Q&A: Thoughts about equine job market
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Features
By Elizabeth Staton
Staff Writer
May is upon us and equine students that are seniors at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and don't have jobs yet need to be looking into their job market. The question is, is there a job market in the equine industry?
The answer is varied. It is proven that the horse market is in a slump, but there is still a lot of money that is poured into it. The higher end horses are still worth a lot, families still manage to scrounge a little money here and there to go trail riding, and parents still fork out the money to pay for their child's competition fees.
Seniors may not need to be panicking, but they should be very proactive in their search for a job. Sara Schulz, instructor of equine studies at SMWC, and Brittany Eyer, SMWC senior, were interviewed for their comments about the equine industry and its job market.
Q: What in general do you think about the state of the equine industry?
Schulz: Depends on where you're at. Midwest not as many horse farms. People here are struggling more. Indiana is more of a business area. Prices for higher quality horses don't seem to be suffering.
Eyer: It's in the toilet! We need to continue educating people because people are misinformed.
Q: Do you think that there is any hope on the horizon?
Schulz: Only thing that would help is lowering gas/diesel prices and feed. Lot of job loss.
Eyer: Obviously the racing industry, more A-circuit, high-class things.
Q: Who do you think has been hit the hardest?
Schulz: Average backyard owners.
Eyer: Middle people that are trying to train and raise horses. They can't sell them.
Q: What part of the industry is still thriving?
Schulz: Some trainers, even high end, aren't having horses stay with them as long. They might have to pick up some of the grunt work.
Eyer: High end of the industry is still thriving.
Q: How long do you think the slump will last?
Schulz: At least a year, probably through the summer.
Eyer: Don't really know at current state.
Q: What does this mean for graduating equine students?
Schulz: They need to really prepare, be willing to travel, stay on top of their game, experience, really a lot of competition. Start at bottom and work their way up.
Q: Are you nervous about finding a job in the equine industry at this time?
Eyer: Duh! Yes, because industry is on down-side, really have to have name out there to get a decent job. Places are hiring but not paying well. Also get job you will like.
Q: Do you think that this would be a good time for pleasure riding businesses to be opening?
Schulz: If they have a clever and unique approach, it would be a good idea. Good promoting. Good prices.
Eyer: If they can afford it and going at reasonable rates because horses are still seen as a perk. Really know what you're doing. Advertise, and be financially sound.
Staff Writer
May is upon us and equine students that are seniors at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and don't have jobs yet need to be looking into their job market. The question is, is there a job market in the equine industry?
The answer is varied. It is proven that the horse market is in a slump, but there is still a lot of money that is poured into it. The higher end horses are still worth a lot, families still manage to scrounge a little money here and there to go trail riding, and parents still fork out the money to pay for their child's competition fees.
Seniors may not need to be panicking, but they should be very proactive in their search for a job. Sara Schulz, instructor of equine studies at SMWC, and Brittany Eyer, SMWC senior, were interviewed for their comments about the equine industry and its job market.
Q: What in general do you think about the state of the equine industry?
Schulz: Depends on where you're at. Midwest not as many horse farms. People here are struggling more. Indiana is more of a business area. Prices for higher quality horses don't seem to be suffering.
Eyer: It's in the toilet! We need to continue educating people because people are misinformed.
Q: Do you think that there is any hope on the horizon?
Schulz: Only thing that would help is lowering gas/diesel prices and feed. Lot of job loss.
Eyer: Obviously the racing industry, more A-circuit, high-class things.
Q: Who do you think has been hit the hardest?
Schulz: Average backyard owners.
Eyer: Middle people that are trying to train and raise horses. They can't sell them.
Q: What part of the industry is still thriving?
Schulz: Some trainers, even high end, aren't having horses stay with them as long. They might have to pick up some of the grunt work.
Eyer: High end of the industry is still thriving.
Q: How long do you think the slump will last?
Schulz: At least a year, probably through the summer.
Eyer: Don't really know at current state.
Q: What does this mean for graduating equine students?
Schulz: They need to really prepare, be willing to travel, stay on top of their game, experience, really a lot of competition. Start at bottom and work their way up.
Q: Are you nervous about finding a job in the equine industry at this time?
Eyer: Duh! Yes, because industry is on down-side, really have to have name out there to get a decent job. Places are hiring but not paying well. Also get job you will like.
Q: Do you think that this would be a good time for pleasure riding businesses to be opening?
Schulz: If they have a clever and unique approach, it would be a good idea. Good promoting. Good prices.
Eyer: If they can afford it and going at reasonable rates because horses are still seen as a perk. Really know what you're doing. Advertise, and be financially sound.
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