I work at the Ian Stark Equestrian Centre near Selkirk and my main job is to care and look after around 35 horses and ponies. I also teach some riding lessons, take clients out on hacks and help to run our competition days.

Before I came here I had been working in a completely different field for a number of years, but eventually decided to change to an equine career for better job satisfaction caring for animals.

Being a mature student going back to college was a bit daunting to start with, but I soon settled in and made lots of friends. In fact, the SVQ level 5 and level 6 Horse Care and Equine Management I did through Borders College gave me a great foundation to start my new career.

The course was based at the Ian Stark Equestrian Centre and I loved it. It was very hands-on which I really enjoyed, and there was also a lot of riding involved so I could improve my riding skills.

My first two years at the centre were on a work placement with Borders College, but then I had the chance to apply for a full-time job here, and the knowledge and experience I gained helped me get it. I think it helped that I loved my placement here too.

Each day, I can be feeding the 35 horses I care for, mucking out, grooming, tacking up, dealing with any medical or veterinary treatments, managing pasture, exercising and riding.

I teach beginner and novice lessons for all ages of clients and take rides out for hacks across the countryside in the Scottish Borders.

Throughout the year I also help with other jobs at the centre. It’s actually on a busy working farm so during the spring I help with lambing duties, which I love. I’ve also been known to drive tractors and roll the hay fields, help with never-ending fencing jobs using a sledgehammer and nail gun, and during the winter months I clip the horses to help with their thick winter coats.

First and foremost, you need a love for horses in my job. You have to be very hard working and passionate, be a team player, patient, caring, with a good eye for detail. It’s definitely not the normal 9-5. You need to be able to work for long hours and it’s very manual so you have to be pretty fit. But I do absolutely love caring for all these horses and ponies and being around them.

The things I’m most proud of are gaining a full-time job after my work placement and being awarded the runner-up prize for Equine Learner of the year at Lantra Scotland’s ALBAS ceremony.

I’m lucky to be working in the Scottish Borders as it’s beautiful countryside all around and we’re spoiled by the views that we get when out riding in the hills.

The only advice I’d give to anyone thinking about changing career is to just do it! It’s never too late and for me it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.