Nicky Hoseck

Top 10 Benefits of a Horse-Focused Gap Year

With the European summer holidays just around the corner, many wannabe school leavers are buckling under the weight of revision and exam stress. But if you're hoping to secure your first job in the horse world, that exam stress may pale into insignificance once you see what you're up against.

The horse job market is a competitive place at the best of times, and even more daunting when you’re new to it all. So, how can you make sure you stand out? How can you boost your chances of landing a place on that dream equine course or getting your foot in the door at a respected yard?

One of the best ways is by taking a gap year and using it to gain hands-on practical experience — the kind of real-world skills and knowledge you can only get by working closely with horses day after day.

The Gap Year Comeback: Why More People Are Choosing Purpose Over Party

For a while, it seemed as though gap years would prove about as trendy as bolero jackets and statement belts by 2025, but it seems they’re experiencing something of a renaissance (unlike our aforementioned fashions). In the UK alone, somewhere between 183,000 to 232,000 18-24 year-olds took a gap year in 2023 - an increase of just over 10% on the year before.

The gap years these young people are embarking on bear little resemblance to the ones we Generation Xers once thought cool. Gone are the days of what National Geographic describes as “flitting about until the kitty dried up.” Today’s gap year travellers are far more discerning, and are, according to Milly Whitehead, co-founder of specialist gap year travel company The Leap, specifically looking to “do something ethical and responsible.”

Another driving force behind modern-day gap years is to add something of value to a CV or resume, and that couldn’t be more critical than in the world of horses. There’s arguably no other career choice that relies so heavily on hands-on experience, but with horses, it's essential — and with ongoing workforce shortfalls across the equestrian industry, employers are actively seeking candidates who can demonstrate practical skills, reliability, and a genuine commitment to the demanding realities of horse care and management.

Beyond the Yard: How to Transform Your CV With a Working Holiday

What better way to acquire those skills, and a few more to boot, than by pursuing a volunteer opportunity? With around 80% of gap year travelers looking to make themselves more employable, many are drawn to the adventure of a working riding holiday program in a place like South Africa — combining travel, cultural exchange, and hands-on horse experience — though equally valuable opportunities can also be found closer to home by volunteering at UK yards or equine charities.

There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer with horses in the UK, but they won’t necessarily give you the chance to improve your riding, and may even charge you to attend a compulsory volunteer training course.

On the other hand, a working riding holiday program might charge you to participate, but in return, you’ll get a wide range of riding experiences — from exercising fit trail horses to exploring breathtaking landscapes on horseback — as well as invaluable hands-on stable management and horse care experience. Not only do you return home with improved riding skills, but you also gain confidence, resilience, and a stronger, more impressive CV to help you stand out in the competitive horse job market.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of gap year travel and how it can help you hone some of the skills needed to pursue a career in the horse industry:

#2 Demonstrate Passion and Commitment

Volunteering shows you’re not just casually interested but that you’re willing to dedicate time and energy to pursue your passion. Admissions teams and employers often look for people with genuine enthusiasm who’ve proven their dedication.

#3 Build a Stronger CV or Application

Having real-life volunteer experience on your CV helps you stand out. It shows you took the initiative during your gap year rather than just traveling for kicks. It also gives you engaging experiences to share in your cover letters, personal statements, and interviews.

#4 Develop Soft Skills

Working or volunteering in a horse environment teaches valuable soft skills like teamwork, communication, time management, problem-solving, and resilience. These are highly transferable and are often rated as important as technical skills by employers and course directors.

#5 Build Independence and Life Skills

Living away from home means managing daily tasks like cooking for yourself, sharing a house with people from different backgrounds, handling household chores, and navigating communal living.

These real-life skills show maturity, adaptability, and independence, all of which are highly valued by course admissions teams and employers. It’s not just about proving you can work with horses; it’s about proving you can look after yourself and thrive in a professional, shared environment.

#6 Get a Competitive Edge

Courses and employers receive many applications, so you need to stand out if you’re to catch their eye. One of the best ways of doing this is by showing you already understand the realities of working in the horse world and that you’re prepared for the long hours, physical demands, and emotional highs and lows.

#7 Clarify Your Career Goals

Spending extended time volunteering gives you valuable insights into the many different aspects of the horse world and the variety of careers you might pursue. Maybe trail riding isn’t your thing, but the only way to figure that out is by actually doing it.

A month of riding on the beach or working on a busy yard can help you discover where your true interests lie, whether that’s breeding, training, riding instruction, stable management, equine therapy, or another speciality.

#8 Learn Adaptability and Responsibility

Horses require care in all conditions — rain, shine, early mornings, late nights. Showing you’ve worked in this environment proves you can take responsibility and adapt to challenges, a trait highly valued in both study and employment.

#9 Get an International or Cultural Experience (if volunteering abroad)

If you choose to volunteer in another country, you’ll gain cross-cultural experience, broaden your horizons, and often develop language or intercultural communication skills, which can further set you apart.

#10 Demonstrate Initiative and Maturity

A gap year spent volunteering isn’t just a break — it’s a proactive investment in your future. It shows maturity, independence, and the ability to make meaningful choices about your own development.

Conclusion

So, with the end of exams within reach, isn’t it time you started thinking about the best way to turn your gap year into an investment in your future? Whether you dream of galloping down South African beaches or honing your stable management skills closer to home, volunteering with horses offers an unbeatable mix of adventure, personal growth, and professional development.

You won’t just return with better riding or grooming skills — you’ll come back with the kind of resilience, adaptability, and hands-on experience that makes admissions tutors and employers sit up and take notice. In a competitive horse job market, that could make all the difference between blending in and truly standing out.