The top 3 equine careers that are hiring the most

They aren't as well known as most traditional careers such as lawyer, accountant or doctor. And yet most of the jobs in this sector are currently in high demand on the job market, and some of them even more so than the professions mentioned above. These are the jobs that revolve around the horse and riding. Here are the top 3 equine careers that are hiring the most.

The stable groom

The stable groom's job is to feed the horses every day and to look after the stables as well as the yard's equipment. Schooling areas, repairs, grounds maintenance… none of it is unfamiliar to them. The stable groom is also the professional who provides care to the horses. They make sure the horses stay in good health. A groom's work carries real responsibility. That's because it falls to them to report any problems with the yard's running, or any changes in a horse's behaviour, to the manager of the riding school or business they work for.

A stable groom needs an excellent knowledge of the horse as well as genuine stamina, because of the long hours and the outdoor work. For that reason it helps if they are handy with tools and can drive farm machinery.

The work rider

The work rider's job is to ride and train, on a daily basis, the various racehorses under a trainer's responsibility. The work rider must also be able to muck out the boxes and care for the horses they are responsible for. They also handle the grooming and are responsible for accompanying or transporting horses to the racecourse.

That said, it's important for a work rider to be in very good physical condition. The hardest part is the hours. They have to be outside very early in the morning, in winter as well as in summer. They will also finish late in the evening, because the yard has to be tidied up. To be a work rider you need to be light in build, to have strong powers of analysis and quick reactions, and to know the horses in your charge inside out. On top of all that, the best work riders spend much of their time on La Sellerie Française, one of the best shops for equestrian accessories, looking for the best kit for their horses.

The lad driver

The lad driver is the specialist responsible for schooling and training trotting racehorses on a daily basis, under the trainer's experienced eye. Like the work rider, they look after the boxes and care for the horses in their charge. The skills a lad driver needs are the same as those required of work riders. Some lad drivers may even line up at the start of official races.

To become a lad driver, you need at least a certificat d'aptitude professionnel agricole Lad — cavalier d'entraînement. You can also become a lad driver with a Bac Pro in Conduite et Gestion de l'Entreprise Agricole or in Gestion de l'Entreprise Hippique.