The love of horses alone is not enough if you want to make a living in the equestrian industry, said Sarah Auchard, director of Valley View Farm, a non-profit equestrian center in Bellville.
Equestrian careers also require specialized skills and business knowledge.
“My master’s degree is actually in business,” Auchard told the Mount Vernon News. “And I have been a professional in the equine business for over 20 years.”
Last month, Valley View Farm launched the Career Pathways program for students to obtain professional certification in equine massage therapy, riding instruction and equine business management. Winter quarter classes begin Jan. 4 and are open to adults and high school juniors and seniors.
Courses that can lead to certifications in farriery, horse training, equine nutrition and equine dentistry will be added soon.
Students can enroll in certification programs that take from one to three years based on the specialty. The courses have been accredited by the Academy of Equine Practitioners and Professionals.
“Once you receive certification, you are qualified to go out in the field and practice,” Auchard said. “The level of classes we are going to be teaching are going to be on par with a community college or a bachelor-level program.”
An estimated 85% of people who work in the equine industry are self-employed, Auchard noted. That is why she wanted to include business in the course offerings.
“Every single person who comes through our program has to take the business management class, the entrepreneurship class, the marketing class and a basic accounting class,” she said.
In the entrepreneurship class, students put together a business plan and learn how to complete the forms needed to apply for their business to be recognized by the Secretary of State. When they graduate from the program, they should be ready to run their business.
There should be plenty of customers out there waiting.
“Ohio is the seventh most horse-populous state,” Auchard said. “About 20% of Ohio’s horse population is in Knox County and the surrounding area. But the number of people we have certified to provide services in this area is plenty slim.”
