Equestrian Jobs: Rewarding Careers for Horse Lovers

Written By: Erin Cardea, WWU Associate Professor and Dean of the School of Equestrian Studies
Edited By: Michael Westphal, Content Marketing Specialist

Having a degree in equestrian studies gives a leg up to anyone who wants to be involved directly in the equine industry and allows for others to include their passion for horses in their chosen career fields. There's no need to “hold your horses,” so to speak. If you're champing at the bit to work with horses for a living, earning a degree in equestrian studies can help you realize your goal.

Thinking outside the box from the ‘norm’, a degree in equestrian studies could help you with a job as an equine-based tour guide, working with horses in the movies and film, curating horse-related museums or performing in horse-based shows. Horses can fit into most any profession.

There are the more classic routes in the field such as becoming a professional groom, rider, trainer, coach, or instructor, but the reality is that you can find a way to weave horses into most any career. You can become an equine photographer, an equine event manager, a website designer for equine businesses and organizations, a salesperson for horse tack, equipment, or apparel, an equine researcher, an equine insurance agent, or a farm or ranch manager.

With additional certifications or higher degrees, someone with a background in equestrian studies can go on to become an equine lawyer, work in equine-assisted therapy and services, become a mounted patrol officer in law enforcement, work as an accountant, bookkeeper, or tax professional for equine businesses, or teach equine studies as a college professor.

Finding a job after college can be as easy as making a phone call or getting an introduction from someone in the industry. Summer jobs and internships during college often lead to job offers upon graduation. At William Woods, there is an ‘EQS Jobs Book’ in which students can peruse current job opportunities. Numerous employers and alumni send emails and call the EQS faculty looking for students to come work after graduation. There are always more jobs available in the industry than people to fill them.