I'm a working student, and You guys are 1,000% right. Haha You pretty much become a slave, but it's the most amazing experience anyone can become a part of. You learn so much, and do so many great things that not many other people have to opportunity to do.

Being a WS is one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. Sure, I learn a lot taking lessons, but most of my experience around horses comes from working around them and keeping them healthy and happy. It's a ton of work, sometimes it's stressful, but it pays off

When I was younger I was a working student in a therapy barn. I started as a student there taking therapy on a horse that I now own and was offered a deal as a working student. (I had to quit because I got injured while riding and needed time to heal) I certainly had to work my way up. I started out doing the normal just beginning things cleaning stalls,grooming leading horses around for therapy with children. After about a year I worked my way into being able to train the new therapy horses coming into the barn. I gained a ton of knowledge and experience. I can now confidently say that I have learned enough to be able to accomplish my dream of opening a therapeutic riding center. I learned both the horse side of things and the business side. With out being a working student I would not be able to do the work that I am doing now. It was a very very stressful job but having a sense of humor is what got me through. And also my love for horses and helping people. Once my injury had healed I went back worked for a while more and was asked to take over the business when the owner retires. It was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. If you want to go somewhere with horses I suggest becoming a working student. You never know what can happen and you may just get extremely lucky like I have.

One of the best/most stressful summers I ever had was when I was a working student for a large A circuit jumper barn in California's Bay Area. I loved every minute and worked hard every day to be able to have lessons with top trainers and ride really nice horses. Many of the days were BRUTAL mostly because the assistants were NEVER nice to me and thought that since I was the working student, I would get the blame if something went wrong (2 months after I went back to school, these assistants were fired, thankfully.) they were unforgiving and horribly mean. As far as the riding and the lessons go, however, I went from barely jumping 2'6" to schooling 3'3" courses on a pretty hot jumper that was not an easy ride. My advice is if you're looking to work hard and improve your riding and horsemanship, WS is right for you, but if you're looking just to ride, then no, WS is not right for you.

Working with horses was supposed to be my career. I managed a livery yard, but after spending every day in tears from pain in my back, unable to lift a simple haynet and taking 4 hours to muck out my horses stable. I knew I wouldn't be able to do it. Only recently found out that I have a herniated disc in my back and it's the cause for years of horrendous pain. Working with horses was not meant to be, but I'll certainly own one again one day. Good luck to all of those going into the industry, remember to lift with your knees! =]

I can attest to the fact, this is the best way to really learn how to ride/work in the industry. Other things to ask though is if it's a paid or unpaid position, if you don't have a horse, do they supply you one for lessons. Also, working students candidates: The work is HARD. You will be mucking stalls, turning out, bringing in, feeding, picking out, moving jumps, stacking hay, dealing with clients (Depending on the job detail), tacking up, cleaning tack, cleaning the barn (cobwebs etc)---it's never ending--and you don't have a start or finish time--it's 24/7 when you live there. I had a paid position and let me tell you, it was the best experience of my life, and the most exhausting and I was 21. Sleep is relative, and it's one heck of a way to lose weight/gain muscle. And the most rewarding.

Its very reassuring to hear that most professionals have been a WS at some point! Thanks for the info.

I agree with the trial period but before you even do that, if you can, if at all possible, contact other people who have been working students there. What they can tell you about their experience at the place will either be a dealmaker or a dealbreaker. I was a working student in Germany and I didn't get the chance to talk to any past working students from the farm. Unfortunately, I had the worst experience imaginable.

I have been waiting forever for this, considering I'd love to be a working student when older. Thank you very much!

I was a working student, and while I do not agree with everything I was taught and I didn’t particularly enjoy that stable, the experience was invaluable and I carry it today. Even if it is tough, it’s amazing!

Awesome tips for people thinking they want a career in the horse industry. Many people my age are going off and doing a working student position, and I'm even thinking of it myself. You gave me a lot more to think about and consider before I make up my mind. Thank you!

My trainer got pregnant so today after my lesson she offered me to be a working student. I am ecstatic!!!

I love the ending with the questionnaire but i live in New Zealand and don't have any stables :P and everyone I know keeps their horses outside they seem to live just fine we just having really heavy waterproof covers hahaha loved the video though great pointers thanks :)

Great video! More like this ;) Tons of helpful information!

This was so helpful! Exactly what I needed to hear:) Thanks guys!

You guys are so awesome!

Great video and awesome tips!!!

this was absolutely perfect thank you! loved the interaction questions at the end too!

After I finish my university i would love to become a WS. I already do a lot of work in the stable in exchange for riding lessons but I cant afford a horese by myself so my parents are paying for it. I do have 7 yrs of school left so I have to wait witch is something Im not happy about but not finishing an university is not a possibility in my family. I guess, patience, patience, patience.. Love u guys

I just started riding a horse and my family does not have enough money to keep me riding this has helped me to work for riding Thank you

can you make a video about what you should look for in your first horse and what age he should be as well as breed

is there a maximum age cutoff to be a working student?

This is an awesome video, I LOVE the interaction its really fun and interesting, i would love to be a working student and currently work at Waikato Equestrian Center, your advise is so helpful thanks! Could u make another interaction one? :)

Hi I am very good with horse and when I started horse back riding in Thunder Bay and I lost my confident in a horse now my confident are back what should I do

if you have already made this video than thats okay, but i have an energetic mare that needs to be lunged before ridden. since she is a new horse, i have only been trotting crossrails. I feel like i am ready to move up to cantering more jumps, but my instructor doesnt seem to think i am ready. She told me it is because my horse is too energetic. do you have any tips to help calm her down when jumping?

I work for boarding

i would love to be a working student when i get older.

The answer from me is a definitely 'A' I'd rather have the horses safe and be soaking wet than having them injured or scared when I'm sleeping

I would like to know how you go about it. For example, if I wanted to work in Germany, do you just go contacting random barns? Is there a specific website for opportunities like this?

B , the horses are safer to be able to run around and freak out rather then being in their stalls & may get themselves hurt

Now I know this is probably an obvious answer and seems pretty ridiculous to ask, but do you have to have your own horse to be a working student? I grew up in the inner city and having a horse was a luxury I always craved and dreamed of but was never really realistic. I just wasn't fortunate enough to live out in the country where that was possible. But I'm very eager to be in the equestrian industry and would love to someday have my own horse and participate in Rolex. So, just to bring it back to focus I thought I would ask and hope that it wouldn't hinder my chances.

How old do you need to be to start being a working student?

I choose A.

How do you earn money if you want to ride horses for a living

i have a barn sour horse! HELP!

My concern is my boyfriend... We are in committed relationship and have been living together for 3 years. Would that hinder my chances at becoming a working student to bring him along? I assume it's something I would have to discuss with the barn owner once there's an opportunity before things are moved along too far. Anyone else have advise or have been in a similar situation?

i really wish you didnt need a giant financial backing to do this because i kill to be a working student

Personally, I wouldn't want to be anything else :)

Wat it didn't let me click on it¿

Do you have to have your own horse?

How old do you have to be!

A

😆

i really wish you didnt need a giant financial backing to do this because i kill to be a working student