Some questions.. :/ (long!)

[raychul]

Okay, so this is going to be probably long and a little rambling/annoying, but I was wondering some things.

I'm starting my Senior year of highschool and I'm being a little bit pressured to figure out what to do with my life, haha. I've been looking at schools and stuff and I really am not sure what to do with my life. I want to do something with animals, so I am REALLY thinking about going into Animal Sciences. I'd like to go to Reno, a state school (just not Vegas, haha -ahhh! Gotta get out! ) and they have a pretty good Equine Science... like, section. Anyway, I'd really like to do that. It's one of those things that like, if I'm working with horses for the rest of my life, I think I'd be happy, not all nasty in a job I do just for money. Like, I think I could easily be a dentist or something and make some super cash, but I just can't see myself making the decision for that to be my career. I've always loved horses like most little girls do and to me they're just the best.

Here's my problem. Growing up in Vegas, there aren't that many horses around.. There are some, just not a whole lot and they're out far away from where I've ever lived in the city. I haven't had long interaction with horses, really, and we don't have like.. big 4H here or anything. And my mom likes to say that I could never make it in a horse field because I haven't grown up around them like some people have and there are things that I could never learn in school about them, which is true... But after school I could go and actively learn some of those things, you know? Anyway, I try, I really do.. even it's just by watching the foals on the cams RELIGIOUSLY. My step mom likes to say that it's weird, too much, etc.. but she's a bad person ( I could think of other words! ) so I don't like to listen to her. She expects me to get some high paying job just to have super bucks and then hate going to work every day and complain about the long hours like she does.

I guess I just need some advice. Are they right - should I just go into something general animal? Would I waste my time going into an Equine Science program if I don't know a whole bucketload of things about horses ( i guess I know more than the average joe though, heh. Just from reading, here - - and other things I've done.)? I'd love to do stuff with horses and do something about our wild horse problem here in Nevada. The whole.. round them up to control the populations, but if they don't get adopted out, we glue them deal... Definately a sore subject with me. Blah. This is too long and whiney, I'm just looking for some insight from people who actually know what they're talking about, haha. So.. if I'm not too annoying, help me out? ;D

Thanks so much in advance, heh

[sophie]

Go where your heart leads you. There are more important things in this world than money. When you have a job you love you are a happy person, if you love horses give it a try. Ask yourself what is the worse that could happen...You can always change your mind because there are no "job police"!

[erikasbackyard]

Everybody says you can change your mind, and to some extent, that is true. But once you HAVE horses and those bills and your rent, etc, it is nearly impossible to go back to school and devote the necessary time and energy to getting the degree to make the money to pay the bills more easily. Yes, you can learn about horses and you do not have to grow up with them to do it. No problem.
I have had at least one pony since I was 5, and managed to lease my horse to avoid selling him when I went to college. I dropped out after a year and a half (wasn't going to have a terribly practical major, anyway) and went to work for a newspaper classified ad dept. Figured I could go back to school later. I'll be 40 in September, and I have never gone back to school. Dropping out has not made my life any easier. A degree related to horses certainly would not have made my life any easier. I ran a 19-stall barn for a while, but had crazy landlords (literally - the wife was institutionalized shortly thereafter) and it fell apart. I would love to go back to school sometime, but it no longer fits with my life and my responsibilities, financial and otherwise. Maybe if I had a hubby to cover the bills... but I don't. Anyway. My personal advice would be to go to school for something practical to earn the money. It is much much easier to change professions FROM money than it is TO money. If you have money, you can afford to have the horses, you can afford to take the time off later to do something different, and you have something to fall back on. Yes, last year I quit a job I'd had for 7 years because I had come to hate it, and now I work for less money on my own time, etc, but I had to HAVE that job first, before I could quit it. I hope that makes some sense. Easy for people to say "follow your heart" and that's great when you're 18, but when you're 30 or 40 and have no money, no retirement account, and you're living paycheck to paycheck and are on familiar terms with the woman who calls to warn you the cable will be cut off, it's not so nifty. Get the money, and then you can AFFORD to follow your heart. They say money can't buy happiness, and that's true, but it sure makes it a whole lot easier to get.

[erikasbackyard]

Consider vet school if you're serious about the animal thing. Something hardcore with eventual financial potential, instead of something that qualifies you to clean stalls, for which you don't really need a degree. (My vets are hardly rolling in moolah, but some do). If your back and knees can take it, there's farriering. My smith makes a fortune - about a third of which he probably spends on chiropractic care, but it's some serious money. Enough that years ago he suggested that I could learn to shoe my horses myself, and now I do. I still adore him, and recommend him, and take work to his brother who is a gunsmith. There are jobs like that which would have you around horses but not in a perpetual adolescent kind of way. My back wasn't too sure about trying to shoe horses full-time, and then I wrecked my knee, so that was that. But I WISH I could do it for a job. Best of both worlds.

[ShainaTN]

Hey Raychul, I know exactly where you stand. I too am at the crossroads of which career I want to take. I'll be a junior when I head back to school in the fall. I am planning to go into the animal sciences and major in equine science. One thing that is a downside to my plans is, I'm wanting to go to the University of Tennessee's Vet school and they have thousands of applicants and only choose 200 per year. Those that are chose usually have 4.0 GPA's and the money up front to glide right through without any financial problems. The other downside to vet schools are that men are the minority and I believe that they have more chance of being accepted. There are many horse related jobs. I was talking to my farrier this past tuesday, and he was telling me about being a Horse Chiropractor and an Equine Massage therapist. I've thought about being one of these... but then that is where I come to the crossroads. Money isn't everything, but it sure helps! I think the road you choose is the one your heart desires most and the one that meets your financial capabilities. College is very expensive, and even more so when you go to vet school. Good luck in whatever you choose, and I know that you will end the end choose what's best for you!

[twnpnds]

Raychul and Shaina, there are many careers in the equine field. Have you ever thought about being a vet tech? Don't worry about experience. You will learn about handling and caring for horses as part of your education. Check out Stephens College in Missouri. This is a woman's college that has a number of different degrees in the equine industry. You get lots of hands on experience. They also offer many scholarships and grants. Check them out at: www.stephens.edu/academics/programs/equestrian/?referrer=googeadwords. Another site to check out is: www.horseschools.com. If you really want to learn about horses and want a career with them you will find a way. Go for it and good luck.

[raychul]

Thanks so much for all the ideas/thoughts. You've really got my gears going in my head.. I just need to get going, haha. Thanks again, all of you.. I'll keep you posted!