Job Oppertunities

Ave Sodalis

Hey, after getting back my Leaving Cert results today, I didn't quite get what I was hoping for. Having to rethink my choices, I'm just wondering what jobs are out there with horses, except instructing and groom?
I was going to do Equine Physio but unless the points drop, I haven't got it so any other ideas are welcome. Please bare in mind though that I can't jump straight into livery yards or anything that requires me keeping a horse because funds are a bit too low for that!
Thanks in advance

convert

First of all, congratualtions on surviving the LC! Sorry to hear that you're not as happy with your results as you'd hope, but please remember, despite the all the hype, and everyone telling you that it will determine your future, the LC is not the be all and end all. Yes, it will deterine what you do in the next year, whether you repeat, go on to university, IT or under take a PLC course, you can do whatever you want to do. It just may not be in the manner you had hoped initially.

I'm not too familiar with equine physio, but is it offered in Northern Ireland or the UK? Would studying there be an option (ok, it may be next year, but you could use this year to gain experience)?

There are other equine related courses out there which could give you other options? Apart from UL, there are other insititutions which offer equine science degrees and give you good qualifications.

There are also some equine PLC courses (or some equivalent). I remember reading about one in Naas which my friend did and they found it really useful - and they didn't instruct or become a groom.

Would you considerdoing some sort of ag course and then specialise in an equine-related field? It might be an option?

If you really have your heart set on equine physio, would you consider repeating your LC, if it was feasible?

I'd also recommend having a chat to your guidance counsellor in school? I know some are better than others, but they still should be able to give you some advice.

But whatever you decide to do, please take your time to consider all your options fully before making a decision. Don't do anything in the heat of the moment. And don't knock taking a year out; as long as you use it to do something worthwhile - such as gaining work experience or undertaking a short term course, etc. - it is not a wasted year.

Best of luck!

Ave Sodalis

convert wrote: »

First of all, congratualtions on surviving the LC! Sorry to hear that you're not as happy with your results as you'd hope, but please remember, despite the all the hype, and everyone telling you that it will determine your future, the LC is not the be all and end all. Yes, it will deterine what you do in the next year, whether you repeat, go on to university, IT or under take a PLC course, you can do whatever you want to do. It just may not be in the manner you had hoped initially.

I'm not too familiar with equine physio, but is it offered in Northern Ireland or the UK? Would studying there be an option (ok, it may be next year, but you could use this year to gain experience)?

I actually had to do either human physio, vet nursing or equine science before I got onto equine physio but yeah, it's in England.

There are other equine related courses out there which could give you other options? Apart from UL, there are other insititutions which offer equine science degrees and give you good qualifications.

Yeah, I've applied to UL and UCD. Couldn't seem to find it anywhere else but I've fallen short of both requirements for last year anyway. I'm still holding onto a little bit of hope the points drop by at least 20

There are also some equine PLC courses (or some equivalent). I remember reading about one in Naas which my friend did and they found it really useful - and they didn't instruct or become a groom.

I might look into that

If you really have your heart set on equine physio, would you consider repeating your LC, if it was feasible?

Not if I was guareenteed to win the lotto afterward! Haha, it was difficult enough the first time around and besides, a lot of the courses have changed this year. English, Irish, Maths, Home Ec...

I'd also recommend having a chat to your guidance counsellor in school? I know some are better than others, but they still should be able to give you some advice.

Yeah, I'm having a chat with her on Monday. She isn't very good as she's caring for 150 or so Leaving Certs this year but she might be able to help.

But whatever you decide to do, please take your time to consider all your options fully before making a decision. Don't do anything in the heat of the moment. And don't knock taking a year out; as long as you use it to do something worthwhile - such as gaining work experience or undertaking a short term course, etc. - it is not a wasted year.

Taking a year out mightn't be financially feasible due to grant cuts. The truth is, if the grants are cut anymore, I wouldn't be able to afford it, even if I worked hard for a year

Thanks for the advice though convert! Much appreciated

JennaJameson

sup_dude wrote: »

Having to rethink my choices, I'm just wondering what jobs are out there with horses, except instructing and groom?

There are horse training and breeding and stud management courses in Kildalton College in Kilkenny. Both courses are a year long, and are very cheap, relatively speaking. It's just over €1843 for the horse breeding and training course, if you need accommodation on site. If you don't, the course only costs €130.

The stud management certificate comes after the horse breeding and training one, and involves work experience as well as course work, so it would be great hands-on experience. There would be general horse care involved, I imagine, but it wouldn't be competition grooming, and there wouldn't be instruction involved.

Racing Academy also offers courses in various aspects of the horse racing industry, that don't involve teaching or grooming, such as horse training, training to be a jockey etc.

Equine massage would be another option, although I don't know about any courses in that area.

There is also a two year certificate in equine business in AIT.

I would also look at studying physiotherapy in Scotland, if I were you. Their course fees are the same for Irish students as for Scottish ones, so a lot of people go there to study to avoid paying fees here, and the qualification is the same, though their entry requirements may be different.

Even if you have no interest in becoming a groom or instructor, the BHS exams are always good to have. You can do the horse riding, care and knowledge exams, and just not progress to the teaching examinations. It would show employers that you are a capable rider and you understand the basics of horse care, which is pretty essential to any hands-on job with horses.

Other ideas that are springing to mind; equine dentistry, equine veterinary nursing, saddler, farrier, nutrition...