Becoming a TB groom?

Hello all!

I’m experienced in grooming saddle horses for various trainers at shows. Do TB grooms typically work for one trainer and travel with them to races, or do they just work races all year? How would one go about becoming a groom? What does a groom’s job typically entail at a race/ at home? How much are they usually paid?

If you want to essentially give up your life, work 430am - 500 pm, or longer if theres night racing, 7 days a week, a TB groom is right for you. Grooms generally work year round for the trainer and move from track to track 2-4 times a year. I am not sure the exact going rate these days but usually you will be compensated by the head and should make anywhere from 350-600 a week depending on how many you rub. A good groom is worth their weight in gold. You would have to decide if you want a farm job or a track job. Farm is more stability, track is potentially a LOT more money. Most trainers do not run off the farm.
You will do the usual chores ay both places, stalls, brushing, bathing, and on the farm you may or may not have tacking up duties. Above anything, be supurbly adept at applying both polos and standing wraps. I could go on an on but wanted to briefly answer your questions.

If you live near a track, go to some barns and ask the trainer or foreman to hire you hotwalk. Use the time hotwalking to observe and get to know what the grooms do. Some may let you help them between walking duties. That will set you up for a groom position.

“If you want to essentially give up your life,”

Or trade your pre-groom life for one quite busy but Truly Spectacular.

The years I spent as a Standardbred groom were, by far, among the best and most important of my life. I still cherish all those horses, people, times, memories, what I learned, . . . How very, very, very much I wish I was still “sound” enough to do it.