So is this crazy?

[rainechyldes]

I've been in IT well since forever. Straight into university basically, and been working in the field since I was 20. Turned 40 this year. I've been saying the last few years that I wanted to do something new, (something more horse related) I like IT, but .. I'm also a bit tired of it after 2 decades.

So for my birthday, I woke up to a receipt on the table from my SO - full paid tuition and board to University for.. farrier sciences pf all things, and his blessing to go forth and learn. lol.

About as far from 'knowledgeable' as you can get in many aspects on the whole hoof thing - I maintain my barefoot horses in between farrier checkups, that's about it. So here I am seriously considering going back to school, (which is kind of frightening in of itself) and on top of it, becoming a farrier.

[Tuesday's Child]

That's amazing!! And way to go SO for doing something like that for you :)

[jengersnap]

I would LOVE to do that. I'm only in my first decade of an IT field, and while I enjoy it I still long to keep my hands busier. The weekends and afternoons at the track help :) Jump on it if you want to do it and see what happens. What an awesome gift!

[Ride2Dreams]

Incredible SO you have there! Jump at it, seriously!!

He is giving you the opportunity to grow and explore and reach for something more. You'd be silly not to dive right in and swallow all the fears down. Right now with the economy the way it is School is the perfect place to be. Do it.

[trubandloki]

Wow! I am so jealous. I am sure you will do great.

[xQHDQ]

Go for it!

Nothing to worry about: 1) School is already paid for; 2) You can always go back to IT, even in this economy - the farrier thing will be very interesting to any new IT manager you're interviewing with.

Good luck!

[bigyellowmoose]

I echo the jealousy, lol... I'm in tech support, looking to get out. Sloooowly weaning myself away from it. Have fun, and keep us updated :D

[Laurierace]

Just curious, how is your back? I can hardly pick out feet, no way I could be a farrier. Best of luck in your new career, Lord knows there are never too many good farriers.

[foundationmare]

....you are sooo blessed!

Go for it! Broaden your horizons!

[MunchkinsMom]

Wow, that is amazing. Your SO sounds like a keeper.

I say go for it,although the back health might be a factor.

I am also a 24 year IT veteran, and there are times when the long hours and stress are enough to make me tear my hair out. But it does help support my horse habit.

I did go to equine massage school for certification 8 years ago, and for a short time thought about working up enough clientele to give up the day job. That didn't happen (moving 1500 miles away, and not enough time to build the business), but I do a few clients here and there to help supplement my income.

I also do some free lance writing for equine publications, which also helps and is fun. I would like to do more of that (and write books, maybe in my retirement years).

Oh, I almost forgot to mention this. I was a dental lab technician for 10 years before going back to school for my IT degree, and made a big career change. What helped overcome any fears was the knowledge that I could fall back on the dental lab work if the IT jobs didn't pan out.

Wishing you all the best!

[rainechyldes]

My back is fine, I quite regularly stck several tons of hay by myself, among other things. so.. no issues with the whole bending over part. - the scary part of it is mainly going back to school, hoping I won't be the only one who isn't 18.. sigh:) I'm going to go for it, still think I'm nuts tho. lol

[pintopiaffe]

I am soooooooooooooo jealous.

I recently became unemployed after 20 years of working--10 each in two 'careers'. I would LOVE to be a farrier or barefoot trimmer, but there isn't really enough work around here to make a living. :(

[ThatScaryChick]

It looks like a wonderful opportunity just dropped in your lap! If it is something that you really want to do, I say go for it!

[rainechyldes]

My farrier stopped by today, and I spoke to him about it, we've known each other for years. He went through the same program, apparently he told my SO that I needed to go there, so my farrier was in on it:)

He told me flat out, that I was more then capable, and he said he fully expected to have me come work with him afterwards for my apprenticeship, if I chose to go that route. So I guess the SO and him had it all planned out. I'll be going in Jan 2010 - so I hve a few months to get used to the idea of being away from home for a bit, since I'll be heading to the States.

I'm not sure who will suffer more the SO or the kids.:) probably the SO, the kids like to make him twitch a lot:)

[SEPowell]

Sounds wonderful and what a kind SO. But what's IT?

[MunchkinsMom]

Sounds wonderful and what a kind SO. But what's IT?

Information Technology. Covers a wide range of jobs all involving computers and computer systems.

[Gloria]

Are you sure? Don't want to sound negative but farrier work is HARD work, and that back.... And you will probably experience a significant drop in your income for the first few years. IT remains one of the best paid jobs there is...

Well, if you still want it, I'd say go for it:)