Anyone have any experience with being a groom? What’s a day in the life like? How about race days? Did you like it?
I’ve been thinking about applying with a local trainer who trained one of our club horses last year. But I’m a little nervous since I’ve never done it before!
I used to own horses (I sold them 4 years ago) though they were an Arabian and half Arabian. I also worked as a stable hand and tacking assistant for lessons right out of high school. And as a kid I used to “work” at a stable where my parents paid for me to ride every other week so I could get extra lessons (yay free child labour lol). That “work” also involved catching, grooming, and tacking up horses for lessons.
I absolutely love horses, and it would be amazing to get back to it if I could just get the confidence to jump into it.
Probably my biggest hesitation is a few years back I got a job at a stable, they required me to do a trial day before I was officially hired. After that day I couldn’t go back. They had these beautiful horses who got turned out into 20’ x 20’ “paddocks” and would get yelled at if they moved faster than a walk or got spunky...They spent their lives in 12x12 stalls or these tiny turn outs. Their owners would only come out to ride once a week with their coach, and wouldn’t do any of the horse care themselves. It was heartbreaking to me. It was our job to do the basics, feed/water, take in and out of the barn, and clean stalls. Though I had my own horses then so my horse pet quota was being sufficiently met, now, not so much
Anyway! This is way longer than I meant it to be...In short: I’d love to know more about being a groom, especially personal experiences!
Being a groom
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- Rochelle Bos
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Being a groom
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• Pension your 2yo or older horse
• Ship your horse to any Kingswood Location
• Sell your horse to Rochelle Bos for $0
Comparison is the thief of joy - Theodore Roosevelt
- The Steward
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Re: Being a groom
I loved being a groom and loved working at the track, but it is absolutely grueling on the body. Seven days a week, gotta be there by 4am, many afternoons you have to return as well. A lot of heavy lifting, a lot of squatting and some racehorses aren't really gentle.
You might actually try to be a part time hot walker, which is still grueling but not nearly as much. You might really like it, walking in circles with a horsey snuffling alongside you, and holding horses for baths.
You might actually try to be a part time hot walker, which is still grueling but not nearly as much. You might really like it, walking in circles with a horsey snuffling alongside you, and holding horses for baths.
"There's no secret to training a good horse. It's a matter of being fortunate enough to get one."
"Funny how you often regret the stuff you didn't do more than the stuff you did do" - GG
"Funny how you often regret the stuff you didn't do more than the stuff you did do" - GG
- Rochelle Bos
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Re: Being a groom
I feel like I need an “in” to the racing scene, though even if this does count as an “in” I still have to find the courage to network and talk with the humans
I don’t think I can just walk up to someone and say hey, if you need someone to hot walk, lmk. Though, maybe if I don’t get this job I can ask him to let me know if they need a part time hot walker or something
I don’t think I can just walk up to someone and say hey, if you need someone to hot walk, lmk. Though, maybe if I don’t get this job I can ask him to let me know if they need a part time hot walker or something
♛ KINGSWOOD ♛
Pensioner Program
• Pension your 2yo or older horse
• Ship your horse to any Kingswood Location
• Sell your horse to Rochelle Bos for $0
Comparison is the thief of joy - Theodore Roosevelt
Pensioner Program
• Pension your 2yo or older horse
• Ship your horse to any Kingswood Location
• Sell your horse to Rochelle Bos for $0
Comparison is the thief of joy - Theodore Roosevelt
- The Steward
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Re: Being a groom
Tracks virtually ALWAYS need help. You go to the stable gate, say you're looking for a job, and they make a PA announcement to all trainers that there is a hot walker at the gate. Problem is that if you do it that way you are expected to show up on time every time.Rochelle Zahacy wrote: ↑4 years ago I feel like I need an “in” to the racing scene, though even if this does count as an “in” I still have to find the courage to network and talk with the humans
I don’t think I can just walk up to someone and say hey, if you need someone to hot walk, lmk. Though, maybe if I don’t get this job I can ask him to let me know if they need a part time hot walker or something
"There's no secret to training a good horse. It's a matter of being fortunate enough to get one."
"Funny how you often regret the stuff you didn't do more than the stuff you did do" - GG
"Funny how you often regret the stuff you didn't do more than the stuff you did do" - GG
- Rochelle Bos
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Re: Being a groom
That is...so simple lol seems so out of the normThe Steward wrote: ↑4 years agoTracks virtually ALWAYS need help. You go to the stable gate, say you're looking for a job, and they make a PA announcement to all trainers that there is a hot walker at the gate. Problem is that if you do it that way you are expected to show up on time every time.Rochelle Zahacy wrote: ↑4 years ago I feel like I need an “in” to the racing scene, though even if this does count as an “in” I still have to find the courage to network and talk with the humans
I don’t think I can just walk up to someone and say hey, if you need someone to hot walk, lmk. Though, maybe if I don’t get this job I can ask him to let me know if they need a part time hot walker or something
♛ KINGSWOOD ♛
Pensioner Program
• Pension your 2yo or older horse
• Ship your horse to any Kingswood Location
• Sell your horse to Rochelle Bos for $0
Comparison is the thief of joy - Theodore Roosevelt
Pensioner Program
• Pension your 2yo or older horse
• Ship your horse to any Kingswood Location
• Sell your horse to Rochelle Bos for $0
Comparison is the thief of joy - Theodore Roosevelt
- Anthony L Carder
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Re: Being a groom
As Em stated, it's a grueling job. I did it for 5 or 6 years and although it can be very rewarding, it can take its toll on your body as well. I highly suggest starting out as a hot walker. As you become comfortable with that, and if you feel up to the task, you could transition to a groom. My biggest pieces of advice would be to try and get in with a reputable trainer, don't hesitate to ask questions, and always be aware of your surroundings, as fun as it is to work around the track, it can be a dangerous one too.
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- Nick Gilmore
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Re: Being a groom
The racetrack does not do part time, lol. Curious, but how old are you Rochelle? It takes a lot of strength and vigour to work at the track. If you’re not an alpha personality, I’d forget it.
- Nick Gilmore
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Re: Being a groom
Getting in is easy, staying in is the hard part.Rochelle Zahacy wrote: ↑4 years agoThat is...so simple lol seems so out of the normThe Steward wrote: ↑4 years agoTracks virtually ALWAYS need help. You go to the stable gate, say you're looking for a job, and they make a PA announcement to all trainers that there is a hot walker at the gate. Problem is that if you do it that way you are expected to show up on time every time.Rochelle Zahacy wrote: ↑4 years ago I feel like I need an “in” to the racing scene, though even if this does count as an “in” I still have to find the courage to network and talk with the humans
I don’t think I can just walk up to someone and say hey, if you need someone to hot walk, lmk. Though, maybe if I don’t get this job I can ask him to let me know if they need a part time hot walker or something