Giving up the day job to ride (?)

[jumper]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 3eme:
[B]Sometimes (no, often) I get really sick of my job and wonder what it would be like to do something that I actually like doing. I’ve been tossing the idea around to give up the day job, for a while at least, and become a groom / rider. Is that crazy?

3eme…you echo my thoughts exactly!! We should get together and chat because I go through the SAME thought process at least once a week!! In fact, I think I’ll join you. I wish you’re email was up here. Email me. I think you should absolutely go for it!! There’s nothing like a healthy dose of regret to bring you down.

[gray17htb]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by devildog20:
Oh, and I forgot to mention that he works from 3:30 in the morning till about 5:00 and is totally understanding of my horse craze and does not mind me spending my days at the barn!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

OK----time to chime right in here. Hi devildog, I too, as hopefully many other married people on the boards take my marriage seriously, or they wouldn’t have gotten married. But these are a couple of things you will be considering after you take those sacred vows and donating your “daytime only” hours to horses;
First of all, I want to tell you that I’m sooooo happy that your future husband has lots of money…YOUR GONNA NEED IT!! (close to all of it). I hope for your sake he doesn’t mind you taking constant withdrawals from your “joint” accounts,doesn’t mind you jacking up the credit cards,and hands you lots of “pocket cash” as you need it—that would be everyday. You say that you are a bargin shopper and your horse does not require fancy shoeing, but have you considered the day when your horse comes up dead lame for no reason–three vet trips later, three sets of xrays, three unplanned farrier visits, and nice $$$$$$ corrective shoeing?? Alot more common than you think. Also PLEASE explain to your loving husband ahead of time, that even though you said you would only be at the barn in the day, and he gets off at 5:00, there are going to be lots of times that you won’t be home for dinner and when you do finnally get home you will be too tired cook, clean, or even watch an entire TV program, for all that matters. You said you were planning on becoming a working student----I wish you the best, because it’s probably the hardest work(with the least appreciation) you’ll ever have to do. GET IT IN WRITING when you get your rides. They don’t call it WORKING student for nothing. You will work, and on more than occasionally, way past 5:00, on holiday,weekends and nights–be prepared for reality and you’ll do fine. Good Luck…In about three years CAH will be adding the west wing onto Divorce Acres and we will greet you with open arms—by the way, you don’t have to be divorced,you can use it as a weekend retreat…just you and your horse!

[CAH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Inverness:
Can I come visit?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Iverness, we promise that you will find a well maintained, clean stable with the best of care for your horse. We do not, however, make any promises about the house. After all, we are never home to clean or cook!!

[AAJumper]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CAH:
[B]We had no idea Divorce Acres would be so popular…

Actually the whole concept started innocently enough. One night during a group lesson that lasted well past 9:30 PM, several of us were bemoaning the fact that we would ALL be in trouble for, once again, returning home at a late hour. Mind you, all of us are professionals that work 40 plus hours a week in demanding careers. No small children at home. One thing led to another and the idea of "Divorce Acres Farm was born. A place for us to go when we & our horses are homeless because we have kicked out. To this day, when one of us must leave early or can’t attend a horse related show or function, we say it is because we are staying at the farm. We all understand.

Yes, you may visit for a weekend. Gray 17HTB has been visiting often lately. [/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

ROTFLMAO…I think I qualify, although I’m only 31!!! My friend and I ride at 5:30 on Wednesday evenings and often stay after our lesson to chat w/our trainer…we ride late because she’s an attorney and I’m an engineer and we both work full time. I’ve had to make those wonderful phone calls to the hubby explaining that yes, I DO realize that it is 8pm and I’m just leaving the barn…OOPS!!! The poor guy is stuck at home in the meantime, waiting for me to get home so we can go out to eat. Fortunately, he works 24 hour shifts as a firefighter, so occasionally I don’t have to worry about what time I get home!

Fortunately he doesn’t give me a hard time about the expensive horse bills…mostly because he doesn’t know about them! Yes, it’s bad, but I do have my own checking account w/the money I earn, so that’s how I pay my horse bills. Luckily he has no interest in figuring out all the horse expenses! However, my poor friend has a husband who is a budget freak, and tabulates each and every expense for the year (they don’t have separate accounts). He was horrified when he added up the horse expenses, and she hasn’t been to a show since! Those nifty little financial computer programs like Quicken can be very bad for us horsey types!

[Meshach]

do it!! And can I live vicariously through you? I hate my job but it pays the bills on my horse, and I don’t think I’d be able to afford him doing something else. Also, my boyfriend and I are in discussions about “the future” so I have to keep that in mind.

He has a niece who has a huge trust fund and does not have to work and I get just green with envy when I hear about that. Oh, to have the freedom to do what you want without regard to money!

[Cactuskate]

dd20, if that is your master plan, may I suggest you marry someone with incredible wealth, no make that a bottomless pit of money, that he has no intention of using much of it himself. And be sure he travels all the time and you are not required to be with him in his travels.

You will live in eternal bliss. I wish you all the luck in the world…and remember marriage is a wonderful institution…

if you like living in an institution.

[tally]

3eme…
Go For It!
After high school I spent time in England working as a groom at an event yard. At the time I was sure I wanted a horsey career, but I eventually decided to keep it as a hobby. But going there was the best decision and I donÂ’t regret a thing! I have great memories; riding some amazing horses, tons of hacking through the beautiful English countryside, working with great people, seeing a different way of doing things, and learning how to really stick when those crazy event horses decided to blow up (often)!

[Astraled]

Hey! Lay off the Supreme High Commander of the vaunted CA Clique. DD is an adult, fully capable of making her own choices. Her Fi is a horseman (I’m sure he understands all about sudden vet expenses, etc) and he supports this; so let’s just wish them well, 'kay? She’s a lucky “dog” .

[Therese]

3eme - if you can financially swing it (be realistic, build out a plan with an eye on the future) go for it. Especially if your current career will take you back after a year or two off. Even if not, you’ll always have your work experience as a net. I wish I could, but at this point I’ve got to get back to the US before hubby is able to support me and horse by himself.

devildog20 - If you have the right guy it doesn’t matter if he’s horsie or not. Jack had never even SAT on a horse before he met me. Ten years later (8 married, 2+ living together) , he’s sat on one; but much prefers to pick hooves and feed carrots. We’re already planning our next home, with a small barn and arena for me, close to a golf course for him.

He’s very supportive, and even pushes me to spend more time at the barn sometimes. Just waiting for the move back to the US so his job is more stable, and I can get into the reserves, and kick this 7-7 job good-bye! Military and horses don’t mix with my current commander!

[Mellie]

So funny (strange) to see this topic. Here I am sitting at my desk typing away at my computer…my job isn’t necessarily boring, but it’s definitely not challenging. My phone rings, and it’s a friend of my trainers’ calling to see if there is any way I can help her bring her 30 horses to FL! Woo Hoo!

Now what do I tell my husband?

Is this the Y2K version of running away with the circus?

Hmmmm. Maybe he can close the business (we also own a bar) and be jump crew or something… A girl can dream, can’t she?

[Black_Market_Radio]

Well guys, showing all the time and spending tons of money are not on my agenda! I plan on being a working student and enjoying the process and showing occaisonally. My future “Mr. Devildog” has an awesome job that will financially make it possible for me to do what it is that I want. And what I want is to be able to spend time at the barn everyday and work with my new trainers! The barn I am moving to is not an expensive one, it is only $180 a month, and she does not need any fancy shoeing, so that is not a huge expense either. So it’s not like I am planning on suddenly becoming this big superstar and spending $1,000,000,000,000 on showing, shipping to Indio and all that, that is not me!

[Black_Market_Radio]

Ok, let elaborate EVEN MORE! For one thing, equine insurance, for another, he does not have lots and lots of money at this point, but the job he has is GOING to make good money.

And guess what? There actually is an affordable way to keep a horse! I have done it on my own for 5 years now! I bought my first two horses on my own, and my parents bought my last one for me not because I couldn’t afford her, but because they knew I had always wanted to get a horse for Christmas!

You guys have your own “experiences” I am sure, but please do not generalize and say that because you had them, then I will have very similar ones. You have no idea my situation, or what I want out of life.

Re the working student: I little different than what you are thinking, the place I will work for will not require cleaning stalls, but rather working with horses and things like that. I guess I should have put it in a little different terms, but I am not sure exactly. And I will not be coming home late in the day at all. Please do not make assumptions and try to see my future when you don’t even know what my full plans are. I gave you the skeleton version. Just because it did not work for some of you does not mean that it will not work for me. My new trainers are good trainers, but they charge VERY reasonable fees, for boarding lessons and everything else. I am not going to be doing a ton of showing, and I do not need a new Butet every three years or even once. I have a nice dressage saddle and am getting a nice used and inexpensive jumping saddle in a few months.

I do not have the time to fully explain my situation nor do I wish to. Advice is one thing, telling me my future is another!

[Cactuskate]

3eme, I just had an horrific thought!! What will you use for a computer to stay with this BB?

Better be sure your new employer has a laptop in your contract. Or maybe your current employer will give you one as a parting gift. Yah right!

Have you gotten any more comfortable in your decision making ability?

[CAH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AAJumper:

Fortunately he doesn’t give me a hard time about the expensive horse bills…mostly because he doesn’t know about them! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

AAJumper, you fit right in with the group!!!

[3eme]

If I do this, I’d definately stay in France. I’d probably have a much easier time finding someone to work for over here. A couple of years ago, I even had someone tell me that if I ever wanted to quit my real job, he’d hire me to ride (read: slave) for him. Plus, I’ve really improved my riding since I’ve been here, it was hard to change my riding style to fit ‘European’ standards, and I’d have a tough time switching back!

I guess my biggest concern is that I’d probably have to give up one of my two horses. I don’t think (if I were making peanuts) that I could swing two sets of vet / shoeing bills, like I can now. I ask myself— is that worth it? Would that be too much of a sacrifice? Am I better off just keeping this as a hobby?

Other than that, it’s totally the right time in my life to do this. I’m single, have no real financial responsibilties or children (other than my four-leggeds), and am thousands of miles from home & family anyway! Plus, I’m not getting any younger ( eek!)

[Black_Market_Radio]

Oh, and I forgot to mention that he works from 3:30 in the morning till about 5:00 and is totally understanding of my horse craze and does not mind me spending my days at the barn!

[Janet]

I know some people who have done it sucessfully (given up their day job to work in the industry full time) and others who discovered that when it became their JOB, they didn’t enjoy it as much.

ALl of them went through some lean times on the way.

I’d say try it, but don’t burn any bridges. Be sure to build up a financial security blanket, and to cut your financial responsibilities down to an absolute minimum BEFORE jumping in. Can you take a “leave of absence” from your job for several months, and then decide if you want to make it permanent?

[Maria]

I would like to join the Divorce Acres Farm too, can I please. I’m married, although bliss isn’t in the arraigment at the moment.

I have one small problem, I have a 3 year old daughter. But, I can get a babysitter.

PUUUUUUUUlease, I need a vacation!!!

[gray17htb]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DebS:
[B]Well, I don’t know anyone who could call having 2 kids, a mortgage, a 45 hour work week, and 2 ancient cars - EASY!

Sometimes, most times, I’d rather be doing stalls.

I’ve always worked to ride, and loved every minute of it, though at a MUCH lower level than you’re considering.

Go for it. Damn the torpedos and full speed ahead. DD that goes for you, too.

RE: Divorce acres. I have a two day clinic coming up and may need a spot on the couch if that’s possible. I’ll bring a pizza and a 6 pack of Mike’s Hard Lemonade.[/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

HEY DEB, If you bring pizza, and a six pack —you personally qualify for your own lazyboy recliner!! Come on in , but don’t forget to shut the gate behind you!

[3eme]

Sometimes (no, often) I get really sick of my job and wonder what it would be like to do something that I actually like doing. I’ve been tossing the idea around to give up the day job, for a while at least, and become a groom / rider. Is that crazy?

I’ve never been happy in my current career, and started thinking about this crazy plan a couple of years ago, after spending a couple of weeks on the show circuit grooming / riding as a favor to a Grand Prix rider that I know. At first, I thought I must be NUTS to do that with my vacation time, but I LOVED every single stinking moment. I had a blast! (And this guy worked me really hard and was not even the least bit easy to please)

Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like to maybe take a year or two off and do this full time, while I’m still (?) young enough.

My reasons are simple — hate what I’m doing now, would love to improve my riding, and just love spending time with horses.

Has anyone ever done such a career change (or break)? I’d love to hear some opinions, advice, stories and such while I sit here chained to my desk, dreaming…

me and my crazy ideas…