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Please Read and Interview Me!!!

3K views 22 replies 14 participants last post by  MacabreMikolaj 
#1 ·
I want to work with horses. When I say that, I mean that I would like to care for them, routine maintenance, and be taught to ride/train horses, more extensively. Basically, all aspects of being around these great creatures.

I already work at the local horse boarding and training facility several days a week and even on the weekend. I also assist with giving lessons regularly to younger students and those who are around my age, of all levels and riding experience. I've trained a young, unbroken Mustang Gelding from the time he was a colt. I've also ridden and trained various horses that belong to my friends and coworkers. I have been riding horses since I could walk, but have only been doing it seriously (competitively) for the last four years, which is how long I've been working at this stable, High Point Stables. I can successfully ride English Pleasure, Western Pleasure, English Show (Hunter/Jumper, Equitation), Western Show (Barrel Racing) & Training/Breaking In Young Horses.

I am fourteen years old, but don't let that hold you back. I am not looking for "cash" in exchange for my work, instead, I'm looking for possibly free lessons every so often and the likes. The horse stables around where I live have very kind owners, and are welcoming of young riders to help out. I would like to start a sort-of training internship and work at a stable with many horses, to learn as much as possible about every aspect. I'm pretty decent, and have watched my trainers, along with many of the boarders who are EXCELLENT riders. I listen extremely carefully to everything they say and do, but have received no "formal" training (flat). I have received many professional LESSONS and various English Show experiences, but none in actual TRAINING.

I am located in Boca Raton, Florida (in case you are nearby) and have extensive knowledge of how to: Feed, Water, Groom (For Shows, or Everyday, I do a WONDERFUL job), Tack-Up, Un-Tack, Hose Down, Bathe, Walk (To Dry), Muck, Shavings, Worm, Body Clip (Face, Body, Legs, Tail), Pull Mane & Tail, Clean Tack, Ride and Setting Up Jump Courses. I also am very interested in becoming an Equine Veterinarian, so I'm aware of major horse body parts and various diseases/illnesses/injuries horses can get if not properly cared for.

I would like to get some sort of an idea of what would be expected of me if I were in search of a part-time, or full-time career, and finding a trainer that would be willing to work with me. Obviously, basics, like what kind of horses I have worked with, what kind of work I have done, and so on. Let's pretend I'm applying for this job and you all are my employers. Please ask me all of the questions you would MAKE SURE to ask someone who was interested in being around your horses. I'll answer them all completely honestly and to the best of my ability. My main focus is to see how qualified I am and what I need to work on/improve on.

Thank You Ahead Of Time!
 
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#2 ·
I know I am going to sound like a big meanie. But is the young horse you have "trained" the same one you are talking about in another thread that nods and has no brakes and no reverse and no respect? You have just written that you listen to everything that you get told but I have just seen a perfect example of someone who is not willing to listen at all.

I don't mean to be mean. Now that I see you are only fourteen I understand the attitude. I will give you some advice for free and this is something that I have learned the hard way. People who think they know everything can't learn. If someone already believes that what they do is 'perfect' ( your word by the way) where is there any room for improvement? Unless you don't think think that you need to improve which would make you arrogant and impossible to teach.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, just calm down a little. All the gushing is OTT!
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
I know I am going to sound like a big meanie. But is the young horse you have "trained" the same one you are talking about in another thread that nods and has no brakes and no reverse and no respect? !
Good catch kiwigirl. And from your reply to kiwigirl I wouldn't hire you.
Sorry.

Now ignoring all that another question I would have is TRANSPORTATION? How are you going to get here?? I need you first thing in the morning so do you have a reliable way of getting here?? At 14 you don't drive so will one of your parents make sure you are here when I need you??
 
#3 ·
First of all - every time you are around a horse, or riding a horse, you are training it. Horses are like sponges, and we can't turn off when they learn things and when they don't. We can't just say "Oh today I'm going to train and then tomorrow I'll just ride", it doesn't work that way.
As far as for an internship/working student position, be prepared for everything you do to be wrong. I have worked for a lot of different people and every time I go somewhere else I groom a horse wrong, or pick a stall wrong or lunge a horse wrong. Nothing is ever perfect or "right" until you have maybe 5-10 years of experience working for a lot of different people.
Also - be careful where you go. Although some places are great there are more people who have bad experiences than good ones. I have known people who go away with their horses to be working students for a while and come back after 4-6 mos having given up, dropped 10-20 lbs and w/o any new riding skills beyond better stickum from riding the rank 3 y/os.

Good luck!
 
#8 ·
Angel, you said in your first post: "Let's pretend I'm applying for this job and you all are my employers. Please ask me all of the questions you would MAKE SURE to ask someone who was interested in being around your horses."

Kiwigirl was simply asking a question that was completely legitimate in what you were asking for. By saying that she took up the space to insult you is incorrect, and your response is a contradiction of what you had just asked from us. You asked us to ask you all the questions as if we were going to hire you. She was.

I would like to see Kiwi girl's question answered. Your ability to answer questions like these cooly and in a manner of respect and maturity is a key element of being able to handle yourself with owners who are possibly looking at you as somone to hire. So think carefully before you answer their questions. Think twice and take your time.
 
#5 ·
Anebel,
Thank you, I completely understand what you mean! I have visited several stables, and each have their own individual way of doing things. When I came to High Point Stables for the first time, it was so much different then how my cousin wanted me to do everything with her horses. It took some getting used to, and adjusting, but I love it here and I am becoming more situated each day with this. Thank you immensely for your advice. :)
 
#7 ·
It's kind of ironic that you would have a bit of a spazz out on kiwigirl for pointing out almost exactly what a quality employer would catch you on. You can't talk about things and then just pretend they didn't happen when it's convenient, employers are excellent at digging up the dirt on potential employees, especially when working at any barn with half a degree of merit. kiwigirl essentially just called you on something that any associate of yours would likely be prone to spill the beans about if the gossip started spilling down the party line. If you get enough people babbling about the Mustang you brag about training have a zillion and ones problems you can't fix, you're going to look foolish.

And agreed with RiosDad, with an attitude like that, I wouldn't even consider hiring you. When someone catches you off guard, getting defensive is never the answer. kiwigirl just offered you an extremely good point and something to be prepared for - if you disagree with her, then develop an arguement to make solid points about why you feel the way you do. Or better yet, have yourself prepared to answer on exactly why you're having problems with the horse and what you're doing to resolve it as a way to demonstrate your abilities.

Regardless of how much experience you claim to have, you're only 14 years old and that's going to hinder you. Don't hold yourself back even more by giving into the stereotypes about teenage attitude. Be humble and be a good worker, and above all, be honest.
 
#9 ·
WOWZERS. This girl is only 14! Giver her a break.. I think its great she is looking to further her knowledge.. She isn't looking for a training position in an olympic stable, simply a job working in and around horses! Where she will LEARN more, she doesn't even want to be paid! We have a silmilar system in most Australian Riding Schools, young girls (mostly) are hired who have a love for horses and work on the weekends and help with all aspects of riding and care. They do not get paid but receive a lesson in return for their hard work. We called it Junior Staffing. Its a great program and allows JS to improve their horsemanship in everyway. No one will hire her and put her to work on training a horse straight away, so I don't know why everyone is getting so upset about this whole training mustang thing. Kiwigirl was perhaps correct in asking about it however the OP is young and I TOTALLY understand why she was insulted! Lol. Far out.
 
#10 ·
Kiwigirl was perhaps correct in asking about it however the OP is young and I TOTALLY understand why she was insulted! Lol. Far out.
Actually if she'll be insulted any time employer or potential employer asks something like that (or ever worse sometime, I've heard much less comfortable questions at the interviews) it's not gonna come to any good. I'm not driven at the OP in any way, but employers NEVER like attitude. It's just my life experience. :D
 
#11 ·
The sooner she learns the world isn't a free ride, the better. No employer, or even someone willing to take on a working student, is going to be impressed by the resume of a 14 year old if the attitude isn't there to back it up. Regardless of her experience, she's going to start on the bottom of the totem pole, mucking stalls and feeding horses like everyone does. Acting like you know it all at 14 is a big turn off to most people considering working students. It's simply the reality of the equine world.

I took on a position as a working student when I was 18. I've been around horses since I could walk, trained my own mare from birth, done Pony Club, competed in various events, trained problem horses and assisted in training of others. None of that mattered and I was grateful for the chance to scrape poop from the back sides of $50,000 horses. My attitude paid off and my responsibilities grew. It's amazing how little you realize you know when you admit it and open yourself to everything you can learn slaving in the bottom of the barrels.

Nobody is trying to be mean here, just realistic. If you want to make it in the horse world, those are facts that have to be faced! :D
 
#12 ·
Man o Man!! Who is the 14 year old and who are the grown ups!!

Sounds like she has managed to get herself a pretty good foundation going. Cocky is sometimes a virtue--especially on the end of a rope with a 2 year old stud colt who has only one thing on his mind.

Young Lady find someone you respect and give it in return and your workd of understanding can expand 100 fold.

Good Luck.
 
#17 ·
Okey dokey. I am fifteen and even I know that the way she approached kiwigirl was ridiculous. She asked for questions that possible employers might ask, and when given a question that she didn't exactly like, she responded in a rude manner. She obviously contradicted herself by saying that she is a good listener, when on her post about this said mustang she failed to "listen" to any of the advice. Age has nothing to do with it. Excuse the fact that she is fourteen. Do you honestly think a future employer is going to care whether she is fourteen or forty? No. If a person of any age has an attitude or is disrespectful to the boss, or other workers for that matter, they aren't going to have a job for long.
 
#18 ·
I can think of nothing I would hire a 14 yo girl for. There is nothing less reliable than a young teenage girl. At 16 or 17 they seem to have more of thier "stuff" together. That being said, if I needed someone to clean stalls and feed horses I wouldn't care about how much experience they had I would care about haw they would get to work. If they did a poor job or were absent or late a lot then they would no longer have a job. I wouldn't waste time interviewing someone to muck stalls particularly if I wasn't going to pay them.
 
#23 ·
I understand completely where kevinshorses is coming from. As an accomplished trainer with a serious work ethic, the last thing a barn like that needs to do is take chances on teenagers. Maybe one in a hundred DO have a better work ethic then most adults, but what barn wants to keep taking those chances? Accomplished barns and trainer would typically rather pay their help then run the risk of something not being done because of "boyfriend problems" or "my mom won't drive me".

Essentially, it all falls into kevinshorses being able to give the perspective of an employer - and he's completely right. I've been there, trust me. Most barns simply will not take the chance of giving a 14 year old chores such as morning turnout because it's not like a regular job - if you don't show up, serious repercussions will ensue.

I think it's a little ridiculous that we're being told we're being mean to her. Help comes in all forms, and more often then not, attempting to coat it in sugar completely defeats the purpose of trying to relay the message in the first place. The OP seems like a dedicated horse person, we're being realistic so she doesn't ruin her chances right off the get go by being rude to a prominant employer who then spreads the word about her. If you want to break into the horse world full-time, you better be prepared to learn the politics, even at a young age. This isn't even like "real world" where you get to lolly gag around - one wrong step even at this age with the wrong employer could destroy her chances of breaking big in the future.
 
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