I understand the concern, but yes, they are like minded. I definitely can’t say that about all barns I’ve ever been at, and if I was still at my previous barn I would be having a much different conversation. A good reminder to know your audience.
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They are here illegally and broken the law. Those who hide them will be arrested too.
They had all this time to file for citizenship or renew work visas.
Sorry, but they have to go home because they broke the law. This goes for all; Irish, Scottish, Polish, Russian, Italians etc. Any other country will do the same if you entered illegally or overstayed your visa.
Try to stop ICE and you’ll be arrested too.
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Absolutely agree with this. It’s not just offering better wages. The big problem working with horses is that there is a high risk of injury. And not being offered health insurance while working in this industry doesn’t make many people want to take on these jobs (rightfully so). But the deeper issue with that is that Americans have to rely on their jobs (generally speaking) to have decent health insurance.
At my first barn managing job out of college, my bosses offered to pay after 6 months working for them a portion of my health insurance. I couldn’t find a plan that was affordable, even with their help. I ended up getting kicked by an unruly 5 year old draft horse that sent me flying. The f****** owner of the draft said to me “he must have sensed something in your body unaligned.” This came from a wealthy woman, and she did not offer any financial compensation or anything really. Who wants to deal with crazy people like that for low wages and no health insurance or other perks in potentially crappy weather?
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Where I live, a city known for its equestrian activities, there is only one way into and out of the very large hispanic community where many of the horse farm workers live. ICE will not have to enter private properties at all, just set up a check point on the public road,
I don’t have any employees myself, but those in my equestrian community who have barn employees and use yard crews report many employees and other workers have gone missing from their jobs this week. Whether or not these workers are legal or not fear has set in. That I think is what Project 2025 intended to happen.
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It’s a good thing native americans didn’t say that when the pilgrims showed up 
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Yes. ICE doesn’t do much to figure out who’s legal up front. Just arrest 'em all. I think what’s going to happen is still beyond prediction.
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BT;DT.
This was a woman who owned three different farms in three different countries, including an extremely nice one in a prime area of Wellington. I never saw the other two farms, although I’m sure they were equally nice.
But when I got badly hurt by a horse while I was working for her… too bad, so sad.
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Do you think ICE is going after the illegal immigrants from those countries?
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Oh my. You really don’t understand the process, do you? And your statement is insulting to people who have come to this country, made lives here, work here, pay taxes here, and have absolutely no path to citizenship.
Educate yourself.
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On the skilled/unskilled continuum, I recall when I was a university undergraduate reading US Govt material that stated women raising children were less skilled than a worker in a chicken processing factory. Why? Because women only had one task - raising their children - but the factory worker performed two tasks as they dunked the bird in water before then plucking it. Yes, really!!
I read of returnees arriving in Columbia wearing handcuffs and not being given water to drink or been permitted to go to the toilet for the duration of the 6 hour flight from America. It doesn’t play well to the international audience. Relationships will quickly shift. China is standing in the wings.
Every person should be treated with dignity.
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Omg. I hope the person who arrived at that conclusion has long since died of old age or extreme stupidity.
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Really? Maybe because my farm is all fenced in but there certainly are times you let go to save yourself!
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So the horse is more important than the groom? I was at a show and saw a horse freak out. The handler tried to hold the horse, got pulled off her feet and was being dragged with the hooves not far from her head. Once she finally let go the horse stopped and stood there. The lack of release of pressure and the person on the ground was causing more panic to the horse.
That handler could have gotten killed or badly injured in the thought of “Don’t let go”
I was at another horse show when a horse reared and struck his handler twice. Yes, they had to let go. Was that handler supposed just keep getting popped by the horse?
I am using the term handler since I don’t know if these were trainers, owners, grooms, friend of owner.
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I was thinking more about the “firing offense.” I really want to hear that conversation go down. “Hey Brad. I really appreciate your help, and I know Pookie was acting like a rank bastard because XYZ reason, but you prioritizing yourself over my animal is unacceptable. You’re fired.”
I hope you offer workman’s comp. Haha, just kidding, we all know they get 1099ed or paid under the table.
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However you feel about it, it’s the bottom line most places, whether it’s racehorses or show horses. Horse may be a stallion or worth several million dollars, the linchpin of someone’s entire career or just little Suzy’s best friend, but if you are responsible for its wellbeing you do not let it loose. Letting it go is the best way to get kicked anyway.
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Rule number one in same horse handling is the human’s safety always comes first. You should be 100% deeply ashamed at thinking such a though let alone writing it down.
For any grooms that work for you, I hope they never end up with life altering injuries due to your stupid policy. If they do, may you be sued for every dime you ever dreamed you may have.
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Dude, I’ve been the groom. The horse is more important than the groom, the rider and the trainer. The stirrups are adjustable, but some of the horses are absolutely irreplaceable. Talk to anyone who handles horses for a living.
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Dude. NO horse is ever worth more than a human’s life. That you think it can be says an awful lot about you - none of it good. That you believe this to be true of all people handling horses for a living is downright stupid.
Someone pulled the wool over your eyes, fed you a shit sandwich, and patted you on the head and told you, “Good girl. Now you understand you are worthless we will get along just fine.”
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I’m guessing the posters aren’t on your level. I know what you’re saying, and a professional groom or handler would not let go because they have the skill to get the horse back under control.
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