Laura Jane Thompson
by Laura Jane Thompson
The horse business, more than any other industry, is all about relationships. It isn’t enough to pad your Rolodex with the names and phone numbers of other equestrian professionals; if you want to succeed in any horse job, you need to get to know other people who share your goals and desires.
The term “networking” might sound pretentious or gimmicky, but the underlying concept holds tremendous value. When you get to know other people in the horse business and you open yourself up to partnerships and opportunities, your career can branch out in limitless directions. And you might find yourself in a better place than you are now.
Here are a few tips for networking in the horse industry, just in case you’re stumped on how to move forward.
1. Forget About Geography
At one time, networking might have meant meeting other people in your specific geographic area, but no more. Even in the horse business, it is possible to find new opportunities with professionals who live in other states—or even other countries.
Horse shows, exhibitions, seminars, and clinics are excellent opportunities to meet people from other places. You might turn up a chance to travel or even to relocate.
2. Put Them First
The traditional approach to networking was to get what you want and get out. Career-minded professionals sometimes only talk to other people in order to further their own careers, which is a selfish—and usually fruitless—way to get to know other horse industry workers.
When you meet someone new through your networking efforts, ask yourself one very specific question: “What can I do to help this person?” Can you put him in touch with a friend who might want to buy his horse? Could you put in a good word with your boss so she might get a job at your farm?
Make networking with you a positive experience, and the good you put out there will be returned. It might take a few weeks or months, or even years, but eventually that person will remember the kind thing you did for him and repay the favor.
3. Make an Impression
Preferably a positive one. When you’re networking, you don’t want to remain another face in the crowd. You want to stand out so the people you meet will remember you down the road.
This doesn’t mean you have to be flamboyant or rude or quirky. It means you need to be yourself. Show off your personality in communication with other equestrian professionals and let them see the real you.
4. Find Common Ground
This is true of any communication, not just networking. If you can find common ground with someone you have just met, you will have accomplished two goals:
a. He or she will remember you; and
b. Conversation will come easier.
Maybe your common ground is that you both rode barrel racers in high school, or maybe you each have a passion for stopping equine abuse. Whatever the case, find some common ground—no matter how small—and use that as a jumping-off point for conversation.
5. Make Introductions
Networking in the horse business can create ripples of after-effects that you don’t even realize are happening. You introduce Sally to Bob; Bob introduces Sally to Amy; Amy hears about you through the grapevine and offers you your dream job.
Sure, that’s a pretty radical example, but things like that actually happen.
Decide right now that you are going to facilitate as many connections as possible through your equine network. Not only might this benefit you in the future, but you’ll be helping others achieve their goals as well.
Laura Jane Thompson is a horse business consultant and freelance writer living in Houston, Texas. You can find more tips on the horse business at Riding Instructor University.
