Team Coaches Association (postal address changes regularly)