Horses and their equipment are expensive- so mistakes can cost an awful lot. They are also potentially dangerous, being such large animals. Due to these valid concerns there can be an understandable reluctance to leave people who are new to the stables and equestrianism in general with much responsibility for horses.
However, there are certain horsey jobs that always need doing and which anyone can carry out with little fear of doing any damage or hurting themselves. If you have friends or family that beg to come give you a hand, offer them some of these jobs. If you are new to horses and looking to earn more time with them, ask if you can start out by undertaking these duties. If you prove yourself a willing worker, your opportunities will increase with your growing experience.
Haynet Stuffing
Horses that live in can go through dozens of filled nets in a week. It’s a time consuming task and often a hard one, as pressing hay into the bigger nets and carrying them about may be tough on the back. However, it is a safe and straightforward duty and one which most busy stables would be happy to get help with. All you need is a way of measuring nets (most places use a spring balance) or an example to judge by if the yard prefers to monitor by eye, access to good quality hay and some gloves to keep your hands clean and protect them. It’s a great and valued start to earning some free training or lessons, and a pretty safe task to set a novice.
Yard Sweeping and Tidying
Busy yards simply develop mess, from horse droppings and straw to discarded equipment. There is always room for someone who is willing to grab a brush and get down to it. Some people are very particular about the technique and direction of brushing a yard so be prepared to ask! Remember that muck and debris should be picked up and placed in a wheelbarrow, not forced into a grate or drain as this will only cause blockages and problems somewhere. If you aren’t sure where things belong, ask, and make a note to remember next time; you’ll soon learn where items belong on your particular yard and the tidying task will get much easier.
Pooh Picking
Most yards with grazing will always be in need of a pooh picker. Occasionally a facility will have enough fields that they can leave some to rest long enough not to worry about it, but most need the muck regularly taken off the grazing to maintain quality and reduce worms. All a pooh picker needs is a barrow and a shovel. It may not be the most exciting task, but it is very straightforward. It’s a good start for a novice, although if there are horses in the field they may need to be advised about how to respond to their often friendly and inquisitive approaches, and it tends to earn a great deal of appreciation. Taking a personal stereo can help time to pass, but remember to keep one ear clear to listen to any brewing problems if there are horses in the same field.
Muck Heap Tidying
Left neglected a muck heap can spread across the yard and contribute to endless mess. A tidy muck heap rots faster and is much easier to manage. The ideal muck heap is compact and almost square, but most yards are content with one where the fresher muck is forked towards the back to prevent spread and loose piles are pressed into the main body of the heap. Ask those in charge of the yard how they want the muck heap treated, and simply follow their instructions. A complete tidy can be very time consuming, and a little smelly, but it’s actually a satisfying job once the heap is all neat and compact.
Don’t take advantage of your helpers. If they are only there to spend time with you, always thank them, buy them the occasional treat to show your appreciation and start showing them others things they may like to do. Make sure you have a chat and a bit of social time over a cup of tea while you are both at the stables, don’t just leave them slaving away!
If you are the helper, work as hard as you can and see what rewards might come your way. If what you want is more experience, ask to be taught new skills as you feel you have mastered each task you are set. If you are working for lessons or rides, you may find yourself working at these ‘duller’ roles longer and more frequently. It is up to you to judge how you value the rewards you get for your work, and should you feel you are being taken advantage of, to decide whether to discuss this with the people you work with or simply move on.
Paula Sainthouse - Paula Sainthouse holds qualifications in psychology, public relations, horse management & animal behaviour.
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