(Last week I realized that I have learned a lot about working with horses in general in these last few weeks. With my knowladge and experience I'm now able to see things I didn't saw before. So I decided that I could share some of the tips I have learned over the last couple of years! Hope you will find it usefull!)
More and more people are going to work with horses
abroad. Some forced by financial difficulties some by a simple desire to try
something new. What it really means, whether it is for you, what to expect, where
to find a good job and how to contact prospective employers are only few things to
think and take care of before even getting in the plane. Not knowing what kind of job you want, aiming higher than you should, not knowing how to set your expectations can easaly leave you unsatisfied or even cheated.
Working abroad
brings it’s all: hard work, long hours, fun and a chance to widen your horizon.
To begin with employers are not always the kindest people, expectations are
high. Depending on the job you might have to work alone and spend long hours by
yourself or function as a part of a big team and learn to play nice with
everyone. It is also important to note that every place you work comes with a
different way of doing things, so you will have to be
open minded. Therefore multi functionality requires being able to do what is
needed at the moment from holding a broom to assisting a vet.
.
What to expect is where most of the heartache starts.
People often tend to wear pink glasses before they go. Some might think that
taking riding lessons twice a week is not much different from working as groom
six days from 7 to 5. There are people who go to work as a rider and even if
they have jumped at home 1.20 m that they will get a lot of horses to jump and
ride. Jobs vary but what remains the same is that you will always have to prove
yourself. Expect most certainly that you will have to work your way up and that
it will take time. No one just hands you his horse without testing your
abilities, commitment and willingness to learn. Bear in mind that even though
you are a good rider or groom there can always be people who just don’t like
the way you work.
The best jobs
always are the ones you can get trough connections. It is easier to know for
bought parties what to expect. But if you don’t have any contacts you can
always visit www.yardandgroom.com ! This is the best website in my eyes to find
you a job. You can search by countries, by disciplines, or some might even find
you. They offer a way to contact employer’s trough email. You can always visit
a homepages for different stables you know of and if they have free vacancies
sent them a CV. The best way to get a feeling about the job is trough phone.
You should always remember to be polite and use all the formalities. For some
it might seem self-evident but frankly there are still people who start a
conversation with “Hey you…”! Make sure your first impression is professional
grooming or riding is a job as any other. When an employer considers you as a
possible employee make sure you talk everything trough: work duties, your
experience and what kind of person is needed, payments and contracts, time on how
long you will work. Check out their homepage. Make sure bought parties are
aware of everything and satisfied.
In BOLD! Make sure you and your next employer talk
trough all the payment matters! When, how much and how? Keep in mind that
contract gives you safety and a legal document to require you’re money. And if
you haven’t received your money after one month don’t be naïve or scared to
ask!!!
When you have
found your job and all the requirements suits you and you have to know
everything you can possibly know pack your bags and good luck!
P.S. Please leave a comment if you found this information helpfull or you have something more to add.
