Making an expensive sport more afforable!
If interested in any of the following please speak with your instructor at you next lesson or send them and email.
In an effort to make a riders horse habit more affordable; the following are several entrepreneurial suggestions. Some of these are for riders who have a bit of horse experience others could be for a beginner. Suggestions in blue are for those with more experience.
Grooming - There are often horses who do not get used on a daily basis both at GES and at other local barns. This could be a horse that needs a good curry and brushing, to a horse that needs it's mane pulled and tail combed. A rider who assist with grooming horses either 3 horses or 3 times (could be the same horse) can earn 1 practice ride.
Assisting with barn chores - Staff often have very busy schedules and offering to help in the barn is a great way to learn more about barn management and horse care. This task could include bring horses in or out in the A.M or P.M, helping to muck a few stalls or assisting with other barn chores like dewebing, sweeping tack rooms or club house, raking the arena and sweeping the viewing area. A rider who helps with approximately 2 hours of barn chores will earn 1 practice ride.
Tack cleaning - This is not everyone's favorite job but a necessity for every rider. If you know how to clean tack, do it well and enjoy it this is an opportunity for you. GES lesson tack could always use a good clean and oil as often as possible. As our lesson tack is kept clean it is not always oiled regularly. There are plenty of riders in the barn as well that might welcome help in cleaning their tack. You could either set a price like $5 for a saddle or bridle and $10 for both if cleaning private tack. GES tack could be in exchange for a practice ride or discount on barn show or horse show fees.
Photography - Handy with a camera? Set up a picture day and sell your prints for $5 each. Come to a show and take pictures then offer then at a reasonable cost. Riders could be mounted, jumping or just standing with their horse. This would look great on a resume or college application.
Clipping - This can be year round. Some one going to a show is too busy to clip their horse offer to do it for $5 or $10. Lesson horses should always have smooth muzzles and tidy legs offer to clean up the lesson horses in exchange for a practice ride. During the winter most horses who are being ridden need to be body clipped to some extent. Offer to help body clip (providing you know how) and charge $25 to $50 depending on the horse (barns charge upwards of $100 for this service).
Braiding - This skill can make you more then just spending money if you really get into it. First you have to learn how to braid then you have to practice and get good at it. Some professional braiders charge $30 or more. You should start around $10/$15.
Lesson assisting - As lesson programs get bigger GES often needs an extra set of hands and eyes in the aisle way before and after beginner group lessons. This could included helping to catch horses/ponies, helping to instruct a rider on haltering and cross-tie their horse/pony, picking out tack, picking up hoofs, bridling, adjusting stirrups and tightening girths as well as assisting to make sure all items find their home at the end of a lesson. If you have been a CIT they you already know the drill. Helping with two lesson days will earn 1 practice ride or a set amount off barn show fee's.
Schooling day helper at away shows - Riders that would like to help at horse shows but are not able to help the whole weekend may help on on schooling. This is the Friday before the show starts. They arrive at the barn in the morning assist with wrapping, packing, loading the trailer and ride up to the show with us. Once we arrive at the show they will assist with unloading the trailer, setting up our stalls, assist with tacking/untacking of horses to be schooled by the trainer and possibly bathing or hosing off. They should be picked up from the show grounds that evening. This can be done in exchange for 2 practice rides.
Grooming at away shows - Riders who wish to attend a show but either can't or don't want to show may groom. This is a Friday to Sunday job. They take part in the same activities are a schooling day helper above. In addition they also assist with feeding, mucking, bathing, grazing, ring running (a go between for the trainer, riders and starter) and assist with tear down and loading on Sundays of the show. They are Dropped off at the barn on Friday mornings and picked up on Sundays. They will stay either with the trainer or possibly a client (if one of their friends is showing etc.) and arrangements can be agreed upon. They will need their own money for food. This can be done in exchange for 3 practice rides or 1 practice ride and one day of free training at their next show.
