Stud Manager

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Horse riding in school with instructor

Stud Managers are employed by equestrian business owners to make sure the yard runs efficiently. They are responsible for the daily running of the yard, including managing staff, care of the horses, health and safety and dealing with clients.

As a Stud Manager, you could work on various types of yards, such as competition, breeding, training, riding schools, racing and trekking. Your work would depend partly on the type and size of the yard but you may be required to:

  • Plan the running of the equestrian yard
  • Plan the horses’ exercise routine
  • Plan horses’ routine care and keep appropriate records for vaccinations, farrier, teeth and worming
  • Purchase and maintenance of feed and equipment
  • Keep appropriate records such as financial, insurance, accident reporting
  • Conduct risk assessments
  • Maintenance of grassland
  • Select, purchase and sell horses
  • Recruit, train and supervise staff.

On smaller equestrian establishments, you may have sole charge of a yard and do more practical work, such as looking after the horses, riding horses and yard maintenance.

In competition, hunting or racing yards, Yard Managers may also prepare horses for events and may accompany them. In smaller studs and breeding yards, duties may also include working with stallions, mares and foals, assisting with foaling and handling young stock.

Depending on your skills and qualifications, you may also have responsibility for other activities, for example running competitions, instructing, transporting horses, promoting and marketing the establishment and liaising with owners and clients.

Working Conditions 

Stud Managers work around 40 hours a week but this may be longer on occasions. Early mornings, late nights and weekend working is common practice for Stud Managers. Work can involve lifting, carrying, bending, climbing and standing for long periods, and is mainly outdoors, in all weather conditions.

Equestrian businesses are often a long way from towns, so a driving licence may be useful.

Due to location and the nature of the job role, some positions are live-in, so managers may be on call to respond to any emergencies or issues on the yard.

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Salary

Some employers provide accommodation, food, free stabling for their employees’ horses and riding instruction, so individual salaries may vary.

Starting salary:

£14,000

Ending Salary:

£20,000

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Getting started

You should have a genuine interest, knowledge and experience of working with horses and their welfare, enjoy working outdoors and have good organisational and leadership skills.

Stud Managers work throughout the UK and abroad. Employers include riding schools, private stables, competition yards, college equine units, polo yards, livery stables, producers, stud yards, hunting yards, trekking centres, horse rehabilitation centres and the Armed Forces.

What experienced workers can do

  • Care for visitors
  • Ensure a healthy and safe workplace
  • Inspect horses for specific requirements
  • Establish basic training
  • Control and organise the breeding of horses
  • Control and organise the rearing of young stock
  • Control and organise foaling and care of the foal
  • Oversee the sales preparation procedures.

Personal qualities you should have

  • Have a genuine interest in horses and their welfare
  • Good communications skills
  • Good organisation skills
  • Flexible and adaptable
  • Self-motivated
  • Have the ability to work alone and also as part of a team.
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Next steps

With experience and relevant qualifications you could develop your skills in a number of directions. You may then get more responsibility with an existing employer, depending on the size of the organisation, but may need to find work elsewhere to progress.

Experienced Stud Managers may also become:

  • Instructor/Coach
  • HGV Driver
  • Rider
  • Event Co-ordinator
  • Trainer (Racing)
  • Stud Manager
  • Business Manager.

Stud Managers wanting to also become riding instructors can take BHS or ABRS teaching qualifications.

There are opportunities to work and train abroad.

Useful links

Association of British Riding Schools

British Grooms Association

British Horse Society in Scotland

British Horseracing Authority

My world of work

The British Racing School

The National Stud

Your next steps on the Horse stud career path

Stud Manager also appears on these career paths: