Balancing Passion and Profit in the Horse Industry: A Q&A with Laurie Mays
How do you balance passion and financial sustainability in a career with horses? We spoke with Laurie Mays, Senior Workforce Development Project Manager at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation, who provided valuable insights into the industry's diverse career opportunities, essential skills, and specialized trades. With decades of experience in the equine sector, Laurie offered an educational perspective on how young aspiring professionals can build rewarding careers that align their love for horses with long-term financial stability.
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Photo Courtesy of Laurie Mays
Q: Can you explain your role and responsibilities?
A: “I’ve been with the Chamber (Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation)—this is my seventh year, so my position has come a long way. My original responsibilities were to gather information from the equine industry around the workforce specifically, which meant that we talked to employers in various industry aspects to better understand the baseline. We had employers identify critical positions and the skills, training, and education that was required for those positions. Understanding these industry needs is crucial for anyone looking to build a career in the equine sector.”
Q: What is the nature of your work with equine industry employers and employees?
A: "While gathering information regarding the equine workforce in Kentucky, I worked with Thoroughbred and sport horse farms, veterinary clinics, equine transportation, and racetrack trainers. To address workforce needs, we created six collaboratives, which were groups of employers in specific industry sectors. A major focus was data collection, identifying critical positions like stable managers, equine veterinarians, and racehorse trainers, and mapping out the skills, training, and education that went with those positions.”
Q: How do pay and benefits in the equine industry compare with other industries?
A: "Pay and benefits are a factor in the equine industry, just as in every industry. You have to have a good pay base and benefits to meet employees' basic needs. What we’re seeing in the workforce coming up—especially the younger generation—is that their priorities are very different from my generation at their age. They want a work-life balance, which is fantastic—something my generation didn’t value as much at that age.”
Q: How can someone entering the horse industry identify career paths that align with both their passion and financial goals?
A: "It depends on what the individual is looking for. We’ve been working with employers to help them identify their critical positions and ensure they understand the required skills. Some people might come in at an entry-level job but need to think long-term about developing additional skills. There are some great opportunities in equine management, business administration, and even marketing roles that can provide stability while still keeping you close to horses. The key is exploring different industry aspects and taking advantage of networking opportunities."
Q: What advice would you give someone who loves working with horses but is concerned about long-term financial stability?
A: "It's good business practice to be smart with your money. Are there well-paying jobs in the equine industry? Absolutely. Are there low-level, grunt, not-paying-so-well jobs? Absolutely. But that's true in any industry, to be very honest. When career searching, people need to ask themselves what they want their lifestyle to look like regarding their professional life?
"Do you mind working six days a week? Do you aspire to have a robust social life outside of work? All of that comes together into what kind of position you're looking for. But I also think people must understand that you're not—and you don't have to be—in one position for your entire life. The equine industry is one where you can build your career very successfully. So, even though you start working six days a week, ten hours a day, you may do that for two or three years, and then you'll move on and up." Being stagnant in your career is detrimental in any field, and the equine industry is no different.
Q: Are there specific roles or niches within the horse industry that offer better financial prospects?
A: "There are different avenues, but it depends on what somebody wants to do. For example, I recently met with a student… working on a capstone project. She’s in the equine business and wants to do Human Resources (HR) work, specifically employee relations within the equine industry. There are a lot of massive organizations in the equine industry that would love someone with an ag or equine background but also has a passion for Human Resources , which is huge. If she continues on that path, her career will have a lot of room to grow financially.
"On the other hand, we also talk to people who want to be a horse trainer. There are certainly some very successful trainers who are well-off, but that is not the majority. If you’re passionate about it, and as long as you can pay your bills, go for it. However, if your goal is work-life balance and financial comfort, the likelihood of that happening as a trainer is slim.
"So, people need to be realistic about their goals. Some roles, like in HR within the equine industry, offer strong financial prospects and career growth. Others, like certain training roles, may require more passion and dedication to succeed financially."
Q: What are the most in-demand equine industry roles?
A: "In the last four or five years, when looking at entry-level positions, the most in-demand roles are hands-on jobs at facilities. These include grooms, veterinary nurses, hotwalkers, and exercise riders. While these positions are considered entry-level, they require specific skills. In other industries, entry-level might mean you can walk in off the street and learn, but in the equine industry, these roles demand more expertise, like understanding how to handle horses safely. Additionally, roles like bookkeepers, CPAs, and even lawyers with a background or understanding of the equine industry are valuable.
“For example, finance professionals at large farms or vet clinics benefit from knowing how the sales process works at auctions like Keeneland. Similarly, social media managers and graphic designers with equine industry knowledge are in demand, as they can create more accurate and engaging content for equine businesses.”
Q: What additional skills can support career advancement?
A: “Besides hands-on equine skills, knowledge of marketing, management, and business is incredibly beneficial for career advancement in the equine industry. For example, understanding marketing allows you to promote equine businesses better, whether through social media or by creating advertising materials that resonate with the right audience. Having management skills means effectively overseeing a team, whether you're managing a barn, a racing stable, or an equine-related business. Strong business knowledge is also crucial for handling budgets, understanding financials, and making strategic decisions to ensure growth and success.
"Ultimately, being adaptable and developing a well-rounded skill set is key. It’s important to understand the business side and be open to learning from others in the industry, which helps expand your knowledge and helps you see things from different perspectives. That combination of practical skills and business acumen can set you up for long-term success."
Key Takeaways:
Understand Industry Needs – Career success in the equine industry starts with understanding the most in-demand roles, necessary skills, and training requirements.
Workforce Priorities Are Changing – Younger generations prioritize work-life balance more than previous generations, influencing how employers might approach pay, benefits, and career development.
Financial Sustainability Varies by Role – Some careers, like equine HR, business administration, and veterinary medicine, offer strong financial prospects, while hands-on roles like training may require greater passion and persistence.
Entry-Level Jobs Require Specialized Skills – Unlike in some industries, entry-level equine jobs such as grooms, veterinary nurses, and hotwalkers require prior knowledge and hands-on horse experience.
Networking and Career Exploration Are Key – Exploring different career paths, gaining diverse experience, and making industry connections can help align passion with financial sustainability.
Be Open to Career Growth – The equine industry allows for career progression; starting in a demanding role does not mean staying there forever. With time and skill development, individuals can move into more sustainable positions.
Business and Marketing Knowledge Can Be a Game-Changer – Skills in management, finance, HR, and marketing can provide stability and open up career advancement opportunities in the equine sector.
Be Strategic About Your Career Goals – Those passionate about horses should be realistic about financial expectations, work-life balance, and long-term career growth when choosing a path in the industry.
There Are Many Ways to Work with Horses – Hands-on roles are just one path; careers in finance, law, administration, and creative fields like graphic design and social media are also valuable to the industry.
Adaptability is Crucial – Combining equine expertise with transferable skills in leadership, business, and technology can set professionals up for long-term success in an evolving industry.
