[MyxDappledxBay]

I'm at that age where it's time to start applying for colleges, choosing what I want to do with my life, etc. My parents are dead set on me going to college, which is understandable. But, I honestly don't want college. Yes, I know that sounds bad, but it's just not what I wanna do with my life.

My "plan" is to own an equine boarding/lesson farm and manage my barn. Do I really need a $40,000 diploma? Am I being unrealistic? How should I present my idea to my parents without them flipping out?

 

[horselovinguy]

Not to say it isn't done....
Boarding barns do not make the $$ you think they do, neither do lesson barns unless you are one of the very best, "top of the heap", "cream of the crop" in producing winners in the elite shows.
You have very high overhead, issue with keeping good, conscientious workers and long time boarders who change lesson barn trainers as the fad and wind blows a different direction...
It is a 24/7/365 day a year job...never a true day off.
There is always something that makes the phone ring, you take a trip down to the barn...

I was a barn manager for many years.
I worked 6 days a week from 6:00AM till normally past 4:00PM...then had my own horses to care for.
Thankfully, I had some wonderful friends {trainer/instructor apprentices} who rode my horses for me when I was just to tired to do so...that was more often happening honestly than I want to admit to, but truth.
I was dedicated, no matter the weather or storm...those animals depended upon me. I was at work!
Christmas, Thanksgiving, and or sick as a dog I went to work.
My bosses knew it and holidays they spent home with the family while I worked...
No more, my family comes first now and should of then.
These are the kind of things you need to think about if you truly plan on making a living having a barn...the months of being full, then in a eyes blink your boarders leave overnight and you have "0" income yet you have bills to pay or lose it all...

Today, I think it even harder to start this kind of business, make it work and be successful.
People are not dedicated to a job like it use to be...
No one wants to do manual labor all day every day and not bring home mega $$$$....you included.
Yup, your parents are right a far as I am concerned.
College or trade school, where you will work and in time earn a nice living.
A living that allow you to have your horse, your home and barn and still have $ to spend on you.
The ability to have a vacation, enjoy life and think about a saving for a retirement years down the road...
Unless you are "A NAME" recognized by the elite of the horse world...sorry, no.
Get a education, a job that pays you enough to live on and then some and have a small boarding business on the side you not depend upon to eat, to live, to have a roof over your head...
Keep your passion of horses a passion enjoyed fun.
Do not risk burn-out of stress because of what you chose to do for the majority of your life is a long time...then what if you get hurt and can't do the workload needed... :-|

There are many here who own their business...
Honestly, how many of you make a living off your barn where you pay ALL your barn & horse bills, plus the mortgage, food , utilities and car payments and have $ left over... :think: :confused_color: :shrug:
Bet there are sadly very few if any...most need that other persons income to afford their dream.
I prefer to dream and afford it on my salary and have my other half $$ to spend and enjoy together.
jmo...
:runninghorse2:...

 

[mmshiro]

You may want to keep your options more open, but in the end, it's your life.

Equine Career Opportunities

 

[boots]

A general degree with a good dose of business classes will serve you well, no matter where life takes you. And you may discover other avenues to achieve your goals.

Most barn owners had to have money to start their business. You are unlikely to get that without some training in some area other than being able to ride and clean a stall.

 

[elkdog]

The only way you'll make a small fortune at a boarding barn, is to start with a large one!

 

[newtrailriders]

Honestly, if you don't want to go to college right now, you may be wasting your parents money! Perhaps your parents will agree to you taking a few years off to explore the world and decide what you want to do, and then going back to college. If they're still willing to help you fund it at the time when you want to go, and you're motivated to do well, and you know what you want to major in, it will be a win-win situaiton.

I know a whole lot of people who went to college because their parents wanted them to but ended up skipping their classes and failing out or barely passing and taking a job in a field they're not interested in and then not doing well in that field.

Do what YOU want to do with your life, after you get a realistic idea of what adult life is like. Get a job in an equine facility, see how it's run and how much work they have to do for the amount of $ they make and then decide if you'd like to do that.

 

[SketchyHorse]

I know a whole lot of people who went to college because their parents wanted them to but ended up skipping their classes and failing out or barely passing and taking a job in a field they're not interested in and then not doing well in that field.

*raises hand* Yep. This is basically my college experience in a nutshell.

If you feel strongly that college is not for you right now - don't force it. Discuss with your parents the possibility of taking a year off or doing classes at a local community college part-time. When I was 17/18 I didn't know what I wanted to do. My parents forced the issue. Work full-time or go to college full-time. I chose school. I still tell my mom it was the worst thing they could have ever done to me. If they had just continued to let me work part-time, be a teenager for another year, then forced the issue about school or work - I honestly don't think I'd be in the situation I am right now.

However, I will say I frequently regret not just finishing school when I had started. Yes, I have a full time job that pays me well. No, I'm not happy with my current "career." So don't totally close the door on going to school. You might end up going & figure out it's absolutely 100% not for you (this happened to my boyfriend & he's very happy in construction/carpentry type jobs). You might find out you want to, but you're uncertain of what you exactly want to do.

If you aren't currently, I would spend a lot more hours in a barn deciding if that's really what you want. Like already mentioned - it's not an easy career & literally requires your attention 100% of every day. Most people I know who've gone into the boarding business has had it bought or paid for by mommy & daddy, struggled hard as a trainer/rider to be able to sell horses to support their barn, or inherited their property & busted their behind.

 

[aubie]

Great replies as usual I will add a few thoughts in no particular order.

I really like the suggestion of, if available the Jr or Com college. A lot cheaper, get basics out of the way. Most offer night classes so flexible schedule. Be sure to check if what you are taking will transfer. And maybe a chance to take a class of interest you haven't thought of before in a field you really haven't thought about. You never know.

College isn't for everyone. But don't use that as an excuse not to go and take advantage of an opportunity.

There is always a temptation to want to turn fun things into careers. While certainly it's way better to be interested in your job. And a lot of people do down the road with some experience.

As mentioned the horse business is hard, especially at start up. It isn't a turnkey type thing where you can rent a little storefront or office, hang out your sign and go. But that doesn't mean there are not opportunities in the equine industry. There are, but frankly boarding and training are the hard.

Doing something you love can take the shine off and some enjoyment away. Big difference between hobby and responsibility. I am in your shoes of sorts. I absolutely love racing and want to be a full time handicapper. Big difference in a day at the track and watching replays at ten at night for information.

I wish you the best. Seeking advice shows wisdom and dedication. So I have a feeling whatever you do will turn out great. Didn't mean to sound negative. But you are an adult now making bigger designs and commitments.

 

[SilverMaple]

Go to a local community/jr. college and start on a business degree; minor in marketing and/or accounting. That will give you a decent background in whatever else you want to do, and stand you in good stead if you do someday own or run a barn.

That being said, the only people making a go of boarding barns around here (and they are few and far between) either work full-time jobs in addition to the barn, or inherited a big chunk of change and don't care if it only breaks even or loses a bit of money here and there. Most use it as a side-income to supplement full-time jobs or as a way to afford a barn, arena, and hay for their own horses-- not to make a living.

 

[EstrellaandJericho]

In my honest opinion college, unless you are going to be a nurse or an engineer, is pointless. By the time you get out of college you are in so much debt it will take you at least 10 years to pay off. I have worked my tail off and progressed into management in my particular career and am making a better wage than my peers who went to college and I don't have the student loan debt they do.

If you go to college be sure to have a payoff plan. One of my peers lived with her parents for 3 years after graduating and put all of her paychecks to her college loans and paid them off early. This is your best decision if possible. Weigh your options and find what's best for you. Community colleges have some continuing education courses for business and finances. A QuickBooks course could get you going and make you have a very marketable skill. I see many job openings on indeed that give immediate consideration to those trained or certified in QuickBooks.

Just my 2 cents. Too many people getting into debt when they don't need to be.

Edit: also watch this https://youtu.be/NT1i26RbrhM

I really liked the suggestion above to get some school done at a community college to get it out of the way. In Austin TX the ACC here has the same professors teaching the same class here as UT but you get it at a third of the cost.

 

[SilverMaple]

College is not worthless, you just have to use common sense. I'm not in a field anywhere near what my majors were, but a lot of jobs still require a degree (BA or BS, minimum). Now, that being said, choose wisely. If you will have to take out loans, perhaps you need to take a year or two to work and save money between high school and college, or attend community college for a couple of years to get the core classes out of the way. Look at what career you want-- your chances of getting a job that will pay back loans in a field like theater or French literature is slim to none. Go into something marketable. Choose your college by looking at graduation rates and HIRE RATES in that field after graduation from that particular school. A degree from one school may not be the same as from another-- intern and visit with potential employers and make contacts. Job searching is all about who you know. All of this matters even if you luck out and your parents will pay your way, or you get a scholarship/grants so loans are not needed. The days of 'major in something you love' are past-- major in something that will pay a living wage when you graduate, and in a field where jobs are available.

Most of the life lessons you learn in college aren't related to your degree. You learn responsibility, you make life-long friends, you learn how to learn and to open your mind to other viewpoints. That's the true benefit, and that's why many employers still require a college degree. Many don't care what it's in-- they just care that you have one.

Now, if you have zero interest in a liberal arts education, look into trade schools and the like. A friend of ours found that a 4-year college wasn't for him, and went to a trade school and learned to weld. He loves his job, he makes good money, and it was a great fit for him. Do what YOU want to do, but use common sense, too.

 

[kittycom101]

I also find college pretty overrated. If I did not want to be a veterinarian, I would not still be in college! My family put a lot of pressure on me to go, especially my grandparents. But they come from a generation where not many people got an education and if you had the chance, you took it. Now I am along side peers who may be able to make an A in an organic chemistry class, but could never change a tire (no real life experience). My family is not paying for my schooling, I am (3rd year of undergrad btw). Had my chosen career been something like a blue collar job, I probably would not be in college.

I don't think college is bad, just overrated, lots of debt, and depending on your career not enough jobs to meet the amount of graduates. BUT! Certain jobs should require proper training and education (nurses, doctors, etc). And before you decide you don't want to go, I would take some classes at a community college or trade school. Try some electives. Just to get a feel of what college is like and maybe help open some back up options since the horse world is such a large supply, low demand industry. I would try to take a year to travel and see what real life is like before life won't let you. I wish I had taken a break in between college and high school! Remember college will only get you so far! You need to develop real life coping skills if you really want to get where you are going. I have seen some amazing people do incredible things with out having a degree (Jane Goodall for example!).

 

[Foxhunter]

I well recall way back when, I went with my mother to see the careers officer. I wanted to leave school as soon as I could which was in a couple of months when I was 15.
I wanted to work with horses and had dreams of owning my own place. The careers officer told me that I didn't realise what hard work it was and that it wasn't all galloping around with the wind blowing on my hair.
My mother actually stood up for me and told him that I had spent the previous winter hauling hay and water on sledges to and from the stables so I knew exactly what hard work was.

I have had my own place, rented and as HLG says it is 24/7 regardless.

Would I change it? No way, I loved my work.

However things were very different back then, now you do need those pieces of paper to say you are qualified in this that or the other. The other thing is that majority of girls that start out working with horses do find it to restricting and tiring. It is never 9-5 and you miss out on a lot somthey leave and do something else.

 

[6gun Kid]

Get the degree, it is something that once you have that they cannot take away, ever. As for the debt, there are more scholarships and grants out there than most realize. You have to look for them, my daughter paid for her 1st 4 semesters entirely on grants and scholarships, and owes nothing.

 

[MyxDappledxBay]

Thank you guys for the replies!

Yes, I know very well the work it takes. I actually work at my barn now, from about 6 am to sometime around 8ish. I feed, muck stalls, train some smaller kids, hall hay etc. So I'm very well aware of the work. That's not really my issue.
Money is also not an issue, for college or my future.

My main thing is trying to convince my parents. They are really pressuring me to go to college, but I don't want to waste money just for me to not use the degree. I'm just wondering how I would go about convincing my parents of my life plans.

 

[PaintHorseMares]

There is a bunch of good advice already posted. I'll just add that as you look ahead to your career interests, jobs, hobbies, passions, and (yes) eventual retirement, keep in mind that your biggest expensive BY FAR will be medical/medical insurance. It's certainly a hot topic these days, but the young people that I know don't want to even think about it. I know a couple people that left their jobs with employer provided medical insurance to start their own businesses and only then found out how expensive it really was. A job that provides medical is a tremendous financial plus.

 

[DancingArabian]

I'm at that age where it's time to start applying for colleges, choosing what I want to do with my life, etc. My parents are dead set on me going to college, which is understandable. But, I honestly don't want college. Yes, I know that sounds bad, but it's just not what I wanna do with my life.

My "plan" is to own an equine boarding/lesson farm and manage my barn. Do I really need a $40,000 diploma? Am I being unrealistic? How should I present my idea to my parents without them flipping out?

You don't need a $40,000 diploma but...

....how are you going to buy the facility?
....how are you going to pay your bills until the business becomes profitable?
....how will you pay your bills in the event you become injured and can't ride/teach? Boarding is usually a break-even endeavor for many facilities.

While it's admirable that you want to have your own equine business, the reality is that you need a way to get it going, and a backup plan in case things turn sour.

IMO, if I went back to do it all over again, I would not go to to college. I would go directly into trade school and have become a mechanic or a carpenter.

 

[Trinket12]

Do you have to go to college full time? Could you compromise and do a part time course and also do the barn? You may not want education now, but further down the line you might find you have an interest and a need.