Horse Care Apprenticeship at 33.....

[JParkson]

Hi everyone,

I'm 33 and 2.5 months into a Horse Care and Riding apprenticeship! I've never worked with horses before, nor had any great time in the saddle. (previously worked in offices, retail or been SAHM). I love them to bits though, and have always dreamt of having one of my own. I had a few lessons as a child, then begged rides in exchange for work in more recent years. They fizzled out once I had my girls though.

I'm full of questions both daft and not so daft.

Like what knickers are good to ride in, and can anyone recommend some good socks (not too expensive) for both bombing about in wellies, and easy to switch to (snug) jockey boots?

At the moment I have Next welly socks, but they get very, er, damp, which makes changing boots fun. I've tried regular socks, and although they're ok in the jockey boots, I'm slip-sliding about in my wellies

Also are there any boots out there which are versatile for both yard work and riding?

And now for the not so daft..... how the heck can I manage my time on the yard more effectively?! I'm struggling like no tomorrow, but feel as though I'm not getting much support from the yard owner - I receive regular criticism, or it's inferred that what has been achieved so far is not acceptable. I've received little praise (one comment in 2.5 months).

I am on the yard full time in the working week (weekends are covered by other staff), usually there's another girl there in the morning (she's on holiday this week). I'm on my own 3 afternoons a week. There might be another apprentice starting soon.

I've tried to speak to the owner this week, asked for help and advice, but have been told that I can do everything, I can identify post-action where I went wrong, so therefore I'm fine and can figure it out for myself......!). I often don't take my full lunch, and I struggle to finish on time too.

However, I can now walk very quickly, muck out all but one of our stables in under 12 minutes, I average about 6 minutes per haynet. But somewhere, something isn't working.

Any hints, tips or advice are most heartily welcome!

Knickers - Bridget Jones ones all the way! Look for seam free or sports knickers

Socks - maybe wear normal knee high socks but when in wellies have welly socks over them?

There are some country type boots such as Dublin river ones which you can yard work and ride in but it depends - they don't give me a good enough feel so I swap boots for yard and riding

I don't ride in my yard boots. For yard work you need neoprene boots rather than wellies. Muck boot Derwents are the business. Change to ride.

Ooh thank you - um, how are neoprene boots different/better than wellies?

Hi JP, nothing to add but I'm in the same boat!

A little bit behind you as I'll hopefully be starting an apprenticeship in September, I'm 32 and a single mum to 3DC. I've ridden from the age of 5 until 17, then had a break and started again 6 months ago.

I'm very excited but feel so nervous.

I've got the Dublin River boots, they're great but quite chunky and heavy, they also rip my ankles to shreds .

I'm going to be doing my BHS First Aid and Safeguarding Children training/tests soon and then I want to start on stage 1.

Good luck

Neoprene boots are meant to be super warm, so you can wear normal socks and not have to bother changing in and out of thick socks. Not sure if they're supposed to be more resistant to muck as well?

How is your apprenticeship structured - who assesses you? Who's responsible for your learning? As it doesn't sound, from what you say, that the yard owner is doing much to help. Be careful they aren't just using you as cheap labour... sadly there are plenty of people in the equine sector who would. Are you being overseen by a college or similar, is there anyone you can approach for support?