[QUOTE=Cartier;8311396]
I’d say she’s always ready for anything, and very likely her car is a mess:lol:[/QUOTE]
^ That.
I was planning on going directly from work to the farm yesterday so there’s also a helmet in my car. And a saddle.
[QUOTE=The Blood Bay Mare;8311403]
^ That.
I was planning on going directly from work to the farm yesterday so there’s also a helmet in my car. And a saddle.[/QUOTE]
A very good friend of mine would stop riding to drop her kids off at preschool, and got some crazy looks from the other moms since she had her helmet on…
Well, I did it!
They just had me gallop the mare in a big ring today. She’s fun to ride, honestly doesn’t feel all that different from my horse. I am deplorably out of shape plus suffering from a horrific cold. I was dying by the end of my half hour on her, so I’m going to ride the gelding tomorrow. Thank god this trainer likes me.
Also the trainer’s wife joked that I was fired because I kind of botched the leg up (hopped too soon) and I was terrified until I realized she was joking. Eheh.
Awesome! Stick with it, you’ll be surprised at how fast you get fit.
[QUOTE=Flash44;8313830]
Awesome! Stick with it, you’ll be surprised at how fast you get fit.[/QUOTE]
Rode both of them today! I’m still dying of upper respiratory something, but I rode the gelding for about 45 minutes and the mare for about 30 again. I was told that I may sit if necessary and I discovered that both of these horses’ gallops are easier to sit than my mare’s big uphill canter.
I’ve been invited to ride with the trainer to Monmouth Park for their races ^.^ And we’re looking for a track in the area that will let us breeze. BO at my place said no, and our track isn’t really properly groomed for breezing.
45 minutes? What sort of race are they prepping for? Endurance?
[QUOTE=Laurierace;8314166]
45 minutes? What sort of race are they prepping for? Endurance?[/QUOTE]
Gelding was not galloping the whole time. A couple of breaks due to horse and rider squishiness. He’s surprisingly lazy. It also may have been less time than that, I’m not positive. Mare was quicker but took less energy to ride because I didn’t have to encourage her much.
Honestly I think trainer might be trying to get me fit almost as much as the horses. He sort of snickered at me when my legs protested upon dismount.
That makes no sense to me whatsoever but glad it went well.
[QUOTE=Laurierace;8314345]
That makes no sense to me whatsoever but glad it went well.[/QUOTE]
Which part? The “getting me fit” was kind of a joke, though he did say I need it (and I do). Unfortunately there isn’t a track at the farm, and I’m not sure if there’s an option beyond this ring 
We’re looking for an actual track that we can trailer in to.
Where does this trainer usually condition his horses? He doesn’t know of a place to condition them? That seems strange.
Glad you had fun though. :yes:
So are you considered an employee? Make sure you are covered by the trainer’s Workers Compensation. You need to find out a way to ask as it is really critical–even something as stupid as a broken hand can cost you $$$ and depending how else you make money seriously impact your finances. I understand these are kind horses but even a stumble can put you on your head.
[QUOTE=The Blood Bay Mare;8314384]
Which part? The “getting me fit” was kind of a joke, though he did say I need it (and I do). Unfortunately there isn’t a track at the farm, and I’m not sure if there’s an option beyond this ring We’re looking for an actual track that we can trailer in to.[/QUOTE]
The forty-five minutes up. Most works aren’t that long. And I second skydy’s question, I’m confused a race trainer doesn’t have somewhere he can work his horses. Is it just you’re unlicensed and can’t gallop at the track?
Four star level event horses don’t gallop for 45 minutes. The average race horse wouldn’t gallop 45 minutes in a week let alone one setting. I don’t mean to be rude but they way you describe it makes it sound like no one knows what they are doing and I would be very concerned about making sure they have insurance to cover you in case you are injured. This just doesn’t sound like the way to get your foot in the door of the racing industry.
[QUOTE=danceronice;8314691]
The forty-five minutes up. Most works aren’t that long. And I second skydy’s question, I’m confused a race trainer doesn’t have somewhere he can work his horses. Is it just you’re unlicensed and can’t gallop at the track?[/QUOTE]
The only track in MA closed recently and with it closed most of the other stuff associated with racing in the state. It wouldn’t surprise me if the training facilities were gone too, not much to keep them open with suffolk downs closed.
I said I overestimated the time (I might have been on the gelding for 20 minutes and the mare less because I am a poor judge of time. Also, as I mentioned, probably half the time on each horse was a walk or jog because I’m out of shape), and I’ve established already that I’m not the best at explaining my situation. I think “no one knows what they are doing” is a little uncalled for.
If you stick with it look into getting some sort of insurance or something like Aflac. I know a lot of riders that have Aflac, some sort of ins or both. I understand about looking for a place to ride since you don’t have a license and farms will not allow people who aren’t employed by them to use their tracks. Training centers don’t check for licenses, I have worked at 2 different ones and the only ones with licenses are the ones who actually go to the tracks. Also don’t worry about the time you rode. All the places I have worked that didn’t have access to a track whether it was due to the track surface being frozen or not one at all, the riders were up for 20-30 minutes shedrowing. If they were not riding in the barn, they were riding in a field or inbetween paddocks.
Good luck and hopefully everything works out for you!
OP, horse in race training usually don’t train for long. Depending on the level of fitness, the horse may gallop a mile, which only takes about 3 minutes, or jog a mile the wrong way, or a jog/gallop combo. Regardless, you would only be on the track 5-10 minutes depending on where you came onto the track, your instructions, and where you pulled up to turn around and walk back to the gap.
BUT - it’s nice that the trainer is allowing you an opportunity to learn, and even if his training methods may be unconventional, you are still learning something new.
Details may be a bit skewed…THAT would be a heck of a workout for any horse!! Glad OP is enjoying…just hope she is getting a real race track “education”!!
