Office workers seek new equine careers

A growing number of office-based workers and middle management, who have previously enjoyed horses as a hobby, are turning their backs on comfortable nine-to-five jobs in search of new challenges and the opportunity to launch their own businesses working with horses.

According to Equinenergy, a company specialising in career training for equine therapists, the first three months of 2004 has seen a major increase in the number of career professionals looking to retrain as equine sports therapists and “bodyworkers”.

Nicole Rombach, president of Equinenergy, believes that a growing understanding in the benefits of soft-tissue therapies has prompted horse enthusiasts to investigate complementary therapies and subsequently consider a career change.

“More and more owners are calling on qualified therapists to help deal with issues commonly associated in equine athletes. Many say they are so impressed by the results that many are now looking to train and qualify themselves,” says Rombach.

“Since January, we have been inundated with enquiries about our training programme – particularly our Equine Sports Massage Foundation courses, which is the first step on the ladder and qualifies you as an equine body worker (EBW).

“A significant number of applications are from individuals who are already well established in successful careers, such as teachers, sales executives, administrators and even members of the police force.

“Many have told us they are disillusioned with their routine jobs and have been looking to make a change and improve their quality of life by moving out of towns and cities and working for themselves in a job which provides the opportunity to work with horses.”

Registrations for Equinenergy courses, which are held at Writtle College in Essex and presented by top veterinarians and specialists, have risen by more than 18% compared to last year.

The centre offers students four levels of certification addressing all aspects of equine complementary healthcare. Based on the intensive EBW sports massage foundation course, the courses are all offered in modular form so students can combine studies with work, immediately integrating practical skills in their work environment.

As well as the equine sports massage courses, other subjects offered include gait abnormalities, equine biomechanics, principles of saddle fitting and farrier science, intensive anatomy, stretching and rehabilitative therapies, principles of dentistry and nutrition.

For more information visit: www.equinenergy.com