But… do people not worry about the colic risks?!? 
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I think if you’re willing to dehydrate a horse to the point where it’s quiet so it can win at a show, you’re probably not all that worried about colic.
It was about 15+ years ago that I was told about this, and I also had no idea it was a thing so I don’t know the specifics. Another moment of awakening, realizing what people would do to win, and feeling like I’d been riding for so long but had no idea this was what happened behind the scenes.
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I hear what you are saying… it’s just mind boggling to me. And sad.
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Me too. And I am thankful that I had not heard of this practice and no one I have been associated with does it.
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I had a horse like the one you describe. No one could be standing near the warm up jumps or he would literally jump over the standards. I knew where he came from (straight off the track, so no others were involved) and made it a point to avoid them, their clinics, their shows etc forever. I have a friend who was speaking very highly and I’m sure I won’t change her mind but I educated her in what I had experienced.
EWW 
In other news lol who’s hiring again.
More unmentioned perks; getting yelled at and belittled on a daily basis by an old miserable coot.
4 to 6 sentences of related work history?
They aren’t looking for a qualified candidate. They are looking for someone underqualified who will do anything they say because they don’t know differently. That they can manipulate and bully because this is how they operate. Or at least that’s my past experience with organizations who hire like this.
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“Lodging and transportation” provided so you are reliant on them for everything. That seems like a red flag. Why would you want an employee to have zero independence when they come to work for you. Everyone needs their space and a life away from the barn.
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Exactly that, isn’t it. To make them as dependent as possible.
Kind of scary. Some of these groom and/or working student positions turn out to be rather sketch.
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especially in Perth, small town with very limited access to transportation and shopping etc.
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Is there no salary? Only lodging and “transportation”?
You’ve never been to Perth have you?
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This is very common in big barns, though. It doesn’t mean you can’t have your own car. It means you won’t have to drive your own car the 1500 miles to Wellington unless you want to.
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As lodgings wouldn’t be off the mark either, as I sure wouldn’t want to be paying rent for an apartment in Perth or the surrounding area that I would likelyend up using for maybe less than half a calendar year depending on how much traveling is on their program. Leaves more of my hard earned wages in the grooms bank account.
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That goes double for Wellington and Westchester, which is why many employers do offer housing for the grooms.
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Only makes sense doesn’t? I wouldn’t want to worry about a roof over my head for a good half of the year. I’ve followed Millar Brooke (sort of on Facebook) for a couple of years, they are in Perth likely less than they are in other area, so it would be a shitty state if you had to make sure you had somewhere to stay when you go around NA and Europe. Regardless of what BNT stable you’re working for, you’re going to be living out of a suitcase or two.
This sums it up for me.
I never wanted to be a pro especially after meeting my husband and hearing how he couldn’t stomach the lying to clients and underhanded financial dealings that he witnessed working for the top folks in his early chosen area of the horse industry.
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course I have!
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That article was very interesting. Especially the facts about the horses.
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