February 25, 2012 Michigan Sate University, University of Nebraska, Iowa State University, and University of Minnesota

United States Horse Industry: Finding Your Dream Job!

Christine Skelly, Michigan State UniversityKathleen Anderson, University of Nebraska Lincoln

Overview

1. US Equine Industry2. Equine Jobs 3. Finding Your Dream

Job4. EBC Information

Horse Uses

• There are horses in every state.

• 45 states have at least 20 K horses each. Recreation

(43%) , 3,906,923Showing,

(29%); 2,718,954

Racing, (9%),

844,531

Other, (19%);

1,752,439

Participation

• 4.6 million people are involved with horses

• This includes 2 million horse owners 238,000 breeding 481,000 competing, 1.1 million involved in other

activities

• 1 out of every 63 Americans is involved with horses!

238,000

481,0001,100,

000

Owner Activities

BreedingCompetingOther

Gross Domestic Product

• US Horse Industry directly produces goods and services of $38.8 billion

• Total impact of $101.5 billion on U.S. GDP

Recreati

on (31.9%)

Showing (

28.7%)

Racing (

26.1%)

Other (1

4.6%)02468

101214

11.810.8 10.6

5.5

GDP (billions of dollars)

GDP

Employment

• The industry employs 701,946 people directly. Equates to 453,612 full-time equivalent jobs. 119,000 service providers 2 million family members

and volunteers

• The industry supports a total of over 1.4 million FTE jobs across the U.S. Rac

ing

Showing

Recreati

onOth

er0

50,000100,000150,000200,000250,000300,000350,000400,000450,000500,000

FTE Jobs Supported by the U.S. Horse Industry

Direct Total

Taxes

• The industry pays a total of $1.9 billion in taxes to federal, state and local governments as follows (in millions of dollars): Federal - $588State - $1,017 Local - $275

Diversity of the Industry

• Rural activitiesbreeding training riding

• Urban activities racetracksoff-track betting horse showspublic sales

Income Levels

31%

26%

43%

Average Income of Horse Owners

< 50 K > 100 K 25-75 K

25 – 75 K<50 K

>100 K

Community Size

• Over 70% of horse owners live in rural communities of 50,000 or less.

EQUINE JOBS

Equine Jobs with Direct Contact with Horses

Head TrainersAssistant Trainers

BreedersFoaling

AttendantMare

HandlersStallion

Handlers

Riding/Driving Instructors

Health CareDentists,Equine

Veterinarians, Chiropractors, Acupuncture

Equine Jobs with Direct Contact with Horses

Grooms Barn Managers

Farrier Horse Show Judges

Equine Jobs - Sales

Direct•Advertisements•Agritourism•Apparel•Associations•Auctions•Communications•Education•Feed Industry•Health•Horse Sales•Pharmaceuticals•Tack

Indirect•Bedding•Equipment, Supplies & Transportation•Entertainment•Facilities•Insurance •Loans•Real Estate Sales

Equine Jobs: Entertainment

Agritourism• Camps• Dude Ranches• Trail Guides/Management• Equi-Trekking

Film•Trainer•Stunt Rider

Entertainers•Motion picture industry animal providers •Motion picture industry consultants •Motion picture industry stunt riders

Rodeo Jobs

Rodeo• Announcer• Event coordinator• Bucking stock• Rodeo manager• Pick-up

Exhibitor•Barrels•Bull Riding•Roping•Steer Wrestling

Horse Event Industry Jobs

Direct Jobs

• Communications• Course Designers• Development/Fundraising• Event Managers• Education

• Youth• Adult

• Leadership/Administration• Promotion• Marketing• Publications• Registrations

Associations

• National Associations• American Horse Council

• State Associations• Kentucky Equine Education

Project • Breed Associations

• American Quarter Horse Association

• Discipline Associations• United States Equestrian

Federation• Professional Associations

• American Association of Equine Practitioners

Communication Jobs

• Editors • Graphic design • Illustrators • Journalists (publications) • Marketing practitioners • Photographers • Public relations• Sales: advertisement placements, publication sales • Social Media Relations• Subscription management • Video production units including videographers, editors, producers • Website development and management • Writers (books)

Research & Education

Educators •Riding Instructors•Clinicians•Extension Educators•Instructors/Professors•Therapeutic Riding Instructors•Online Education•Courses•Software•Museum curator

Research•Animal Etiologist•Equine Nutritionist•Feed Chemist•Geneticist•Pharmaceutical chemist•Reproductive physiology specialist•Research chemist•Statistician

Additional Equine Jobs

• Accountants• Attorneys• Equine Flight Attendant• Financial Analyst• Journalism• Legislation & Government• Mounted Security Officer• Public Relations• Product Developer• Transportation/Haulers

Racing Industry Careers

BREEDING ENTERTAINMENT

TRAINING

RACING

BETTING

STUDS PUBLIC

TRAINING STABLESTOTES ANDBOOKMAKERSJOCKEYS

SALES

Stallion & MareOwners

Racehorse

Owners

Racehorse

s

Race goers

Media Sponsors

Youngstock

WinnersRACECOURSES

Finding Your Fit

• Know yourselfPersonal skills

• Research possibilitiesBusiness developmentDoor to door

• Develop professional skills

• Job search

Build Your Resume

• Internships• Associations• Volunteer• Stay versatile

Where do you fit?

• Are you passionate about horses?

• What are your favorite academic subjects?

• What is your ideal internship?

• What is your ideal working schedule?

• What is your biggest strength?

• What is your ideal career?

Resume Tips

• Tailor resume to fit the job descriptionHighlight experiences

that match the job description

Make sure all skills listed in the job description are covered in your resume

Be honest!

Prepare for the Interview

• Know the lingo• Know the industry• Research the business• Call ahead to confirm

time/location/names you will be interviewing with

• Write out your strengths and weaknesses

• Develop list of questions • Practice!

Interview Day

• Bring extra copies of your resume and job description

• Bring a business card• Arrive early• Introduce yourself with

a firm handshake• Dress appropriately• Follow up with thank

you letter

Resources

• American Horse Council Survey• Careers in the Equine Industry. Penn State.

http://www.das.psu.edu/research-extension/equine/careers

• Your Guide to a Successful Career. Colorado State University Equine Science. http://equinescience.colostate.edu/prospective%20students/Equine%20Science%20Career%20Packet.pdf

Equine Business Conference

• Date: Sat., Feb. 25• Fee: $30• Online Registration:

http://myhorseuniversity.com/ebc

• Locations Iowa State University Michigan State University University of Minnesota University of Nebraska

Lincoln

Get Social with EBN!

Equine Business Network

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Upcoming Webcasts

• Horse Boarding Operations – What is Involved?February 28, 2012 | 7PM

• Managing Live Horse EventsMarch 27, 2012 | 7PM