Maybe because quite a few of them just want an excuse to hang goggles on their rearview mirror. 
There are alot of female excersise riders that can’t gallop tough horses, or can’t get on bad actors. Yet people pay them top dollar. If your paying freelance riders your stuck.
[QUOTE=Acertainsmile;6028285]
There are alot of female excersise riders that can’t gallop tough horses, or can’t get on bad actors. Yet people pay them top dollar. If your paying freelance riders your stuck.[/QUOTE]
yep, and those of us that could get on the tough ones didn’t get to make the easy money on the pushbutton horses. Get on 5-6 tough ones and ask about the easy ones I know they have “oh,I’m saving those for suzieQ to take out.” grrr
or break your butt getting a bad actor going good just to have suzieQ take it back to square one. argh 
[QUOTE=Acertainsmile;6028285]
There are alot of female excersise riders that can’t gallop tough horses, or can’t get on bad actors. Yet people pay them top dollar. If your paying freelance riders your stuck.[/QUOTE]
Yep. And some girls who think they are an exercise rider really aren’t. I see it every day. I can gallop tough and have all the respect in the world for other women who can do more than hang on.
[QUOTE=lifesabreeze;6028241]
Maybe because quite a few of them just want an excuse to hang goggles on their rearview mirror. ;)[/QUOTE]
I thought that was jockey jumpers… ;):eek::lol:
A pair of goggles from every “mount.”
[QUOTE=lifesabreeze;6028340]
yep, and those of us that could get on the tough ones didn’t get to make the easy money on the pushbutton horses. Get on 5-6 tough ones and ask about the easy ones I know they have “oh,I’m saving those for suzieQ to take out.” grrr
or break your butt getting a bad actor going good just to have suzieQ take it back to square one. argh :|[/QUOTE]
Been there myself. It is not a good thing to gain the reputation for handling the bad ones …then, thats all you get.
Grooms work too — for doing the wound & leg care, all that extra wizardry they think you can do … then, they swap the horse out for the next needy one! Ack!
I paddock all in my string — plus do extra runs. I’m paid well, but also among the few women asked. There are 4 of us in my barn/to 9 men; so thats not bad. Always polite to us, and us girls do get along. >>thank god…I do know those b*tches – horrible creatures.! & no matter how you try to get along!
Given choice?, I prefer to work with the horses, even those determined to slam, ram, jam, bite, kick, & smash you.
:lol::lol::lol:
Just my personal experience, but the hispanic males are sometimes very resentful towards white women working alongside them as grooms. I have been told that it is a cultural thing not personal. That being said, i learned that if you are willing to go out there and work as hard if not harder than any guy in your shedrow you earn respect AND great friends for life. I would say when i was rubbing horses the ratio just for grooms not taking into account hotwalkers exercise riders etc, was about 90/10. A lot of trainers i know wont hire girls, say theycreate too much drama.
It was absolutely my favorite job ever, loved it and still miss it.
I was a groom almost 40 years ago and we girls (even female trainers) were few and far between. In fact there was a rule that women had to be off the track by 9pm (kept the hookers off the backside-no pun intended). Once the male trainers realized how good the women were with (especially mental issue-prone) horses, and the women trainers starting winning on the steady basis, you began to see more and more. We were reliable, hard-working and loved the horses. Even had a great female jockey.
It’s a lifestyle, not just a job. You have to love it. If you don’t, you don’t last. Seven days a week. Rain, snow or shine. At least that’s how it was. I imagine now you have days off, health insurance, etc…
It was absolutely my favorite job ever, loved it and still miss it.
Same here, Jenny. I hear ya on that.
I imagine now you have days off, health insurance, etc.
Yes, CF, even though the lifting of patients has ruined me.
OK, now a more realistic idea. We are looking at relocating in a few years, somewhere more equestrian friendly. (Right now, I’m not that close to any tb racetracks but hope to be after relocating.) What do you all think of the possibility of my seeing if I could help out at a racing barn (for free, of course) one day a week? Rolling bandages, cleaning tack, etc. - all fine - I just want to learn about tb racing in a more hands on way. I’m quiet, easy going, good horse skills, etc. You all know the business, do you think any trainers would be up for it?
If you get to the Ocala/Williston area of FL. let me know. I may be able to hook you up.
Why, thanks so much, CF! How wonderful of you. 
Actually, I’d be going to the New England area. We are cool weather people.
That was so nice of you. Have a great holiday !
Sonoma
[QUOTE=sonomacounty;6033156]
Why, thanks so much, CF! How wonderful of you.
Actually, I’d be going to the New England area. We are cool weather people.
That was so nice of you. Have a great holiday !
Sonoma[/QUOTE]
It used to be that you could show up at the stable gate at Suffolk Downs and tell the guard to announce that you were looking for work. If the trainer needed someone they would come down and get you a pass. You could probably start as a hot walker, although some trainers would hire green help.
[QUOTE=CFFarm;6033300]
It used to be that you could show up at the stable gate at Suffolk Downs and tell the guard to announce that you were looking for work. If the trainer needed someone they would come down and get you a pass. You could probably start as a hot walker, although some trainers would hire green help.[/QUOTE]
Duh, forget the last statement. I forgot you said you had been a sb groom
[QUOTE=jennywho;6030712]
Just my personal experience, but the hispanic males are sometimes very resentful towards white women working alongside them as grooms. I have been told that it is a cultural thing not personal. That being said, i learned that if you are willing to go out there and work as hard if not harder than any guy in your shedrow you earn respect AND great friends for life. I would say when i was rubbing horses the ratio just for grooms not taking into account hotwalkers exercise riders etc, was about 90/10. A lot of trainers i know wont hire girls, say theycreate too much drama.
It was absolutely my favorite job ever, loved it and still miss it.[/QUOTE]
I have yet to experience this.
Work and work hard. Be as good or better and gain respect. I have never had an issue with a hispanic male and respect. And I’ve been their boss. Prove it, and they believe it.
When you are ready OP, there are plenty of connections here that can help you relocate to almost any track of your choosing.
Its usually word of mouth will get you started -- a good trainer wont throw 6 right at you :eek: , but let you ease up to it. Everyone is glad for a hard worker for sure.!
If you come to Pa, let me know and I’ll give you some folks to contact.
[QUOTE=sonomacounty;6033100]
[B]It was absolutely my What do you all think of the possibility of my seeing if I could help out at a racing barn (for free, of course) one day a week? Rolling bandages, cleaning tack, etc. - all fine - I just want to learn about tb racing in a more hands on way. I’m quiet, easy going, good horse skills, etc. You all know the business, do you think any trainers would be up for it?[/QUOTE]
It can depend on licensing regulations/workers’ comp. Locally, trainers purchase the state-mandated insurance by the groom slot (and it is NOT cheap, hence the need for reliable experienced help, and essentially ruling out someone who can’t do it full time.) I have been told by our local HBPA rep that unless you’re licensed, you shouldn’t even handle horses, and if you’re just an owner, you shouldn’t handle any horse that isn’t yours. Hopefully, it’s easier and they’re nicer about it elsewhere.
Slew: Darn, I forgot about that. Makes sense.
Brightsky: I’m going to drop you a pm.
Thanks again, all, and have a great holiday !
