Interns – Do They Still Exist?
When I was working with horse trading, there was a very well-functioning system for interns in Sweden. You could take on students from agricultural schools, but also private individuals who, for various reasons, had difficulty finding a job. Often the municipality provided financial support, and the intern worked without a salary.
When I write “for free”, I do so deliberately – because it was never actually free to have interns. They were provided with three meals a day, their own room, and sometimes they even brought their own horse. That involved responsibility, time, and costs.
I am fully aware that over the years there has been a lot of discussion about “free labor”, especially concerning young horse girls who were said to work hard without pay. It is a sensitive topic, and the reason I am bringing it up now is that I left the industry many years ago.
In my world, having the right intern has always been a win-win situation. The intern received food and accommodation, but most importantly a realistic insight into what it actually means to work with horses. I never demanded more from an intern than I would have been able to manage myself at the same age. The workday started at eight in the morning, there were plenty of breaks, and they never had to think about cooking – meals were served three times a day, in generous portions.
Those who wanted to were allowed to ride, and the interns were treated as part of the family. They celebrated Midsummer and other holidays with us, and I am still in contact with many of them today. I also received interns from agricultural schools and equestrian high schools, which was both enjoyable and educational.
During my last years of operation, municipalities began to withdraw their internship programs. It became increasingly difficult to find people willing to work in the countryside, and at the same time the debate about “exploited horse girls” grew stronger. Suddenly, one felt portrayed as a slave driver who refused to pay – even though one had offered education, guidance, and a safe and supportive environment.
The truth is that you do not become wealthy from running a horse business. At best, you manage to make ends meet. For me, there simply wasn’t money to employ staff. Hiring employees is extremely expensive once taxes and social fees are included.
In the end, I still tried to employ someone through the employment agency, as some financial support was available. She worked for five days. She dragged her feet and refused, for example, to wipe the nose of a newly arrived horse that had a bit of discharge – “what if it’s strangles?”. She did not want to be around such horses, for fear they might infect her own.
This was despite the fact that I had clearly explained before the employment started that horses sometimes arrived from abroad, and that changing clothes between stables was recommended if she wanted to be extra cautious. She refused to accept that, went home, and never returned. I still had to pay her a full month’s salary, even though she was the one who resigned. On top of that, she spread false rumors throughout the local community that I had strangles in my stable.
That experience was not exactly encouraging when it came to hiring again.
Many of those who today demand that young girls should receive full wages simply do not understand what they are talking about. They have never run a business that barely survives. I struggle to understand why someone with no experience should receive a full salary. Should people also be paid for going to school?
All education is expensive, no matter what path you choose. Many people study for years and graduate with large debts. Here, instead, practical education was offered free of charge, in exchange for help in the stable. Is that really so wrong?
I have countless stories, both good and bad, about my interns. But at heart, I still believe the idea is a good one: helping each other, learning from each other, and growing together.
What do you think?
