Hippotherapy - I want to train horses!!!?

I want to train horses!!!?

I have been contacting trainers to see if any are accepting apprentices, without much luck. I finally found one who is, and I need to write up a resume. I have written resumes before, but never for something like this (and never for something this important to me). What should the resume contain. To be honest I'm 22 and my experience with horses isn't that extensive. My parents bought a mustang when I was younger, but we had to get rid of her due to a move. In high school I volunteered in a therapeutic horsemanship program, but we had little to do with the horses other than leading them around. I moved back home and for the past few months I've spent a lot of time with my parents horses. (feeding, riding, and some groundwork) and I've come to realize that this is something I really enjoy and would like to turn it into a career. The only training experience I have is from watching RFD and Clinton Anderson's Gaining respect and control on the ground 1,2, & 3, and Riding with confidence 1, 2, & 3. It seems like a lot of trainers want apprentices that have been around horses all their lives, are already trainers, and have shown horses. Can this be worked around or did I strike out. Thanks for taking the time to read this, any help is very appreciated.

Public Comments

If experience strikes you out, I think passion more than makes up for it.
I have been around Racehorses all my life, riding and training, best thing for you to do is work for a reputable stable for awhile, one that has had lots of winners, keep in mind who you work for you will be influenced by the way they train so it might be a good idea to work for a few different places to develop your own style on doing things and your own beliefs, learning about horses is a life time commitment. I wouldn't tell anyone what you want to do as they might think you want to steal their training techniques just work and learn and plan, start from the bottom and work your way to the top, your not ready to train just yet by the sounds of it so be patient, good luck.
Im glad taht more poeple are getting into teh Training business...and i understand about inexperience. Firstly write down all the things you can do with a horse, however small, grooming through to canter and saddle and bridle. As a trainer, you need to be able to ride different horses and have extensive knowledge in a particular type of training. I would suggest simply making up a resume with your qualifications, and if they insist taht you need more experience but have the passion, they may keep teh position open or let you study and help them. hang in there and if you find a course or clinics, do it all, any experience is a good experience
The best advice I can give you is just to start calling & talking to anyone & everyone you can. Go to horse shows, introduce yourself...let people know that you are there & you are willing to learn. Alot of trainers prefer expierenced apprentices but are willing to work with someone that is not as expierenced but has alot of drive & determination...personally I would rather work with someone that is less expierenced & has a desire to learn then someone who feels that they are quite expierenced & are less likely to pay attention to what you are telling them. When I started out doing my apprenticeships, I just called every number I could find until someone would give me some help..I ended up finding an awesome trainer & judge that I worked under for over a year...My second apprentinceship I found on Equimax.com which is an awesome website if you are looking to find trainers looking to hire...you may have to start out at the bottom, (I.E. Mucking stalls & grooming) But if in that time you can prove to the trainer that you are serious, passionate, hardworking, & willing to learn you never know what kind of opprotunities that can open up for you. Don't give up..if this is what you really want to do then prove it..learn as much as you can & watch everyone & everything...I learned alot just by sitting at the warm-up & practice rings & watching what people were doing. Don't be afraid to walk up & talk to a trainer..we don't bite!..the worst they can do is tell you No...you never know what you may luck into. Good luck!
This is a really good article by Cleve Wells on becoming a horse trainer. I also know that he does take apprentices from time to time. Might be worth a phone call. http://www.clevewells.com/trainers/be_a_horse_trainer.cfm
What about buying your own horses, training them and then selling them for lots of $$$ I know a few people that do that and are pretty sucessful. You mite need a side job too though. GOOD LUCK & HAVE FUN!!