Doing a degree in Equine Science is a complete waste of time and money isn't it?

[Miladymilord]

Because dd wants to put it as her insurance and I just think it's a load of bobbins.

She's had a year out due to illness so can't take another one.

There is still time to get some work experience as applications don't have to be in until January

Why not? People go to uni at all ages. I was 23 when I went (originally trained as a riding instructor but went to uni later when I realised there was no money in horses).

My friend did it, ended up doing a masters into something to do with animal based diseases and blood work (sorry, bad friend, I'm not actually sure what). Then after a few years she decided to change career and become a primary school teacher. She's now a deputy head.

You're right imo. Those courses are trying to cover too much in insufficient depth. She should consider a science course, agricultural science, physio, business, or something like the Irish National Stud course (there must be other countries offering similar). Depending on her areas of interest.

Does she really need to do a degree?

My DD intends applying for equine studies. Having chatted to course leaders I really don’t think it’s a pointless degree. There’s loads of transferable skills and it teaches students a lot about how to apply scientific principles in a real life context and they also learn fundamental business and resource management skills. My DD is interested in the equine therapy route possibly to work with children with autism and this course is a good first step for that too. I think it’s a bit outdated to dismiss courses on the basis of title. Employers are much more interested in the skills learnt and year in industry etc these days. Where has your DD looked at for this op?

Surely sports science is equally pointless? She would be better off resitting her a levels surely?

Friends Dc did osteopathy and now makes oodles as a specialist equine osteopath. She treats the horses at Epsom and Liverpool.

I know lots of people who’ve done equine science degrees. The following careers were equine dentist, equine chiropractor, vet, livery yard owner/manager, stunt rider for tv/films, Welfare manager at a large equine charity. Not all well paid and some are self employed but they’re all doing well in their jobs. But it’s not something to study half heartedly.

Better to get practical experience or study something that will get you paid more. Pro rider, vet, farrier, saddler, farmer, producer of various equine products, instructor or trainer are typical jobs. None of those require equine science or studies as a degree. Alternatively do something that will get her paid enough to keep her own to a high standard.

All of those jobs listed (apart from stunt rider) are quite other qualifications and could be done in a much cheaper, direct route. For a livery yard or welfare centre manager you'd need much more experience. You'd be better working as a groom for a while, then as a working pupil with a top rider. I know someone with no qualifications that worked for a rider at the London Olympics, she'd worked her way up and proved herself. She now runs a yard that people are falling over themselves to pay a fortune to livery on because of her hands on experience of riding, fittening and training horses to Olympic level. On the flip side, one of the ladies that I trained with for my BHS qualifications all those years ago trained at an equine management college. One student was offered a placement at an Olympic rider's yard and she walked out because she was asked to sweep a yard. Even my friend says she wouldn't employ one as they all think they're managers when they have no actual experience. For equine therapy and working with children with autism you'd be better off getting involved with riding for the disabled, I have another friend who qualified as a RDA instructor in about six months and now runs a centre. She has no actual previous qualifications.

Seems a bit restrictive. Would be better with vet science if she can get in.

I don't think sports science is pointless at all but we do a lot of sport and can see the amount of people employed in it

I did English literature - now that really is pointless

Sorry just saw you had said her grades weren't good enough. Still think she could choose something with broader job opportunities.

I think she just thinks it will be a lovely way to spend three years I think that's as good a reason as any! Good luck to her.

Better to take a year out and do the right degree to put her in the right position than do any degree for the sake of going sooner. Good news though is I think very few Equine management graduates have to pay their student loans back!

Most professionals within the horse world see it as a waste of time , just a way of jollying away 3 years , she's better getting a degree in something relevant to what she wants to do , that can be used in wider areas of the working world

This was my degree course 20 years ago and I can safely say that it was a waste of time apart from 2 things - I proved I could learn to this level and I had the most fantastic 4 years at college!

Now working in a completely unrelated field but at the end of the day a degree is a degree.

Saying that I would do my damdest to make sure none of my dc did this at uni.

Or if she's v horsey and wants a practical job, looking at going straight into a racing yard, stud farm, sales company, competition yard, etc. I think it would be sensible to get the work experience now and try to line herself up for the course she really wants, even if it's another year out.

I doubt she'll want to take another year off but I'll speak to her about it.

Apparently the plan is to do a sports science degree then a physio masters

Why not a primary degree in physio then?

I don't know. She's set her heart on doing it this way.