I currently live in the US, a rural northern Michigan. I am/was considering a move to Kentucky in a few years, to work under an established equestrian to gain experience and get my feet of the ground before branching out in my own. But America is fucked. Unless something miraculous happens in the next couple years, I don't want to move to a more populated area. Especially one with high property crime. So I am starting to do some research on moving to a different country. I have barely been out of my state, so this thought is quite scary. But I want to be able to sleep at night, and in my state there is very little opportunity for English riders. I would like to train horses, offer lessons, do some boarding, rescuing the whole deal eventually, and hopefully. Does anyone have any information from someone who lives there or close to a country, about the equestrian community, living there, the government, the norms, things I need to know, as well as living out if the city, because all google want to tell me is city stuff. Can I make a career out of horses in a different country? Thank you guys!

I have lived in the US my whole life but I do know multiple equestrians who have moved to Sweden. I think that might be something to look into.

Switzerland looked promising to me. I'm not sure what I want, I just want to feel safe and not worry about harm coming to myself or my animals.

Starting a business in a foreign country is even harder than doing it in your homecountry.

So instead of moving and starting from scratch I would suggest to find a kind of a co-trainer or volunteer job first and see how things work in other countries and if your actual skills would be searched for in that country.

Depending on your language skills, you should start to consider a mainly English speaking country where riding in the FN style is popular.

England, Ireland, Sweden, Norway or Australia and NewZealand are the first countries that come to my mind....unless you´d know a language like German, Spain or anything else.

Then you should contact the local FN riding associations and ask them how you´d be able to work there and if there are jobs available. Once you´d be in that country for a couple of months you can decide to stay there and build up your business or move on (maybe with the help of your - then made - new connections)

That would be the plan, work under someone to get experience in a new country and get some "credentials" so I'm not a random no name. Then branch out. Ireland has always intrigued me.

Hey, I'm from Ireland and have experience in the equine industry from racing, youngstock to sports horses and showjumping.

It's a completely different culture here and in the UK too, and I'd recommend trying to learn as much as you can before you do make the jump.

Even small things as to the style we ride in, the terminology over here is different, our disciplines (hunters jumpers for example would be a laughing stock here!!) and our horse care etc etc.

The ideal way would be to try get a short term visa and work for a year or so as some kind of riding groom - not sure what discipline you do, showjumping would be most popular here. Hiring solely riders would be less common unless you already had a name for yourself or were an exceptional rider by the standards over here

If you wanted to start up on your own you would really need a few years of work as a groom then start slowly on the side but this is definitely a process that will take longer than you might think

There's huge money to be made importing Irish horses to the US too

Have you visited Ireland or the UK before? I'd strongly recommend coming and seeing the sights, do a few touristy rides etc before you consider moving. No matter how much planning you do online there's nothing like seeing the country in person.

Also ireland is going through an extreme housing crisis at the minute although a good few groom positions do have accommodation included

If there's any other questions or anything not clear let me know!

Also just to add about your plan, if you'd like to teach lessons in Ireland & UK you have to have all your BHS exams done and insurance too which is very costly, even if your giving them in your own place and you cant be employed as a riding instructor (trainer/coach/someone who gives lessons) unless you have these exams done up to Stage 4? I think and usually it takes about 2 years.

Also rescuing isnt as big a thing in EU countries, eg In ireland we have a few horse rescues but there's no auction pens or slaughter lots or anything like that and the equine abuse is actually quite low comparing to the US. It's actually extremely difficult to even foster or adopt a rescue horse over here because of how brilliant these charities are.

I'm in Georgia. I want to move badly, but I'm in no shape to do so. I have two older mares now and no money. My idea, as much as my heart says whatever else, is to move to another area of Georgia, with my own land, get healthier and stronger, get my EMT job, learn how to be my own farrier (course at a credited school of course) and then train my own horses, maybe give lessons, be a barrel rider and enjoy life. I might get into cross country as well. As much as I want to bolt out west, Montana or around it, I do not have the money, health or family means to do so. We have such a short time on this earth, try to make the most of it where you are for now. No one just becomes the best when you have little, you have to work for it. Work for your happy in the best place you can. Other places might not be so welcoming, find one that is in your country for now. There are tons of English riders all over this country, you might have to look harder to find the right fit for you