horse jobs in CO (Denver, Aspen: find a job, minimum wage, maintenance)
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My partner and I are seriously considering moving to the Denver area in the next year or so. We currently live in north central Fl and hate it here. We're originally from upstate NY and want to get back to outdoor living and some real scenery. Jobs are probably the biggest concern. I currently work on a Thoroughbred breeding farm, and while i dont necessarly need a job like that i would still like to stay in the same sort of industry, i.e. an equine hospital/farm/racetrack etc. Anyone have any ideas or tips for finding jobs like that. Or advice on anything else about moving there would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!
I would think that California, Virginia, or Kentucky would be much better areas for you as far as equine related employment. Our horse country here in Virginia is in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is very scenic and pleasant. I don't know that there's much of a throroughbred industry in CO; however, if you're also good with quarterhorses you might find something.
I would think that California, Virginia, or Kentucky would be much better areas for you as far as equine related employment. Our horse country here in Virginia is in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is very scenic and pleasant. I don't know that there's much of a throroughbred industry in CO; however, if you're also good with quarterhorses you might find something.
There are a lot of horse trainers and ranches in CO, starting with "America's most trusted horseman"John Lyons in Parachute, CO. I would refrain from giving advice if I am unfamiliar with the industry.
To OP: last year I was looking for a horse while I was on a trip to Denver. There are quite a few horse ranches and farms around CO. Do your Google searches and approach them one by one via phone or email.
Unless you've got some connections and experience in high end horsemanship ... some skills/experience/show record & recognition ... that might get you into one of the few top dollar barns in the Front Range area (dressage, jumpers, etc) ... where there's still some money. That, or being a wrangler for a dude ranch or a guide at a seasonal tourist stable (like in Estes Park) where you're hustling for tips and living in an expensive tourist area.
Otherwise, you're looking at a lot of low end "grunt" jobs in the industry like stall maintenance, grooming, etc. Even a lot of "barn manager" jobs pay little more than minimum wage, which is generally not comensurate with the responsibility or the hard work and long hours involved. A true labor of love ...
While there are a lot of horses in Colorado, it's also a low money industry these days. When Congress passed the no slaughter law a few years ago, the horse industry went on it's butt. There's simply not the money to spread around, because people don't have the ability to dispose of horses any more ... so they've got to feed and keep all the horses. Top breed lines are bringing low dollars these days at many auctions.
There's almost no horse racing industry in the region, so most of the horse activity is trail riding, dude ranch riding, rodeo type activity, some ranch use of horses, hunting/packing, a few therapeutic riding outfits, or simply a lot of lawn ornaments. I've seen a lot of people very passionate about their horses ... and ride them once in a few years, if at all. Quarter horses, of course, dominate the industry. Ranch Riding jobs are very few and far between ... with very low pay.
The only other source I can think of would be to check out possible jobs through the Caretaker's Gazette, where they are looking for a knowledgeable and experienced horse person for a job ... which would incorporate using your equine skills with a property caretaking job. You might find a job at a private stable in some high end area of Colorado ... I know some folks are doing this at acreage properties outside of Vail or around Aspen, although the jobs are seasonal.
Yes, there are a couple of famous name trainers in the biz in Colorado ... Lyons and Parelli, and a host of lesser trainers (some who are published equine topic authors). But you don't make money working for them, you pay them for your training ... as either a paying student, or an advanced student seeking to earn the credentials with them to be one of their "certified" trainers and head out on your own using their program and name to get your own students. The students do the work ... and most of the barn chores. What they don't do, hired labor at very low wage rates does.
I would refrain from giving advice if I am unfamiliar with the industry.
Pretty rich for someone who is otherwise unfamiliar with CO (based on your postings on the "ranch search" thread). I don't think there's anything I said that's not true. VA, KY, and CA are more oriented toward Thorougbreds, which is what the OP was asking about, while CO's strength is in QHs. They're two quite different disciplines. I am quite familiar with our horse "industry" here in VA (the greatest TB of all time was a native) and was suggesting other options that might better suit the OP's interests.
Pretty rich for someone who is otherwise unfamiliar with CO (based on your postings on the "ranch search" thread). I don't think there's anything I said that's not true. VA, KY, and CA are more oriented toward Thorougbreds, which is what the OP was asking about, while CO's strength is in QHs. They're two quite different disciplines. I am quite familiar with our horse "industry" here in VA (the greatest TB of all time was a native) and was suggesting other options that might better suit the OP's interests.
The OP was asking about Colorado. You seem to have a habit of steering people away from it with your "suggestions". The OP said "equine hospital/farm/racetrack" so that's quite a lot more than "thoroughbreds only" which seems to be the way you are interpreting it. The OP also said that they don't have to stay TB only.
The OP was asking about Colorado. You seem to have a habit of steering people away from it with your "suggestions". The OP said "equine hospital/farm/racetrack" so that's quite a lot more than "thoroughbreds only" which seems to be the way you are interpreting it. The OP also said that they don't have to stay TB only.
Finally, I own a few horses, do you?
Just one now (QH, not a TB) and my family's had them in Southern CO and CA continuously for several generations, both for working and racing. Can't think of anytime we didn't. I've cared for them for about 45 years now so've been through a few. So what? I have a dog and two vehicles but that doesn't make me Caesar Milan or Michael Schumacher.
My partner and I are seriously considering moving to the Denver area in the next year or so. We currently live in north central Fl and hate it here. We're originally from upstate NY and want to get back to outdoor living and some real scenery. Jobs are probably the biggest concern. I currently work on a Thoroughbred breeding farm, and while i dont necessarly need a job like that i would still like to stay in the same sort of industry, i.e. an equine hospital/farm/racetrack etc. Anyone have any ideas or tips for finding jobs like that. Or advice on anything else about moving there would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!
There are tons of horses in COLO, though it seems mostly non-thoroughbred types, with lots of rodeo, barrel racing, pleasure riding and some working ranches, etc. I'd suggest looking in the index of threads for Denver and COLO forums under the heading of Equestrian for threads that have links to many horse venues, where you might inquire of various opportunities.
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Do not blame the tough times in the horse industry on the US ban on equine slaughter for human consumption. Slaughter still occurs for the pet food industry, etc. People should not be breeding unless they have a reasonable expectation of selling their horses for a good price.
There are regular shipments to both Canada and Mexico of unwanted horses.
It is never easy for an outsider to get into a new horse scene.
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