Racehorse trainer jobs

Payscale of a Racehorse Trainer

The amount of money a racehorse trainer makes is mostly determined by their degree of expertise as well as their level of success. Trainers normally get 10 percent of the purse money earned by the horses under their care. Those with established track records of training horses who win elite races may expect to make a very comfortable life in this industry. They may also choose to implement a day fee that ranges from $65 to $100 a day, per horse, in order to compensate for the expenses of labor, hay, grain, straw, stall rent, office and barn equipment, tack, and supplies.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States of America publishes information on salaries for all types of animal trainers, not only those who work with horses. Trainers who work with racehorses often bring in a higher salary than trainers who work with other types of animals.

The median annual salary is $29,290, which equates to $14.08 per hour.

The top 10 percent of earners make more than $55,760 annually (or $26.81 per hour).

The lowest 10 percent earn less than $20,270 a year, which equates to $9.74 per hour.

Education, On-the-Job-Training, and Credentialing

To become a trainer, you do not need to get a formal degree or follow a predetermined educational route. Many trainers begin their careers in the business at lower-level jobs such as hot walking (the practice of walking horses after they have been exercised), grooming, or exercising horses.

Licensing: Trainers are required to get a license from the racing commission of each state in which they wish to start horses, and the conditions for obtaining a license differ from one state to the next. Exams, both written and practical, designed to test a trainer's knowledge of racing laws, terminology, and basic horsemanship abilities are often required. Testing is often carried out by the track's racing stewards, who serve in the capacity of officials. Before a person may apply for a trainer's license at certain tracks, they must first get a license at that track as an owner, groom, or assistant trainer for a period of between one and two years.

Competencies and Abilities Required of a Racehorse Trainer

It requires a certain set of skills to be an excellent racehorse trainer, and not everyone has those skills. The following is a list of characteristics and abilities that effective trainers will have:

Trainers of racehorses are fantastic talent judges because they are able to determine which horses have the most potential for racing and the ability to make the most of their abilities.

Skills in interspecies and interpersonal communication: They need to be able to interact successfully with horses as well as the humans who work for them and for whom they work.

Together with the jockey, they devise a plan for how to run a certain race in order to achieve victory for their horse over the other competitors.

Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of people in the wide category of animal care and service employees is predicted to expand by 22 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is substantially faster than the average for all professions.

The Working Conditions

Work opportunities exist for racehorse trainers not just in the United States but also in a number of other nations on the worldwide circuit. Dubai, England, Ireland, France, Japan, Canada, South Africa, and Hong Kong are among the major international racing destinations. Japan also hosts races.

The bulk of a trainer's day is spent working outside, where they are exposed to a broad range of climates and temperatures. Because the horses under their care compete at different tracks all over the nation, regular travel is often necessary.

Timetable of the Work

Trainers often work six to seven days a week and are expected to be available around the clock in the event of an emergency involving the horses under their care. The hours may be quite lengthy, and the majority of personal trainers begin their day well before daybreak.