[tbtrainer]

Originally Posted by Endorphins4u2

Hun, don't go down that road..

In the other thread you said-

"I'm proud that I'm not going down the wrong road, and grateful that I have grown up in an environment that has guided me in the right direction, as some unfortunately do not have the luxury of . I do my research on my politics and am a proud Democrat. My family comes first. I am a Baha'i, which promotes study (as I assume many religions do). I am a proclaimed individual and critical thinking is of high importance to me. Currently, I am taking a psychology class at the community college and next term, I will be taking the philosophy class. Why do I get up at six in the morning to take these classes? Because it matters to me. I want oto try. Yes, there are many kids that do NOT value critical thinking or other people, and yes, the likelihood that there are more kids than adults that don't value critical thinking is probably true, but I have met PLENTY of adults who I question their basic intelligence on a daily basis. There are many kids that I know that hold basically the same principles that I do, and I have noticed many younger people on this forum that are the same way. "

Don't waste it by going to the track. If you have the brain you say, use it. Anybody that can use a fork or sweep can get a job in the stables.

I left school at 14 to go to the track and have spent 20 years trying to get out. You don't drink, smoke and look after yourself ? The track life style is the complete opposite to what your use to.

I pick things up fast and kept my head above water because I could ride, others who started at the same time weren't so lucky.

If you want an eye opener, go to the track on weekends and work. Tell them you'll work for free and you'll find somewhere. I'm pretty sure your study at school will improve dramatically. Oh, and you better take an ipod, the language down there isn't the best...LOL

Yea, what he said....

[tbtrainer]

On a more serious note... I worked at the track for 25 yrs... started as an excersise rider, (my first two weeks I was a groom untill the trainer figured out I could ride like I said I could)... I galloped horses, rode races, and ended with my trainers license.

It is a tough business, and I've witnessed some nice kids swallowed up by it.

I went in with a goal, and reached it, had good advice early... go to work, do your job and leave. Most dont though.

There are some excellent trainers out there, and they are also good people. You do need an in, or you could be easily taken advantage of (no matter how savy you think you are).

The horses can be rough, on the ground, and to ride... a good trainer will want to keep you safe... your on his workmans comp after all.

Galloping horses is not as glamorous as it seems... it's early mornings, tough horses, freezing temps, and hot muggy mornings... and usually 6-7 days a week, 365 days a year.

A summer job hotwalking isnt the worst job to have though, if you can get in a nice barn, people will generally look out for you... you start around 5:30 am and finish before 11:00 am.

[MissCriss]

Oh no no, guys, I don't want to permanently work at racing barn/farm. I just wanted to see if it was POSSIBLE to be able to work at one temporarily for free as a groom or more likely, a stable hand. That's why I came here to ask you guys what your opinion was because I'm very unaware about what goes on at the track or at these farms. I wanted to ask here first before I got myself into anything.

And to everyone, please don't feel you are discouraging me lol. I appreciate your honest opinions and want the truth about it. If it isn't a good situation, then I am totally fine not getting involved with it, and won't go through it. I know my trainer used to work as an exercise rider at TB farms for a little while, and at the same time had another job, I believe. She is a GREAT horsewoman, so I kind of wanted to go on the same path she did.

Now, could THIS situation perhaps work out?

There is a farm here in AZ where one of my best friends used to lend a hand on, because her friend's family owned the place. She worked on weekends. It is a very low key place and they breed the TBs. As far as I know, most of them don't become superstars, and they don't do a lot of race work there at the property, even though they do have a track. My friend said that one of the exercise riders there would always be there to help her and teach her things about handling the horses. Most of the horses there, according to her, were pretty easy to handle, I'm guessing because the people there took the time to teach them manners. Who knows.

Anyways, do you think THAT might be a good place to go to? Just weekend work. I definitely don't mind getting up early. Basically, I kind of want to find someone that can teach me how to handle "problem/difficult" horses. I know it's dangerous, but I WANT to learn eventually. If people here suggest I wait till I am an adult, I will take the advice, no problem. But I know that I DEFINTELY want to learn to ride and handle the hotter horses. I'm willing to work very hard for it. Riding in the big dressage shows has been my dream for years now, and I am not giving up on it no matter what happens (well...unless I lose an arm or something lol).

My trainer teaches me the dressage part, and she does teach me a lot of things concerning how to handle "difficult" horses, but she just doesn't have enough time to spend real one on one time with me handling the tough ones, because she is riding about ten horses a day plus lessons.

[tbtrainer]

That sounds like an ideal situation... although I have to say that I've never worked for free... wish I could find kids that wanted to on our farm! My opinion is that if you are working, you should be compensated for it.

[MissCriss]

Originally Posted by tbtrainer

That sounds like an ideal situation... although I have to say that I've never worked for free... wish I could find kids that wanted to on our farm! My opinion is that if you are working, you should be compensated for it.

lol! I would most likely work for free if I had time this summer to be sent over there. I basically just want the "education" as compensation. What kind of compensation would a stable hand get, do you think? Or what would be fair to ask for?

It doesn't even have to be at a racing barn really, I just want to find someone that can teach me how to handle difficult horses. I figured a racing farm would be a good idea, because that's where my trainer learned a lot of her horse handling. I THINK that is one of the reasons why she was able to bring two dirt cheap OTTBs up to the FEI levels in dressage that were able to show in CDIs...I'm not sure but I think both were brought up to Grand Prix, and I know one of them at least was. She is an amazing rider in the sense that she takes in all breeds instead of just Warmbloods, and that is the kind of rider I'd like to become. I think it would be very rewarding to give a horse another chance--it would also cost me a lot less money lol. I have no idea where those TBs would have ended up, but stories she has told me about them, they needed very special handling as they were extremely sensitive and easily frazzled.

[gluey33]

From the sounds of it Your desire is to be a better horseperson. A short stint in a racing barn eill give you a new insight into a lot of things and where your friend worked sounds good. But how about also thinking of trying to get work with other trainers, in other disiplines as well. There are great horse people everywhere. If you know of someone in your area who breaks in, see if they'll let you watch even if you clean a yard or two for the privelege and really take note of how a horse reacts to what he does. Learn to read ears eyes and other signals a horse can give. Even watch others in your barn and how their horses react and behave. You may get lucky somewhere and actually find someone who is gifted and has the time and ability to share it with you.

[shenanigans]

I have just have to pipe up here, I went to work at our local track in BC when I was 17, I stayed for 10 years then moved onto breeding farms. I also trained & did consignments for the summer sales.
I Loved the work, it was some of the hardest work I have ever done, but I Loved it.
I learned so much, and I worked with both good & bad trainers.

I stayed for 2 reasons, I Loved the horses with a passion & I had a deep rooted desire for knowledge. I rarely met a mean one..alot of tough, on the muscle, fresh & high strung ones but not many mean ones at all. Schooled the odd one with a lip chain, but never walked one with it, except for 1 in the paddock as he was being saddled on the move.
I lived at the track for 4 years before I could get a place of my own, I was no angel but I sure didnt get messed up with the "wrong crowd" so to speak.
My reason for being there was to learn nore detailed knowledge of horses, athletes, health issues abounded & learning to nurse or repair a horse physically and or mentally was a routine occurance. The majority of horses I worked with were hard core claimers, war horses...they taught me about respect & pride.

I gave up summer holidays & worked crazy mad hours, w/o afternoons off. Thats when they could fill a 10 race card w also eligables & ran 5 days a week. The racetrack is the reason I am the person I am today, I feel that if you want to learn any discipline you need to roll up your sleeves & get your hands dirty, racing is no different with the exception of the vast knowledge & experience that helps your education ...from there you go onto whatever you choose, for me it was always thoroughbreds.
The finest breed of horse I know in my personal opinion...I Love them & admire them deeply.
If I ever got into the business of rehabbing & rehoming horses I would take in as many ottbs as I could help, for now I will do it one horse at a time.

Good luck in your search for knowledge & experience, I wish you the very best & hope that you have the chance to learn what makes these horses stand out from so many other breeds.

I always considered my time with racehorses as honour not a job

Lorna

[thespa]

Smarty Jones' exercise rider was 170 pounds.

[Circle C]

Exercise riders are usually of "normal" size .... helps build stamina and muscle the more weight they carry. If they can gallop a good time with a 160lb person, just think how fast they can fly with a 100lb jockey A jockey would almost be a reliefe to the horse on race day haha

[tbtrainer]

I usually dont like excersise riders over 140... and that is about the top desirered weight a rider should be... I have used riders that are heavier for rank and tough horses though. It really depends on the rider, I would rather have a good rider that is a little heavy, then a bad rider that is light!