Horse related career change - opinions please?

Well, it's the end of breeding season, sales have just ended and I'm bored hence my hours on here. I'm seriously considering making some changes and going self employed. Bit daunting as I've always been employed by other people. I'm already certified for artificial insemination and thought I should to diversify.


Here are the options;


1 - Accuscope therapist - Might take a while to drum up customers, training and machines can run up to $30,000.


2 - Horse dentistry - School costs about $7000 and in my area there are 3 dentists but only 1 is actually certified. I would be aiming to be certified. Would people though consider a woman capable of doing their horses teeth as most dentists are men? Would you hire a woman?


3 - Already signed up to become a certified equine sport massage therapist, not sure if I could make a living off that though on it's own - any opinions


If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know. I can afford the training. Thanks

Horse related career change - opinions please?
I guess that all depends on the lifestyle you want. Do you want to commute from client to client? Do you want to invest in machines, do you think your local area can support an accuscope therapist? Since you are already in breeding, what about staying in breeding and branching out onto your own? Or bloodstock brokerage since you must already be exposed to learning about bloodlines? And from some of your other posts I've read you seem a very capable rider, what about a breeding/training barn? I mean you don't have to pursue further education to be self-employed in the horse business.





I recently left a Wall Street to pursue another career (also hence my hours on here!) so I absolutely understand the anxiety, you'll do well no matter what you choose. I would try to determine the least capital intensive route to start, just to get your feet wet. If you find there is great demand than by all means invest more into your business. Also, try surveying potential clients. Talk to your current employer and ask what they think their client basis would want service wise. It may make for a smoother transition if you can keep the clients you are already working with, as well as keep in touch with your current employers to drum up more business in a different service. Best of luck!
Reply:why dont you go to school for horse dentistry and run your own little business as a massage therapist?





you dont have to open a whole business, its like when teens baby sit or dog sit, just something on the side for a few extra bucks





that way its basicly a win-win situation
Reply:In any of the above occupations, it'll take you awhile to gain clients. I'd opt for #2 or 3, but then again I know nothing about Accuscope therapy, so that might be your best bet; I don't know.





I would consider a woman capable of handling my horse's teeth if she was certified and horse-wise, the same criteria by which I'd judge a man. Getting certified is probably the best way to ensure people taking you seriously. I don't know any female dentists, but also I don't know anyone who wouldn't hire a woman just because she was female. I guess some people might be skeptical of you, but personally, I wouldn't.





Equine massage therapists- there's only one in my area, he's REALLY good, and he does that for a living. But he had to get really good before he could make it his full-time occupation.





So it's all up to you. Any certification you get is going to broaden your range of possibilities. You just have to judge which will broaden it the most.
Reply:All of those things sound really cool. but maybe you should start your own little lesson barn. of course, make sure that there are some pottential people who want to learn how to ride.
Reply:A gal I know went into kinda a massage therapist, accupressure, something with electrical pulsation machine (sorry not sure what its called). She is also an accomplished dressage rider and gives lessons on jumping and dressage.





I have used her in the beginning for some lessons, then when my mule was really sore (saddle fitting issues) went to her to massage him out.





If you would like her website i think i can drum it up somewhere, let me know. It might help give you ideas??
Reply:rong thars rong
Reply:It all depends upon how much capital you have to invest and what state you plan on setting up business in. States like Calif. require Equine dentists to either be a veterinarian or work with one or they cannot administer sedatives. I am uncertain about what other state laws are, but you need to check into that. It should be a good business to get into though. There are a lot of Equine massage therapists out there, but you could perhaps do something like that on the side and if you're good enough, could get a clientelle going. I've never heard of accuscope therapist so I have no idea what sort of clients you would get. If you hadn't answered the question about what it was in the extra notes I still wouldn't have a clue and I've been in horses for 30 years with hunters/jumpers and now Dressage.
Reply:I would hire a woman. How about vet tech? I guess the question is how much do you want to put into schooling or equip and where do you live what would work best? sport message works well at big shows and rodeo's if you have alot near you.
Reply:My dentist is a woman, so the answer to that question is yes. And we have a massage therapist who does several of our horses that are in heavy training. And she makes a VERY nice living off of that. But in order to do as well as she does you have to really know what you are doing and take up an apprenticeship after you become certified. She said the program she did doesnt teach you that much and you need to learn a lot from other people. And by being an apprentice people get to know you and refer you. Good luck!
Reply:Horse dentistry is great... as well as massage therapy.. that is big in the sport horse industry... I have heard of a lot of jumpers and dressage riders who pay big bucks to have a massage therapist come out to their horse. Considering there are only 3 dentists and only one is certified, you will be wanted tremendously.