Pros
I have worked at the stables for over 5 years and I have loved it. I left full-time employment for a few years so that I could have insurance (which is not provided since you are a contract employee), but always helped out on weekends and days off. I recently came back to work full-time at the stables again. It is a great place to work if you want to work with the horses and be outdoors. I have had jobs where you had to stay until 10 or 11 at night. I have never had to stay at the stables past 6pm. Everyone helps feed and take care of the horses who all look great. Any horses that are thin on the property (there are never many) are either older or being rehabilitated. The owner will work with you on days that you need off. It is definitely not a good idea to be off on the weekends though, since that is when you make the most money. There is always something to do out there with 100 horses to take care of, so staying busy until 5 is not a problem. I love teaching lessons and watching them progress. Everyone is taught to rein the horses the same way so that the horses do not get confused, and are able to stay good riding horses. The majority of the lessons are children, but you also get your fair share of adults who want to learn to ride. The stables has horses for all age levels and riding abilities. Taking trails is a great way to earn extra money. You usually get good tips off the trail riders to add to your weekly pay from the stables. You get paid for the day and for trails you lead as well as lessons that you give. The more you do the more money you make. There are days when the stables is a little slower but they always balance out with the weekends when you are busy. The owners have always been great to me. As long as you take good care of the horses, and do your job, you will never have a problem with them. If you do not feed a horse or neglect to inform someone that a horse is injured, you will of course get in trouble. They would never tolerate any type of abuse or mistreatment of any of the horses from an employee or one of the boarders. The boarders are great. There are some people who know a lot about horses, and some that are just getting their first horse and have a lot of questions. Part of your job is to help the boarders out and make sure their horses are well cared for. Working at the stables has definitely been the most fun job I have ever had. I love the people that I work for, and the job I get to do.
Cons
hot in the summer and cold in the winter, no insurance benefits