What do you do all day?

[harv525]

Hi there, am sitting here in my office (ssshhh don't tell!) wishing I didn't have to work and could be out all day playing with the ponies! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

So I was wondering, what types of careers do other horsey people have? Do you like it?

I'll start, I work in advertising, and do I like it? not really, but it allows me to pay for the 4 legged loves in my life!

How 'bout you?

[harv525]

Hi there, am sitting here in my office (ssshhh don't tell!) wishing I didn't have to work and could be out all day playing with the ponies! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

So I was wondering, what types of careers do other horsey people have? Do you like it?

I'll start, I work in advertising, and do I like it? not really, but it allows me to pay for the 4 legged loves in my life!

How 'bout you?

[Jasmine]

I'm a geneticist. I love it. It's super flexible. I can come and go whenever I need to. It's challenging, and *very* low stress. I love all of my co-workers.

[cowboylogic]

I used to have a sale barn and teach etc- then I wanted to be an amateur again- so I started working for a horse magazine- then started my own magazine- it lets me have a flexible schedule to ride, etc- but I actually work more now then I did before and have less time- guess thats the fun of being self employedhttp://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[county]

I farm raising horses, cattle, hay, corn, oats, and soybeans. Also have a small gravel pit business here on the farm and I work part time in a machine shop.

[alabama]

I'm a computer tech for a bank's Investment division.

[Stable Boy]

feed salesman

[LSM1212]

Internal Audit Coordinator for a QSR company

[TeddyToo]

I'm a Graphic Designer and work for an in-house ad agency. I am lucky... have lots of creative freedom, a very laid-back boss, and fun coworkers.

My dream is to work for a horsey publication! Cowboylogic, if you ever need someone to do layouts, give me a shout... http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[JoZ]

I'm a database marketing manager for a major advertising/marketing firm. Best part is that although I live two states away from my office, I happen to live 10 miles away from my client. So when I joined the company in March, they agreed to my working at home rather than having to move to California! Since I rent a room on the 110-acre farm where I keep all my horses, I can take "lunch" at the feed store, cleaning a stall, or just sharing an apple with a four-footed friend!

[2hsmommy]

I'm a crossing guard for 2 elementary schools. I love it. Great hours as I've got to get the kids up and take/pick up from school. Also give me a sense that I do good for them and the community. Shhh, don't tell but the weather can kinda stink.....But then I don't work the summer. More time in the saddle that way.

[Applesauce]

I used to be a deputy sheriff which I LOVED but it didn't give me a lot of time to be consistant with my horses to ride and show. I retired early and my husband and I bought a farm where I work full time operating a boarding/lesson/training barn. It's hard work but I love it more than my old job and of course can ride when ever I want. No regrets here!

[The Pie]

System's Analyst - its pays the bills and supports my habit.

[Daydream Believer]

Green Coffee Sr. Financial Analyst working for a major US coffee maker right now...#3 in the nation. I've done cost accounting and general accounting type jobs for years. I hold a CPA certification as well.

My dream is in about a year to go full time with horses and make it my ONLY job. Right now I'm running a breeding operation and working full time.. Exhausting! I have to run the stallion 2.5 hours one way to be collected tomorrow a.m. or this evening after work.

[Skeezix]

I am a assistant/secretary/general factotam for a very busy law office. For the most part, I enjoy the work I do, but the stress gets a little much at times. My critters help keep my sanity--I escape to the barn every day after work http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[CB/TB]

I work 11 hrs a week (SO STRESSFUL!!!!) at a little country library . I'm there now. Things are usually very quiet . Not a lot to do after checking books, etc in, processing items to be returned to other libraries or coming here, shelf-reading and helping our patrons. I'm also an artist, specializing in pastels. I do art shows and accept comission work. Have the horses and goats at home, a few dogs and a husband(not necessarily in that order!)

[onelanerode]

I'm a copy editor for a small magazine publisher. I really like my job, but at some point I'd like to work at an equine magazine. It would be nice to put all my years of riding and caring for horses (not to mention my horse-related university courses) to good use. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

I get to play on COTH when it's slow at work, but I'm usually scarfing up news at msnbc.com or cnn.com when I'm not actually editing.
I am a news junkie and I hate not knowing what's going on in the world. I am petless and horseless at the moment, which is a very sad state of affairs, but I plan on changing that very soon. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Somantu]

I'm a creative director.

Today I'm at a photoshoot. We just finished lunch and are shooting shoes (my favourite!!!!)
I'm working with a great photographer and stylist. We laugh most of the day and sometimes surf the net looking for funny pics.

Although not every day is this good, my job is pretty sweet http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[EventingJ]

Med Lab Tech, because I had no idea what to do with my BS in Bio!

Would love to be a Jasmine's shoes though

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Jasmine - what kind of geneticist?

I do research (in neurobiology) - and it is very stressful right now (there's no funding). I love the challenge and the benchwork. I come here on breaks from doing experiments and writing grants/papers/checking e mail.

I don't have internet access at home which is probably a good thing.

[tbtula]

I work for my dad's limousine service. It's only myself and my dad that are here full time, it's great, I get all the horsey time off I need! But sometimes the joys of working with family makes me want to do something else http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Jasmine]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DressageGeek:
Jasmine - what kind of geneticist?

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm in the UW-Madison core facillity. I run three big DNA sequencers, soon to be four. We get DNA from all over the world, but mostly the University of Wisconsin system schools. Mostly, I don't know what I'm working with, and I just try to get it to work. I don't have to deal with the grant writing, papers, or worry about funding. We're self-funded. We charge researchers, and that pays our way. Plus, since I still technically work for the University, I still get State Benifits! It's perfect!

[karassa]

computer programmer. Alas, with the economy sucking, I am currently making web pages. I'm bored out of my skull. I want to get back into school and get into personal finance or investment banking. (hey, the markets are only open from 9:30-4:00, sounds like awesome hours to me! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif)

[eponacelt]

Professional tree-hugging, dirt worshiper...

I work for a non-profit, regional river conservation group, and I work primarily with landowners on installing Best Management Practices and permanently protecting their land through conservation easements.

Frankly, it sounds alot better on paper than it is. Love my job, but I spend an inordinate amount of time in my office instead of out in the field.

[MistyBlue]

Feed, muck, clean, laundry, feed again, ride, wash horses, run errands, go ride other people's horses, come home, feed again, cook dinner, clean some more, turn in horses and pick paddocks, argue with hubby about what to watch on TV, make coffee, help with homeowrk, read a book or come online, argue with hubby that I'm online, go back down to the barn for night time tuck in, come up to the house and tuck daughter in, pour another cup of coffee and watch hubby doze off on the couch, come back online until eyes get gritty (or read a book) and go to bed. Up at 5 am the next morning to start all over again.
Oh, and now I;m painting my barn. Ooo, exciting, huh?

[CdnJumper]

I'm a lending officer at a major Canadian bank. I enjoy my job for the most part but it's not really where i pictured my life...

[LostFarmer]

Structural Engineer working for myself in a small sweat shop. Off hours I help on a 45 cow family owned dairy, farm 200 to 300 acres depending on the amount of rented ground (barley, alfalfa and grass hay). I am the irrigator during the summer and do the feeding during the summer. I also help ride range for a local cattle ranch. Yup, we stay busy and love it.

[Aggie4Bar]

By day, I am a civil engineer that designs large diameter (24" - 120") water transmission lines. I'm also heavily involved in project management. The business group for whom I work revolves around politics moreso than engineering, and the only reason I'm still here is for the paycheck.

My degree is actually in chemical engineering, so by night, there's the horsey thing, and then I'm eternally applying and sending resumes off in an effort to get back into oil & gas, preferably upstream piping and flow assurance. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

When bored, I CoTH and peruse either Fool.com or Investors.com. I'm strongly considering returning to school for an MBA in finance.

[barbarachloejosie]

I design and do page layout for school text books at a Boston publisher. I'm on a big Spanish book right now. I've been doing this for over 20 years with few complaints.

[pds]

Executive with a commercial magazine printer.

[macmtn]

I manage the stitching department of a custom awning and commercial tent rental business. Days. Then I go home and do tack repair, blanket wash and repair and sew safety orange for horses for hunting season. Mr Macmtn is a 'house husband' (a carpal tunnel disabled former sailmaker)...who cooks http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif...and cleans http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/winkgrin.gif...(Ladies-YES he IS the perfect husband... http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif)He is the ONLY reason I can work two full time jobs... http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif
And-occasionally-I get to share a beer with Hizzhonor the Not!! Spoiled Arabian

[alabama]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by karassa:
(hey, the markets are only open from 9:30-4:00, sounds like awesome hours to me! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Just a word to the wise, if you're going into sales in investments - it's a cut throat market and if you don't make headway fast, you don't last. The joke here is, "don't even bother to learn their name 'til they've been here at least a year."

[2Traks]

Senior Account Manager for an advertising firm. The work is stressful but I really like my coworkers and my hours are fairly flexible as long as I get everything done.

[Pocket Pony]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> I want to get back into school and get into personal finance or investment banking. (hey, the markets are only open from 9:30-4:00, sounds like awesome hours to me! )
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Haa haaa haa, hee hee hee, ho ho...that is the funniest thing I've read all day. If you are seriously thinking about getting into finance / IB, you need to do some more research. Sure the market hours are great. But the WORKING hours are much, much greater than that. Let's see. When I worked for an IB, the analysts (that's where you start) worked, oh, I don't know...18 hours a day maybe? Sheesh, I'd come in and they'd be catching naps under their desks during a 24-hour shift! Then if you can hack it for two years or so, maybe you'll be asked to stay as an associate. Then you could be lucky and work 14 hours a day. After a few years of that, you'll either get promoted or "move on"...now you're down to 12 hours a day. It is a pretty crappy way to make a living, if you ask me. Sure there's lots of money, but no free time to enjoy it.

Ok, now on to what do I do all day...

Wake up, feed dogs, feed horses, clean pastures, water/drag arena, ride one horse, feed lunch, eat lunch, ride second horse, run errands, feed dogs, do other chores (weed-eating, clean house, laundry), feed horses, eat, take a shower, watch TV, go to bed!!!

(And of course I'm popping in to check on COTH throughout the day also)

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Corporate lawyer. I needed to make enough money to pay for my horses but now I work too many hours to enjoy them! I ride early in the morning and the work long hours in the office and post on OTTH when sitting on boring conference calls. I WILL NOT be happy if video phones ever catch on....but since I'm probably not the only one surfing the web while working--they probably never will! Opps gotta get back to work.

[Prairie]

I'm a Medical Technologist and work in the Blood Bank/Hematology Department of a medium sized hospital. I also work a few nights a week feeding horses at the barn where I board my horse.

[rileyiscuter]

I am a vet school professor. Teach grad students molecular genetics. Mainly do basic research on infectious diseases. Also clone things and make diagnostic tests. it is a great life. Ponies are 5 minutes away in the back yard. Did the same thing in a medical school first, but much more stressful. Auburn is a great place (don't tell anyone).

[evenstar]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">quote:
I want to get back into school and get into personal finance or investment banking. (hey, the markets are only open from 9:30-4:00, sounds like awesome hours to me! )



Haa haaa haa, hee hee hee, ho ho...that is the funniest thing I've read all day. If you are seriously thinking about getting into finance / IB, you need to do some more research. Sure the market hours are great. But the WORKING hours are much, much greater than that. Let's see. When I worked for an IB, the analysts (that's where you start) worked, oh, I don't know...18 hours a day maybe? Sheesh, I'd come in and they'd be catching naps under their desks during a 24-hour shift! Then if you can hack it for two years or so, maybe you'll be asked to stay as an associate. Then you could be lucky and work 14 hours a day. After a few years of that, you'll either get promoted or "move on"...now you're down to 12 hours a day. It is a pretty crappy way to make a living, if you ask me. Sure there's lots of money, but no free time to enjoy it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Pocket Pony tells it straight! I work in investment accounting and do some related operational and regulatory reporting work for my company's Treasury Department. We have flex time, so I normally get to leave each day at 4PM(except for the periods when I need to work 10-12 hour days, but there aren't a whole lot of those). The guys I deal with at Bank of America who are on the other side of our trades laugh when I ask them if they're going to be out of the office by 6pm.
And don't forget, it's an international market. It never closes.

[Chef Jade]

I am an Asset Manager for Commercial Real Estate Loans. My company is great. I generally work 8:30-5:30 with an hour and a half a lunch to go ride. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Most of my co-workers & boss know that I do this on an "occasional" basis. Little do they know it has become an almost every day occurance. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif As long as I stay ahead of my work its fine.

The work itself is OK, but the pay is very good. However, living in So Cal, I STILL can't afford to have a horse without the financial help of my wonderful parents.

[CanterQueen]

Sr. Accountant for a government contractor.

[BarbB]

I'm an auto broker, work about 12-14 hours a day and ride mostly late evenings.

In a previous life I spent 20+ years working for a govt contractor and had 40 hour weeks and lots of time off.
That's when I got addicted to the horses......now I'm just your normal addict....keep on whether it works or not!

[icicle333]

i design and install window boxes and container gardens for commercial and residential properties...i LOVE it!

my only complaint is having to smile and be nice when a client asks me something like "Now, do i have to water these?" http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

[CBoylen]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">wishing I didn't have to work and could be out all day playing with the ponies! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Are you sure? Do you get to sit down and/or eat something during the day?
For my day, "playing with the ponies", I do the following in the sequence of my usual day:
Groom/tack up/ride/clean up and wash 2-3 horses.
Bring in, groom and/or wash additional 1-2 horses. Hay those horses. Sweep aisle of 12 stall barn. Wrap legs, apply any needed medicine. Clean tack, consisting generally of 5-7 bridles, 4-7 saddles, assorted girths, martingales, and draw reins, plus the boss's chaps. Put in wash/ start dryer. Tidy tack room. Put away grooming equipment/ tidy barn/ grooming stalls/ wash stall. Answer phone 50 billion times http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif. Hay 9 horses. Pick out 9 stalls. Water 9 horses. Rake two shedrows. Sweep aisle again. Dust tack trunks, numbering 30 http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif. Dust stall ledges. Sweep feed room and tack room. Feed 9 horses, involving 10 different supplements. Close up, and/or turnout.
Add into that the non daily but constant chores of refilling supplement containers, hauling feed bags to the shedrows, cobwebbing, refilling spray bottles and hoof oil cans, trimming, mane pulling, packing for shows, doing adequan shots ect., worming, holding for farrier, holding for vet, extra medical treatment, ect., ect., ect. , not to mention what we do at shows.

It doesn't LOOK like much in print, but it's enough to sometimes envy those that work in air conditioning and sit in a chair http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by C.Boylen:

It doesn't LOOK like much in print, but it's enough to sometimes envy those that work in air conditioning and sit in a chair http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I did the horses for a couple of years before law school---it is hard work but I do miss it. I don't miss being cold during the winter but I'd go back to doing it full time in a heart beat. Now if I could only win the lottery to get rid of my 6 digit student loan debt....

Cool thread--a lot of you have really interesting jobs!

[ponygrl]

currently a pharmacy student. and will be for the next 4 years.

two days a week I work at the state veterinary diagnostic lab and one afternoon a week I clean/feed at a 14 stall barn.

[TheOrangeOne]

Student. It rocks. I'm enjoying not working while I still can. My job is to study my butt off so that when I get my MB I can find a job with decent hours (HAH) and decent pay (HAH again, I know I'll be poor and haggard and sleeping in my desk chair in Hong Kong or wherever else the old people don't want to work for a couple years, but that's temporary.) After the initial 100 hour work weeks, I plan to build the farm of my dreams, which involves little to no work on my part. YES, ladies and gentlemen, I shall be that ammy that everyone really wants to find a reason to hate http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif Oh well...dream world. I might get hit by a car on the way home from the barn tomorrow. Always ride your best horse first http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Reynard Ridge]

Retired from 15 year marketing career to manage 130 acre farm and care for two wee children (ages 3 and 1). Farm is 60 acres of hay, 300 laying hens, a meat chicken operation during the summer, a huge organic garden (mostly asparagus, a spring crop) and we started making maple syrup last winter.

I also write a column for a local newspaper (agricultural news) and am working on finishing up my first book (topic $700 Pony; if you are unaware of this great publishing event - coming this spring! - is only because you haven't been paying attention to the million or so references I make to it each and every time I post http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif).

And there you have it. I never have time to actually ride, so not exactly sure what this book will end up being about http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif.

[Phaxxton]

For the next four months, I'm a law student.

For the two months after that, I'm studying for the bar exam.

For the month after that, I'll be on vacation.

After that, I'll be joining the real world as an intellectual property attorney... Well, if my book deal doesn't launch before then. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Lily]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by karassa:
I want to get back into school and get into personal finance or investment banking. (hey, the markets are only open from 9:30-4:00, sounds like awesome hours to me! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That is the funniest thing I've read here in a long time. Others who have talked about finance jobs before me have it spot on: the markets never close. And you will hardly ever sleep. You can earn a good salary and bonus but you will have no time to spend what you make. It's definitely not for everyone. And it's not as glamorous as it seems.

There are certainly jobs in the financial services sector that don't involve crazy hours- but they are not in the fields you mentioned.

[buff4948]

X-ray/Mammo Tech. If I have to work it's not bad. But I really should have been born independantly wealthy.

[baileygreyhorse]

I'm a HS English teacher, mostly ninth grade. I love my job, at least the part dealing with the kids. The meetings with other teachers and parents I could do without. My day runs from 7:30-3:00 so it's still light enough at the end of the day in Dec. for me to ride. Not too bad. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[snbess]

Marketing communication here. I love it! But I love my pony more. Generally, I'm lucky in that as long as I get my hours in, I can flex a little here and there to make sure I get my rides in after work and before sunset. And when the occasional clinic falls mid-week (as they have all summer this year), I can go in really early and bug out early to ride. And it does pay for my passion. But I really do enjoy it most of the time, too. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Sandra

[McLeanHunterRider]

Student at Sweet Briar College. It rocks. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif Unfortunately, I'll only be there for 4 more years. I'm planning to major in Business Management and become an accountant. I'd like to do a job that earns a lot of money so I can ride horses on the side. I like numbers, and I'm very organized. I heard that the hours are pretty constant (ie 9-5), and that it's fairly low-stress. Any fellow accountants on this board? I'd appreciate any comments. I'm taking Financial Accounting this semester. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[VWScully]

Environmental Scientist for a large Engineering company. When I'm not doing that, I'm acting in TV shows and commercials and somewhere between those things, I have time to do Graduate studies. I'm working on PhD Proposals this Fall and hope to go to UBC next Sept. (if my Proposal doesn't suck http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/sigh.gif).

[Aggie4Bar]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by McLeanHunterRider:
I'd like to do a job that earns a lot of money so I can ride horses on the side. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif
We all want that. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[CharliesMom]

Special Educaton teacher working on my M.Ed. and night and riding whenever I can.

[faraway46]

I own an export company specializing in dried fruits (mainly raisins). I have a vineyard and dehidrating ovens.
And for those who think that being your own boss means being able to ride more, work less and skip work when you want 'cause no one will fire you ,here's my answer:
hahahahahaha hehehehe hahahaha!!!!! http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif
Almost a good a joke as the limited work hours of a financial analist!!!

[RNHorsemom]

Emergency Room R.N., and I work 3, and occasionally 4 12 hour shifts per week...hubby or grown son takes care of horses in the evenings I have to work, but having 4 days off a week ROCKS! I, along with I am sure many others on this list, am praying daily to hit the lottery...and be with the horses all day every day!
Lynn

[Pandarus33]

I used to be the head administrator for a fantasy NASCAR driving school. Gave it up eight years ago to be a full-time riding instructor and to raise my two kids, now 13 & 16. I still sub for our county school system. Going back to work full-time in January. Not enough students and too many bills! I'll probably get back into banking or retail management.

[cowboylogic]

faraway46 - I know...there have been quite a few days I wanted to be fired!! LOL
I ask my assistants to do it- but the silly dogs just look at me and go back to sleephttp://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Teddytoo- email me sometime.

[maudeflanders]

I'm a grad student studying lexicography (making dictionaries).

I read until I bleed.

Then I go ride and teach the occasional beginner lesson.

Then I try to find work as a copyeditor.

Then I fall asleep.

I like it. I just hope it leads somewhere...

[username]

permanent student, of the "now I lay me down to rest, a pile of books upon my chest. if I should die before I wake, that's one less test I'll have to take!" variety. and I work nights. sleep is a distant memory. horses are a future dream. spend my "free" time working out how to pay for the horses' "life of Riley" and maintaining their lifestyle.

[luveventing]

I am a cytogeneticist at a hospital. hours arent bad 8-430, can ride before work or after. especially nice since work, home and barn are all within 10 minutes of each other. I just started my Masters degree, so that adds to the fun since I commute to MD once a week. ends up being the horses day off. I teach lessons, train and ride pretty much every hour I am not at work or sleeping (which isnt a lot!) I have done the full time riding thing, but I think I will always at least work part time. I HATE winters, so I do much prefer to be in a warm lab during those days. the summer on the other hand, its hard to sit in here all day, but I do have lots of time before and after to get done what I want with the extended daylight. again...winter is another story!! I hate gettting out of work and its already getting dark!!! ugh. I am dreading it already!!!!!

[sspry]

After being a Preschool Director for the last several years, licensed for 165 children, I am now an Alpaca Farm Manager!! I love it. I make a lot less but am soo much happier. Now I just have to figure out how I can afford to keep the horse my wonderful friend is willing to free lease to me! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[frisbee32]

My degree is in Social Work. In my first job I developed and put in place an annonymous HIV counseling and testing program. Back in the early 90's annonymous testing was really big so I was a social worker that drew blood on those that thought they were infected (and many unfortunately were). My second job was working with the homeless families in Baltimore City. So after 6 not so uplifting years I came into my current position as Director of Volunteer Services in a hospital in Baltimore City.

[CrouchingCheese]

McLeanHunterRider: I work with accountants, they seem rather happy, and work from about 8-4:30 or 5. They all have kids and an active social life (we've actually bumped into each other at the movies), and although it can be stressful talking to clients sometimes, they all come to work with smiles on their faces, and are pretty nice all day.

As for my job, I am an Administrative Assistant, which basically means I'm one of the interns they have to do the stuff they don't want, like mailing things, organizing, setting up things and the like. I work in an office, from 8-3:30 or 4, and I have about a 40 minute commute. I love my job because I've worked in fast food and barns (I know, not that much experience) but really enjoy the heating in the winter, air conditioning in the summer, and best of all, I don't have to talk to clients! (I'm not much of a people person on the phone). I also go to school full time, so my week is school monday/wednesday (9:30-5pm), and work tuesday, thursday and friday. I don't get that much money, but I get paid better than most people I know of my age. The horses get my attention at night, since they are still technically my parents, they take care of them. I do the excercising at night....don't know what I'll do this winter, though...

[lee.]

Program Manager for a statewide 501(c)3 & 501(c)4 enviro/political organization that works to elect conservation-minded candidates and take down the duds already in office. And we help little orgs like land trusts and watershed groups to use their members more effectively, to work on tackling issues in a more proactive manner, and to build coalitions to make the conservation community stronger in our state.

[IronwoodFarm]

Licensed insurance broker and consultant. My main area of expertise is mental health malpractice, although I also make group presentations for benefit enrollments for insurance carriers. The later is fun because I get to go all over the place. It definitely beats dealing with malpractice claims and risk management issues.

I basically work part time, so I can do things with the horses and the farm, too.

Then, of course, I am on-line at COTH and doing goodness knows what horse related activities, too. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif In fact, I need to leave for Costco so I can pick up the drinks for talloaks' ISR/OLDNA inspection next week. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

[Duffy]

I go into debt financing my start up marketing agency. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Snowbird]

OK! I'll bite, I own my own farm and thought this was the perfect world. 75 acres wide open spaces, green pastures and dogs and horses frolicking all day. That's all that get's to frolick. I spend my day opening bills, paying bills doing the bookkeeping and worrying how I am going to pay the pills and how I am going meet all the deadlines.

I was a psych major in college and trained in fine arts at the Art Students League and National Academy. I did all the glamorous exotic things that girls dream about, took Fashion Design at Parsons and Traphagen. Taught dancing for Arthur Murray, had a stint on 7th Avenue doing the catwalk modeling and some photography modeling. Even a TV Commercial back when TV was only on for two hours a week and there was one channel.

Here I am living in sweat pants and sweat shirts, if it's hot t-shirts schlepping around in cloddy boots or barefoot. I would guess this all means I have lost my mind and I'm totally delusional and escaped being locked up because my family forgives me.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Snowbird - you went to Art Students' League in NYC??? So did I when I was in jr jigh and high achool (Saturdays and summers - intaglio and drawing). That was when I was going to be a famous writer/illustrator/equestrienne. I started college thinking I'd dump it all and go back to NYC (generating infarctions in both parents, I suspect), but then I woke up one day and thought, "I really want to do research in biochemistry." One could blame that on mind altering substances except I wasn't taking any.

Now I study them. The bad thing about what I do is that you're always tied to it, like a barn: I'm in every day, even when I'm sick (my rule is, if I amokay to work a full day I can still go to the barn). I have a small lab, so that I am still at the bench and very actively doing research. The other bad thing, of course, is that the US used to be a major power when it came to scientific research - that's history now. Funding is zero. Guess it doesn't matter as govt types don't listen to us science types anyway (witness Katrina and things like global warming and energy resources).

The good part about it is that I make enough to pay for a horse (though academe is not well paid), I am always excited about what I do, I get to mentor students (which I love, and thankfully my teaching is team taught so no big classes of 300 pre meds). I have colleagues all over the world and I don't have to dress up (now that I have tenure, I just wear nice slacks for seminars, I go to meetings and even review panels in jeans).

One of the best things, when I have reading for a grant or for a paper, or I am reviewing rseearch grants, I take my horse and we go into a pasture, and he is grazing peacefully and I am also at peace...I just wish the people who reviewed my grants would do the same thing. It really puts you in a very receptive frame of mind.

[Snowbird]

Yep! After I gave up being a model because I didn't want to the things a girl needed to do to make the big time, and my feet hurt in stilettos. Then I went to NYU and became part of the Bohemians the the "real" Greenwich Village and I was going to be the world's greatest portarit painter of horses. I even believed that when we bought the first barn in West Orange. I thought I would sit and paint and the barn ran itself. What a joke on me that was.

My paints have dried up in the tubes in the beautiful studio my husband built for me. I wistfully look at my easel with unfinished pictures on cracking canvas.

I spend my time doing what I do the worst, typing and bookkeeping. I was so bad that a friend of my mother's had to teach me how to file. I am totally unqualified because all my education and training was in totally esoteric and abstract logic in order to be a painter.

BUT...I have to say I love it all, the smell of manure, the whinny of a horse and their eyes. I think it is such a gift to watch little kids when they feel the first thrill of flight over crossed rails. To watch them gain confidence and start to trust their judgment. The adults who had the horse dream and now finally can afford to learn.

Their thrill and their pleasure is so much greater than those riding million dollar horses trained to do everything for the unskilled rider who just needs to sit there and look pretty.

[Duffy]

Snowbird - you had to go ruin a lovely post with your last statement! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[FoxChaser]

What a lot of talented people we have on here! I'm surprised how many of us are in science. I manage a research lab for a university. I headed off to school to be an equine vet, but switched over to a BS in animal science, then on to work toward a masters in vet science. I quit a thesis shy of completing that goal and have been at my job ever since (8 years). I like it just fine and am fortunate to work for a boss who understands that my horses are my children, therefore if I'm late due to waiting on the vet/ farrier/ hay guy, no biggie. Gotta love that http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

[vero-dressage]

McLeanHunterRider:

I am a CPA and I can tell you that the accouting career is a great financial choice, and the work enjoyable if you like that kind of thing. BUT, the hours, etc. are totally dependent on what track you take. When I did my two years in public practice, right out of college, I worked 80+ hours a week. During tax season and audit crunch time, it was seven days a week, for weeks on end. I did it to get my experience requirements for the CPA exam, then went into controllership for private industry. Much better $$ and hours. Finally got to a point where I started my own small practice, sole-owner deal. THAT has been great and allowed me to focus much more time on my horses.

Good luck - financial is the guts of the whole thing, if you can get through that (mine was three semesters worth) you'll be fine.

[Snowbird]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Their thrill and their pleasure is so much greater than those riding million dollar horses trained to do everything for the unskilled rider who just needs to sit there and look pretty. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

What's the matter with this statement? I watched a little girl in her back yard trying to ride a dressage test using buckets for the letters. I am certain her dreams of what might be some day are more vivid and take her outside of her own world further than that of the kid who actually get's to live the dream on the perfect horse.

Don't you think that dreams of what might be are more perfect than even perfection can be? Haven't you ever looked forward to a party or and event and then when it was really happening you were not thrilled any more?

I think in dreams or imagination the world is a wonderful place that doesn't always match the reality when you get there. What I enjoy is giving young people the dream of what might be. When I learned to ski that little bump on the beginner slope felt as good as if it were the Alps. Flight over snow, flight over fences and flights of fancy are all equally joyous.

We don't need to remind them that it will never happen for them do we?

[Seahorsefarmtobe]

I sit in a stockbrokerage office and surf COTH and the newswires all day - esp. now...w/ the disaster. Can't get the animals off of my mind! Can one experience PTSD w/out actually being in the affected area?

[Duffy]

Uggg...Ok - I'll answer your question.

1) How do you know that horse is trained to do everything?
2) How do you know it's an unskilled rider on it?
3) How can you have a clue as to what they feel, i.e., their thrill or their pleasure.

I know you meant well, but sometimes it just comes out wrong. I'm all for the kids/adults that scape (hey - I've definitely been there) to be able to ride at all. But, to say that they derive more pleasure than a person who's blessed with more money and/or less skill is not right.

[Snowbird]

My opinion is that a little bit of pleasure for some one whose doesn't have much pleasure is more important than someone who lives a life which all pleasures so that the sensation is not unique.

A dip of ice cream any flavor for a kid who can rarely afford to waste money on ice cream is a real treat. A dip of ice cream to someone who can have it whenever they want in whatever flavor is not so thrilled.

For heaven's sake I said I think in abstractions and I think that a dream is the most valuable thing we can share with someone.

You don't agree Fine! Retract it.

[McLeanHunterRider]

vero-dressage, please check your Private Messages. Thanks! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Lazy Palomino Hunter]

I'm also a student at Sweet Briar College (psych major/business minor here!). I LOVE it! My schedule this semester seems particularly awesome, because I have these fantastically HUGE breaks between every class (I'm taking 17 credits and it still worked out that way).

Eventually I'll go off to grad school to get my PhD in either behavior or organizational psych. Hopefully I'll graduate and- here is where the dreaming starts haha- get a job making TONS of money so I can get one of the aforementioned million dollar horses all I have to do is sit on and smile.

I'd also like to own a dog boarding kennel and teach training classes in my spare time.

A really gorgeous, sweet, smart, independently wealthy husband who threw fistfuls of money at me to spend on horses would be a nice plus, too. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif At least I'm honest!

I don't think I'll bet money on that last one.

In all seriousness, I would like to own a dog boarding and training facility and spend all my extra money on my horse.

[Duffy]

I just think that both rich and poor people have dreams, Snowbird.

[KSAQHA]

Foxchaser said <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> I headed off to school to be an equine vet, but switched over to a BS in animal science, </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Me too. I planned to be an AI technician (was certified), however, after graduation I got married, had kids, and lost all desire to continue with school (would cut into horse time). Then, a few years back I stumbled into my current position as Sales and Purchasing Coordinator for a software company. Computers and my co-workers bore me unto death, but it supports the horse habit. Fortunately, I have an indoor and do a little training and lessons on the side. I've already warned the hubby I'm quitting my day job at the end of the decade and it will be strictly horses, then. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

[sprucie]

I'm almost too embarassed to reply to this thread, but I work in retail sales as a paint department manager, and do some color consultations on the side. The main thing I like about it is that I work about 10 minutes from home, and get to work with my son. Other than that it's a horrible job, and I hate dealing with the public, especially the citiots that have taken over the area http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_mad.gif! It does sort of pay the bills, and it makes me appreciate my horses even more. They are also essential to stress relief after I've gotten yelled at by all the customers who think they are sooo much better than me because they work in the city http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif. Hopefully I'll be moving soon, and will be able to open up a full-time boarding facility, and not have to go back.

[Holly'er Than Thou]

When I was younger, my husband and I both worked in the business world. We managed (I don't know how, I know I wouldn't have the energy to go thru it now)to both work full time jobs, get our Masters' degrees, and take care of our horses who lived a good 50 minutes away from us. I showed and we even did some breeding. We did have a helper who did the horses once per day, morning or evening, depending on our schedules. He was a godsend. We eventually bought the place we have now and brought the horses home.

After I got my Masters, I was a child & family therapist in private practice, which was really flexible and allowed for almost all the time I wanted and needed for the horses. I did that for quite awhile and then I "retired" a few years ago after getting burned out. Thankfully, my husband, who has always been totally supportive of and helpful with the horses, found his niche (now owns his own company and also does the consultant thing)and I can stay home. It is fun, but it's alot of work. Some days I ride the tractor more than I ever ride the horses. In addition to taking care of the horses (add here what C.Boylen does all day, but only for four horses) the house and yard and gardens always need attention and I do everything here so that DH can concentrate on his work and enjoy golfing when he has free time. I haven't shown in a few years, which I miss, and in the summer (this was a particularly hot & humid one), I'm a real Glamour-ella, sweating and dirty all day, slapping on the sunscreen. I really can't complain, (but do, of course http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif) spending time with my sweet horses, dogs and cats is wonderful compensation.

[Snowbird]

Four legged friends are the best! I look in my dog's eyes and I cannot imagine leaving her to fend for herself. There was one lady I could identify with in New Orleans who had 21 dogs. She refused to leave them. Finally they came back with a cabin cruiser so they could take her and all her dogs! My favorite tender moment of the week.

I'm afraid it would be a lot harder to find room for 40 horses.

They always appreciate whatever time you can give them and no amount of money is better than tucking your barn in at night and hearing them all breath and nicker to each other.

[Vita]

I'm a 3-Dimentional Digital Artist and I work for the game company, I make video games. Kids love me http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I like talented, creative people, good money, but very looong hours and to much time spent with by computers. Can be very fun and stresful. I also miss fresh air.

[MyArgie]

i guess i'm at the wrong school, i am a student and am on the go ALL day. i guess you would call riding what i do in my "free time", but in order to do it, i take up every second of that "free time". i've been known to leave classes early to get to the barn fast... why don't professors understand that colic IS a medical emergency?!?! i had to tell my professor i would be leaving early b/c of a medical emergency (it was a HUGE room, with a small # of students..no way to slip out un-noticed) she questioned me about what kind of medical emergency and informed me that a horse doesn't count and if i missed some pop quiz, i would lose points. I had to refrain from screaming at her that i didn't care about losing 5 points when compared to my horse colicing.

[LoriO]

I am a 911 Public Safety Dispatcher and handle Police/Fire & EMS calls, not to mention "I" get to tell the cops where to go.... http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif

I also am an assistant dog trainer, mostly just obedience classes although I have taught some agility.

Oh and I also have a small at home Ebay business that helps pay my horse bills. I haunt the tag sales and local flea market on the weekends for goodies to sell. Believe it or not, I actually do pretty well with this!

[mrsbwayne]

I sell crap on ebay. Okay, I sell stuff. Costume jewelry and imported car parts, two different IDs. Sometimes I forget to switch the Outlook express account, and the car people get emails from the jewelry name, hahaha... Ooops! I also wholesale jewelry, custom orders, that kind of thing. All from home.

I also waitress part time. I know this sounds stupid, but I wanted to do something that I could actually "leave behind" as in, when I clock out, I'm DONE. If anything goes wrong, I can get the manager and SHE can deal with it! heh heh heh... a luxury I don't get with the ebay/online thing. That's going 24/7, basically whenever I get on the computer, and if anything goes wrong, there's nowhere to pass the buck!! haha.. It's just me! Not that it does very often, but sometimes I do wish I could just not deal with it - post office loses/breaks something, manufacturers screw up, DHL mis-sorts my package back outside the US AND has the wrong zip code and my customer is screaming because his stuff isn't here. It all happens in spurts, too. Calgon take me away! Plus the waitress thing gets me out of this office and into the world and moving around quite a bit.

Not to mention I get a little bit of mad money to spend on the boys. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Not that they were going without, hahaha.. but now I don't have to write a check, I just use my tips. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Now, back to work! Of course, I do get to make my own hours with the ebay thing, that is pretty nice. So I think I will head off to bed now.

Oh yeah, I also foster cats for the pound, except most of them end up staying. I just got my most recent three babies to eat solid food! Yippy! They're so cute! Pumpkin, Eddie (looks werewolfish, like Eddie Munster) and Snowball. He was Snowcone, but he's so fat, we decided to name him Snowball instead. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
SW

[armandh]

retired since '93
but with the horses at home
the job jar is never empty

[ottb dressage]

i teach english as a second language for two public schools one in the morning and one in the afternoon. i enjoy the kids, and i manage to get enough time to ride and compete one horse at training level dressage. summers off are nice, but we get sticky humid weather in nj and can't quite get enough schooling time in, and in the winter being able to ride can be difficult because we don't have an indoor, and it gets dark soooo early. i also keep my two guys at home so with a full time job and all the barn chores my riding time can get chipped away at.

[EQKate]

Early this Summer I began working for a large Market Research company, that is where my Mom works as well. I don't really enjoy being couped up in an office all day sorting checks and filing bill payments, but my Mom loves what she does (Senior Consultant, Advanced Analytics). Either way, it pays the horse bills! That's why we all do it, right?! http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif

[Lindsayanne]

I own a couple dot coms. Some sell stuff, but most make income from pay-per-click ads (yep, I'm just a few steps below a spammer. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif) I occassionally do some work as a search engine optimization consultant (aka, how to rank well in google) but I don't really like explaining stuff so I don't do it often. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/winkgrin.gif

I work 3-4 days a week, and spend the rest riding; so no complaints here.

[dehere98]

I'm a Massage Therapist for humans.
I am also certified in Reiki.
I LOVE helping people, but my hands and body get very tired.
When my toddler starts school I'd like to get my Reiki Mastership- I believe my gift lies in energy work and I will be able to help people more effectively. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[DMK]

Hey lindsayanne, if you survived the first part of this decade in dotcomville and lived to tell the tale, you don't have to apologize for nuthin'! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I myself spent two years unemployed thanks to dot coms, 2nd round investment needs and 9/11... http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

But now I'm back to what I actually like - developing product for a health insurer. Best part? I'm a work at home employee. Only thing that could make it better would be if the barn was on my propery instead of 5 miles away (leased). Two more years, and that's my plan...

[Lori T]

At the age of 40, I figured out what I wanted to be, and I went back to school to become a Vet Tech. I graduate in a year with a degree in Vet Technology. Besides having classes at night (on-line via the St Pete College long distance program), I work 3 days for a vet, manage my small barn (my 4 horses plus 1 boarder) and raise 3 teenages.
Lori
http://www.calypsofarm.piczo.com

[houndsRus]

Lurking about the past few weeks, I’ve been overwhelmed by the strong feelings floating about on these boards in the wake of Katrina and all the recent HB/PJ strangeness on the HJ board.

These wasters seem calm enough so here goes:

In the past week I’ve: Baptized a 64-year-old man while he was writhing in pain from end-stage lung cancer, which had metastasized to his brain; worked with 2 15-year-old girls arrested for grand theft auto; worked with a girl whose 4 brothers have been raping her; prayed with a 70-year-old woman consumed by guilt because she knew her long dead husband had molested their daughter while she did nothing to stop it; listened to a woman who found God while she was in the “hole” in prison—that’s where they put inmates who attempt suicide behind bars; sat with the parents of a teenage boy who, after regaining consciousness after his suicide attempt, has to be restrained from leaving the hospital; sat with a woman who was just diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer; sat with an old psychotic woman whose husband has been all but brain dead for seven months, but whom she wants us to keep “alive” because now she can “care for him, (as) there was never time before;” and whatever else I did now eludes me.

I’ve also prayed with two groups of hospital employees who gather weekly to pray for our patients, their families and fellow employees; and planned a service for the Day of Prayer for Recovery and Awareness of Mental Illness, which I will spend two days praying with staff the first week in October.

The horses and dogs are a blessed gift of Otherness in the reality of my workaday world. They crack the curtain so that the Light of Grace can shin through illumining—the very real presence of the Devine—in the places of darkest suffering and pain that I tread day in and day out. Without the gifts of their acceptance and gratitude, grace and forgiveness, I would surely be consumed by the darkness. To them, on many days, I owe my very life. Amen

[margom]

Depends on the day, but I am a disc jockey at a radio station, plus do behind the scenes work. Also an "L" graduate and have a few students.

I also work at the barn where I board a couple of times a month.

I love the things I do! I am very lucky to have been able to make money at things I love doing.

[spacely]

I am a vet tech in a very busy large animal hospital. I work 3-4, 10-12 hour days per week & 1 on call weekend per month. I got hurt a couple months ago at work & my back still isn't right, so right now I am spending 1/2 my time playing receptionist so I don't aggravate my back more. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/dead.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/sigh.gif Hopefully in the next few months I can be in the field full time. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

I went from a very cushy small animal practice to this job & could not be happier even though the commute & hours are longer. I am contemplating vet school, but I am putting it on hold for a few more years. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

I have 5 horses with a foal on the way in May '06. I am trying to get to the point of breeding 2 or 3 top quality hunter prospects per year. It looks as if it might happen soon too! I am very excited. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[harv525]

wow! what a diversified group we are...full of interesting jobs! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[bjrudq]

another lawyer here. i was a p.i. lawyer for twelve years, first in a big firm and then started a smaller firm; then retired to motherhood for 8 years.

went back to work part time as a public defender(i always wanted to be a criminal trial lawyer) then quit that and now work very part time, out of my home office, mostly on juvie welfare cases and a few criminal cases.

my horses and dogs are home; i work between 10-30 hours a week, make enough to pursue my hobby for a few extras for the family and save a bit for old age. it's perfect.

[Nauset]

M-F 7:00 to 1:00 I'm an office assistant (I deal with Acct's Payable/Receivable stuff, and then other misc. office stuff) at my family's company. We sell trailer/towing accesories for Auto, Truck, RV, Marine, and more. After work I go to the barn. I am also going to school part time for photography.
In the future, I plan to work as a professional photographer and also have my own small barn. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[SaudiHunter]

My contract says I'm an English Language Lecturer. I stand in front of classes of young (18-21) Omani men and women. I encourage them to speak English. I look over their shoulders at what they're writing. I tell them they can do things that they think they can't do (like speak English in front their peers for a few minutes). I use horses in my examples. I watch them go on to gain confidence in English and in themselves. It's a good life.

On the weekends I teach kids horsemanship skills on small donkeys. When I get time (yeah, right!) I'll have a small cart made so we can drive the donkeys in addition to riding them.

[pwynnnorman]

I'm a teacher, currently at the community college level. I spent most of my career trying to "publish or perish" at the university level but found that I could not produce the BS required and would rather go home at the end of the day and worry about my horses rather than my career.

So now I teach six sections of Public Speaking and have to papers no grade, no fretful grad students or immature undergrads to deal with (I taught in fields where fretfullness and immaturity at those levels seem to abound: public relations and media production), no territorial colleagues (well, at least not in any territories I actually care about). I go home and forget about work until the next day or Monday. I loff it, especially since, as only a middling university assistant-and-and-then-associate professor, I wasn't even earning that much(less than I earn now, in fact).

I can't always pop online to play than much any more because my schedule is tight (no one's fault but my own--I arrange it so I spend as little time here as possible), but I do appreciate the outlet COTH provides (as none other can, IMO!).

[Feenikks]

AM - Gov't worker
PM - Barn worker

So, I think i have the best of both worlds, just always tired!

[myhorsefaith]

The bill-paying job: systems analyst for a coffee company's learning & training dept.

The FUN job: lessons & training...AND my favorite- POOP SCOOPING! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Do i like my day job? It could be better- but OH could it be worse. I guess i strike even. the hours can stink but at least i get free caffeine to keep me going.

Pretty neat how we all have such different lives- though i have seen some similarities. I think someone else posted earlier that they too work for a coffee company. And someone else is a systems analyst. COOL! We all rock!

[relocatedTXjumpr]

I'm a medical biller and A/R person for a small (8 person) billing company.

I'm interested to know how some of you got the position you hold now.

[dehere98]

HoundsRus- Thanks for sharing http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[missgrey]

I am a full time mom
Part-time morning barn worker b4 hubby goes to work
Part-time stripper (yes you read that right) http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
And in November I go back to Cosmetology school.

[clivers]

physician.
Presently burned out after 12 years of university. Also wishing to win the lottery and pursue my riding career full time again (this time with deeper pockets http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif ) Poor me! Just kidding. It's a great job...interesting, challenging, meaningful. I just need a holiday!

[Paddys Mom]

I am a one-woman computer department for a small manufacturing company. I have the best schedule (7:30-11:30am in the office, 12:30-4:30pm from home office). Also, no one knows what I do or how I do it, so I can make as many mistakes as I need to get something working. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

RTXJ - I was a project manager. I knew enough about computers to be an "advanced user", took a few classes and got a certification, BS'd my way through interviews, and then worked my butt off learning what I needed to know (trial by fire!) and relied on my mentor (my husband). By now, I have taken enough classes, gotten enough on-the-job training, etc., that I could feel comfortable working for a larger company in a specialized area (i.e., email administration), but why would I leave my great job?? http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

And besides my job, I have 2 horses, 1 dog, and 2 cats at home, plus 2 kids (3 yrs and 2 months) and a husband.

[Won For Me]

I am a Senior Marketing and Sales Manager for a Communications Company. I develop all customer communication as well as advertising and promotions. I manage about 20 people and just recently was asked to take over an entire department in addition to what I currently do. So, I will have to learn to clone humans as I will need more of me.

I don't know how I got here other than one thing lead to another. It really is about experience and moving up in current jobs and then moving on to other companies. Take chances and don't look back.

[Hopeful Hunter]

Public Relations and Marketing Pro.

I run my own showcase PR firm (think "boutique" only smaller) and generally like it. It's small, so the money isn't nearly what I could get were I to go with a multi-national firm, but then I get to pick my clients and only work with ones I'm truly enthusiastic about.

The downside is that it's MY business, and that pretty much means it's ME. So while I can do a lot of work at odd hours and go ride during the day, I also may have to be available on a weekend, an evening or whenever - especially with clients in different time zones. And vacations mean checking in only once or twice a day, not all day long...

[Amwrider]

Account Manager for a COBRA Insurance company by day, and I train/give lessons on evenings and weekends. I recently opened my own boarding/training stable...it is great to be working for ME for a change instead of working for other barn owners.

I also used to be an English teacher and taught English/American Lit, and English as a second language at a private school.

[ghazgal]

I own and run a stallion station for cooled and frozen semen , so I get to play pony all day and be a full time servant to the Pugs!As well as running a breeding program of my own Hackney Ponies.

[Sonesta]

Let's see.

I'm a trial lawyer, specializing these days in equine law. I also breed, train and sell sporthorses, run a 35 horse barn, teach dressage and over fences riding lessons, coach at dressage and Arabian shows. I also design and maintain a bunch of web sites. I am on the board of about 12 different organizations. I breed and show Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I write articles on equine law for magazines. And I try to be a wife and step mom.

After writing all that, I'm wondering why in the WORLD I try to do all that?

[Darden]

finance for a large retailer.

[Tiffany01]

I have a life skills coach with me all day.

[Pie in the Sky]

I am an office manger for a small real estate company..

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

not to highjack the thread...I think I understand what Snowbird was getting at. I was the kid who begged to be dropped off at a barn and would do anything just to learn about and be around horses. Took me several decades to get mine. And I am living my fantasy-as-a-kid every day when after work I drive to the barn.

It's not always quite as you pictured it (no one pictures things like abcesses or kicks or crazy boarders or unethical barn owners). I used to do any job after school, in the summers that I could to earn money for my horse-to-be (which, of course, was spent on college tuition...). My horse's first halter was the one I had bought as a hopeful 9 yr old. I used to think, I hope he appreciates what I'm doing. ANd you know what? He does, and so do I. It's so very sweet when something you have wanted so long, and so badly, can happen.

[Melelio]

nuthin.....

ok, so I raise my son and wish I could be out riding.... http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[DMK]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by relocatedTXjumpr:

I'm interested to know how some of you got the position you hold now. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yea, but the real question is whose job life story are you interested in? http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[mrs.smith]

I'm an accountant for a religious order of nuns.

Note to all accountants: never take a job working for nuns. The pay is low, and you'll be stuck there for life. Everyone you interview with will have gone to a Catholic highschool and still be experiencing nightmares from the experience. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/dead.gif

Anyone want to hire me? I REALLY need to get out of this job!!!!

[harv525]

Hmm...how did I get into advertising? Kind of a funny story actually considering that I never took 1 marketing course in all 4 years of college (again, don't tell my boss!) http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

In college, I studied pre-law... senior year decided I did not want to go to law school so I graduated with no clue what to do... fell into a job at a MarComm company...stayed there a while and then applied for a job at an ad agency, and the rest is history! Agencies can be fun, but the burnout factor is pretty high... sometimes I really envy those who work client-side.... ah... someday.... http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

[DMK]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Fast Alice:

Anyone want to hire me? I REALLY need to get out of this job!!!! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I would, but Sister John Norton would probably come after me... http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif

[wombat]

I'm Flight RN for an air ambulance company. We do both rotor and fixed wing missions.

Other job: Barn slave for 2 TB mares.....and love every minute of it! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[clivers]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Sonesta:
Let's see.

I'm a trial lawyer, specializing these days in equine law. I also breed, train and sell sporthorses, run a 35 horse barn, teach dressage and over fences riding lessons, coach at dressage and Arabian shows. I also design and maintain a bunch of web sites. I am on the board of about 12 different organizations. I breed and show Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I write articles on equine law for magazines. And I try to be a wife and step mom.

After writing all that, I'm wondering why in the WORLD I try to do all that? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Holy $hit!

[buryinghill1]

drive, sleep
repeat as necessary

[Sonesta]

clivers, can you say "stress junkie?"

Yep, that's me. If I don't have at LEAST a million balls in the air all at once, I think I'm slacking.

[snkstacres]

I operate a rescue farm, doesnt pay the bills though so by evening I am a forklift operator. I worked long and hard enough in my lifetime to now be able to do what I enjoy which is the horses and dogs. All day with the ponies and evenings at the mill so I can feed the horses. Non-profit is just that.

[mrs.smith]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DMK:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Fast Alice:

Anyone want to hire me? I REALLY need to get out of this job!!!! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I would, but Sister John Norton would probably come after me... http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah, and Sister Mary Catherine would beat me with her yard stick for trying to leave. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/dead.gif

[Kikki]

Some of these are quite interesting (though I have not finished reading them all - will have to do later!). Currently I am a grad student working on my Masters in Economics. I am also a GA in the Dean's office, which means that I sit and do my homework, play on the computer (like now!), sometimes answer the phone, and sometimes run errands or other little things. Of course there are those times that I am REALLY busy working on a project for one of the Assistant Deans, such as putting together meetings, managing databases, research, you name it. In between work and classes I ride and work a little at the barn. I even have a pretty heavy show schedule, though right now we are taking a little break from showing for a couple of months and working on getting my greenie TRAINED!

I am not sure what I am going to do with my Masters degree... I am affraid it is going to be about as useful as my BA in Political Science. Both odd tracks for a gal that was majoring in chemical engineering and going to med school her freshman year! (I had to drop the chemical engineering because, while I enjoyed the classes, if I didn't get in to med school, I didn't want to be an engineer!)

I think I would in the end enjoy going to law school and then concentrating in equine law (any equine law specialists out there want to mentor someone???). I guess my real designator in life is going to be as professional student http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[KSAQHA]

Fast Alice said:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Everyone you interview with will have gone to a Catholic highschool and still be experiencing nightmares from the experience. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> LOL!! Sounds like my hubby, the victim - he'll never forget the slaps in the face with the wet chalkboard rag of Sister Margaret O'Riley.
http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif

[trubandloki]

My day job is boring compared to most here....
I am a plumbing systems designer. I work for an architectural type firm and I design the plumbing systems in the buildings.
I have a part time (volunteer) job assisting teaching dog obedience.

[texang73]

I am a high school art teacher full-time and an equine photographer part-time.

[classicsporthorses]

Well, In my "real" life I am a program Administrator for a large school Drop out Prevention program (14 school Districts).

I also do consulting for grantwriting and PR/Marketing to Non for profits AND I am a freelance/contributing writer to a bunch of national publications ranging from Golf to Farming to Forestry.

Oh, of course then there is the farm-20+ horses, two stallions Breed train and sell horses. I also give lessons and travel to other farms to work their horses and we produce a full color sale catalog mailed nationwide twice a year.

WHEW!

[Bliss]

I sit on my $ss. no kidding! I sit at home, doing homework. I sit in my truck seat. I sit on my horse's back. I sit again in the truck. I sit in class. I sit on the couch and surf the net.

My $ss is getting bigger and flattening out...

I used to work. A lot. And go to school and be a mom and ride 2 horses 5 days a week. I was much thinner!

But obviously, I'm much happier now. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif That ulcer was one of the things keeping me thin.

[Norcrest]

Sonesta..I am in AWE!

As for me, I went to law school decided that wasnt for me, spent 15 years in various credit/collections positions, still wasnt happy. Quit my fulltime job in July 2005 ( I was a credit manager) and became a stay at home stall mucker. The farm that my Mom and I own is home to approximately 40 horses (more or less depending on the time of year) and that includes 5 breeding stallions. I still get up too early to feed, then spend my days cleaning stalls, mending fences and mowing pastures and go to bed too late after the evening feeding. But I love every minute of it!

[Sannois]

OMG!!! Sonesta! Your my Hero!! And you dont smoke Drink or do drugs!!! LOL Kidding! I complain if I have to stay at work later. WOW!!! You probably weigh 90 lbs dripping wet! Do you even have time to eat??? http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[CrazyDog]

Reservoir Engineer for an oil company.

[MSP]

I am a computer programmer/Analyst, SQL Server DBA, Developer and web mistress for an Oil Company. I only work 40 hours for the company but between the two horses, two small kids, two dogs, two parrots, one husband, one duck, unfinished barn and unfinished house I manage about 1 hour of free time at night just before bed.

I don't know how most of you find time to ride, I have difficulty finding time to trim hooves and give my two a bath when needed.

[smilton]

I am a research tech. I just started a new job with stem cell therapy in ligament and tendon injuries in horses. Before this I worked as a Veterinary Microbiologist for the state. Before that I did poultry vaccine research for Fort Dodge Animal Health. Basically since graduating I have been trying to find a job I enjoy. I also feed on my grandfathers cattle and horse farm. I have been working at night as a construction worker to pay for my new barn so I can start boarding horses besides the 6 horse, 2 mini donkeys and shetland pony that are currently in my front yard. Only a few more weeks and the barn will be paid off.