A Horse Career....

[Equestrian Poet]

My first one-hour riding lesson at the age of thirteen was to take me on a long adventure with a future I could not have imagined. After returning to the stable I was ready to become the next David Broom even Alan Oliver, famous show jumpers at that time. To you younger riders you will have to google them!

I continued riding as often as possible at Clarke’s Riding School in Wandsworth, London where I later received a weekend job and learned how to muck stalls and clean tack my payment being a one-hour ride on the common. Due to my riding ability, I was given the opportunity to supervise rides during my school holidays. Horses were all I could think about to the point of cycling more than an hour from home to the stables just to sit on my bike outside the closed gates listening to the horses inside. It was well worth the long ride home.

My school studies were suffering as horses were my only interest. I left school at the age of fifteen to be given a job at a riding school called Whites Stables in Roehampton, London. My first day of work began on Boxing Day. The stables were adjoined to the Roehampton Golf and Tennis Club. From the stables, a riding track led alongside the golf course to Richmond Park. It was an enjoyable job during a time of Beatle mania and the Rolling Stones era.

To be continued pending likes and reviews

 

[maisie06]

I would like to red more!

 

[Rumtytum]

We must be around the same age, David Broom was one of my heroes ?.
Yes, I would like to read more

 

[Equestrian Poet]

Continued...

The stables were often visited by well-known entertainers including the controversial Christine Keeler, an escort of high repute whom
the boss appeared to have a relationship.

It was also a time of owning my own horse when I was given the opportunity to experience fox hunting and riding with the Chiddingfold Farmer's Foxhounds. My horse was boarded free as I used him to take rides from the stables.

I adapted well to Instructing others to ride. It was an opportunity to meet people of all ages and Nationalities. I most admired those having disabilities as they were courageous individuals with determination, more than most having no disabilities. The horse's personality always appeared calmer in their presence.

My first six years were the start of a career I could not have imagined and it was time to move on to another equine experience.

Next chapter fox hunting and country life!

 

[Fieldlife]

More please

 

[horsesense]

Interested to hear of you working at Whites as I rode there as a teenager and later with them when the stables moved to the other end of the road next to the park. The track alongside the golf course was called the spinney.

 

[Equestrian Poet]

Interested to hear of you working at Whites as I rode there as a teenager and later with them when the stables moved to the other end of the road next to the park. The track alongside the golf course was called the spinney.

That's correct the Spinney. I was there for five years working with Alan Clifford that continues to be a dear friend. Ted was the head man that lived in a caravan on the property. We called the boss Chalky and I was named Josh! I had long gone prior to the stables moving.

 

[Equestrian Poet]

My first day was learning the routine starting at seven am to feed the horses and muck out stalls. Victor gave me a canvas sheet used for carrying out the bedding by swinging it over my back and walking to the manure pile to dump it. It became easier as time went on. I didn’t like to mention the word wheelbarrow so early in my employment. When mucking out was done It would be time for breakfast. Taking turns with Chad to cook a fry up before getting horses ready for exercise by riding one and leading another.

Once mounted we rode with six horses myself in the center position.

We would take to the road facing oncoming traffic with lead horses being on the curbside. I remember approaching a hump-back bridge, a bridge blind to oncoming traffic until you reach the top. A quick ‘Hail Mary’ was appropriate here! Horses on highways in England to this day have right of way. Not that anyone takes any notice. Having once put a gravel truck in the ditch when riding.

The ride was approximately two hours with much trotting. During this time we would often meet other horses being exercised from other stables in the area and this is when I met Terry my wife-to-be, exercising polo ponies from the Waldridge Manor.

On returning to the kennels we would clean tack and groom the horses while one of us would take out the last two on a shorter exercise that conveniently passed the pub for a quick refreshment. Later in the day we would prepare the tack for the following day's hunt and braid the mains on the horses scheduled to hunt that day.

I learned much from Victor the head groom. His knowledge of horse medications was very interesting as he made his own. He had a black book with his recipes for treating all conditions from colic to mud fever and he would not allow anyone to read it. I learned from Victor how to float horses' teeth. Done much differently today.

I dedicated my book of horse poetry ‘Horse Daze’ to him.

I was measured for a jacket, breeches, boots, and hat from “ Harry Hall” a London clothing store, as Second horseman had to wear matching attire to be distinguished from other riders following the hunt. I could not imagine myself wearing a bowler hat. It was then I realized how much tradition I was becoming involved with.

In the summer I sold my horse to Phil Oliver father of showjumper Alan Oliver a showjumping family as their farm was down the road from the kennels. With the money, I purchased a motor scooter that allowed me to visit home on my days off.

During the summer months, the horses would be turned out at the Master’s farm in Amersham. I would then be working in the kennels. It was here that I learned how to skin and clean dead livestock donated to the hunt by farmers. The meat was boiled to feed the hounds along with meat pies given by the Master’s company of Brazils Pies. There was also a joint master to the hunt Captain Peter Courage of Courage Brewery although no beer was given to hounds or staff! I later found that my good friend Alan had worked with the Courage brewery horses.

During the summer months, my friend Mark and I started one of the first mobile discotheques called The Blue Blue Disco, catering to a few weddings and parties within the equestrian community. We became quite popular and later opened a discotheque at a pub in Henley-on-Thames.

Working for the hunt gave me the opportunity to compete at hunter trials with the Master’s horses along with training his Point to Point horses (Horses racing over jumps)

Riding over fences was a new experience for me as I had never jumped fences at a fast gallop. On my first attempt I put my trust in the horse as my eyes were closed on takeoff although it felt exhilarating when I opened them on landing. This sport can be viewed on Google.

I learned much about foxhounds and hunting during a time when I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. I thought my career was over. In those days having diabetes was not so advanced as it is today. I stayed a week in Stoke Mandeville Hospital where I learned how and where to inject myself with insulin. It was important in those days to eat correct meals at regular times and my job was not going to accommodate my condition as it would today.

I decided to leave the Old Berkeley and was offered a job on a Thoroughbred stud farm. Thoroughbreds were not a breed that impressed me but I was up to the challenge. To be continued.

 

[FlyingCircus]

I'm so confused

 

[Equestrian Poet]

I was reading the want ads in Horse & Hound and noticed a job vacancy for a second horseman with the Old Berkeley Hunt in Buckinghamshire. I wasn’t sure what this involved but I had been fox hunting a few times. I discovered a second horseman’s job was to groom, exercise, and care for the hunt servants' horses. But the official position was to take fresh horses (second horses) to the Master of Hounds and hunt servants on a specific day of hunting to provide them with fresh horses.

There was much controversy over fox hunting at the time but It didn’t deter me from applying for the job. I was invited by the huntsman Jim Benet to visit the Old Berkeley Hunt kennels in Kimblewick, Buckinghamshire. He explained my position would be the second horseman to the Master of Foxhounds and showed me around the stables and kennels, including accommodation he called a bothy (one-bed sit) there was a kitchenette in a second bothy where I met the second horseman to the Huntsman and Whipper-In named Chad. There was one hot meal a day provided by the head groom's wife for a few pounds a week. I was introduced to the head groom Victor Williams who was in charge of the horses, eight in all. It was an interesting position and one I was pleased to accept. I was looking forward to working with one of the most traditional packs of foxhounds in England that dated back to the eighteenth century.

My first day was learning the routine starting at seven am to feed the horses and muck (clean) out stalls. Victor gave me a canvas sheet used for carrying out the bedding by swinging it over my back and walking to the manure pile to dump it. It became easier as time went on. I didn’t like to mention the word wheelbarrow so early in my employment. When mucking out was done It would be time for breakfast. Taking turns with Chad to cook a fry up before getting horses ready for exercise by riding one and leading another.

Once mounted we rode with six horses myself in the center position.

We would take to the road facing oncoming traffic with lead horses being on the curbside. I remember approaching a hump-back bridge, a bridge blind to oncoming traffic until you reach the top. A quick ‘Hail Mary’ was appropriate here! Horses on highways in England to this day have right of way. Not that anyone takes any notice. Having once put a gravel truck in the ditch when riding.

The ride was approximately two hours with much trotting. During this time we would often meet other horses being exercised from other stables in the area

On returning to the kennels we would clean tack and groom the horses while one of us would take out the last two on a shorter exercise that conveniently passed the pub for a quick refreshment. Later in the day we would prepare the tack for the following day's hunt and braid the mains on the horses scheduled to hunt that day.

I learned much from Victor the head groom. His knowledge of horse medications was very interesting as he made his own. He had a black book with his recipes for treating all conditions from colic to mud fever and he would not allow anyone to read it. I learned from Victor how to float horses' teeth. Done much differently today.

I dedicated my book ‘Horse Daze’ to him.

I was measured for a jacket, breeches, boots, and hat by “ Harry Hal” a London clothing store as the Second horseman had to wear matching attire to be distinguished from other riders following the hunt. I could not imagine myself wearing a bowler hat. It was then I realized how much tradition I was becoming involved with.

In the summer I sold my horse to Phil Oliver as their farm was down the road from the kennels. With the money I purchased a scooter that allowed me to travel home on my days off.

During the summer months, the horses would be turned out at the Master’s farm in Amersham. I would then be helping in the kennels. It was here that I learned how to skin and clean dead livestock donated to the hunt by farmers. The meat was boiled to feed the hounds along with meat pies given by the Master’s company of Brazils Pies. There was also a joint master to the hunt Captain Peter Courage of Courage Brewery although no beer was given to hounds or staff! I later found that my good friend Alan had worked with the Courage brewery horses.

Working for the hunt gave me the opportunity to compete at hunter trials with the Master’s horses along with training his Point to Point horses.

Riding over fences was a new experience for me as I had never jumped fences at a fast gallop. On my first attempt, I put my trust in the horse as my eyes were closed on takeoff although it felt exhilarating when I opened them on landing.

I learned much about foxhounds and hunting during a time when I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. I thought my career was over. In those days having diabetes was not as advanced as it is today. I stayed a week at Stoke Mandeville Hospital where I learned how and where to inject myself with insulin. It was important in those days to follow a strict routine, whereas today it is more flexible and my job was not going to accommodate that as it would today.

I decided to leave the Old Berkeley at a time it was to amalgamate with two other hunts changing its name to The Vale of Aylesbury Foxhounds when I was offered a job at a Thoroughbred stud farm. When I was still at school I would spend many a Saturday afternoon watching horse racing on the tv, just to view the horses. It must have been fate that years later I would become involved with Thoroughbreds.

Accepting this job meant I was not required to ride. I did stay in contact with Victor and on occasion meet him for a pint at his local.

My decision to work with Thoroughbreds was to take me into unknown territory.

 

[maggiestar]

I enjoyed reading that, thanks!

 

[stangs]

An interesting read, thank you for sharing.

 

[Lynnfigaro]

I am enjoying reading all that you have written too. I hope you continue to with this .

 

[horsesense]

Very interesting, looking forward to the next installment.

 

[Equestrian Poet]

I'm so confused

Sorry to hear that!

 

[Equestrian Poet]

My decision to work with Thoroughbreds was to take me into unknown territory.

I met Doug Ginder the stud groom at Aston Park Stud. He offered me a job that he said would be different to what I was used to. My parents had bought a cottage only minutes from the stud farm, so I was back living at home.

Their cottage was conveniently located next door to the local pub ‘The Cherry Tree’ in Kingston Blount where my new venture originated over a beer.

Doug invited me to the stud to meet the owner Jeremy Wilder. He was a company director to EMI Records that signed on The Beatles. Look them up on Google if you are oblivious to the band that changed the music world. My visit was short and I left having a new job.

Thoroughbred stud farms in England had a significant staffing protocol. The stud groom was responsible for the general duties and running of the stud. The second man would take charge when he wasn’t available. The stallion man was responsible only for the stallions and the stud hands handled mares, foals and daily chores.

On my first day as a stud hand, I began feeding and turning out horses into their appropriate paddocks. I was also introduced to a large wheelbarrow that came with a fork and rake. I was directed to the broodmare yard to begin the chore of mucking out.

All the stable doors opened out into the yards. It was not a pleasant chore when raining. There was also a tractor and trailer used for other yards, as there were six separate yards.

I was given the morning job of mixing a bran mash for the afternoon feeds consisting of Canadian oats and bran, mixed with hot water in two large feed barrows. Mixing and feeding a mash daily in two large feed barrows was a strenuous job.

Mares would be teased by a stallion and would be checked by the vet to determine when they should be bred. The vet was Dr. Baskerville DVM.

Mares with young foals at their side were turned out in individual paddocks while mares with older foals would be turned out together.
Leading both mares and foals together was stud policy.
Seldom were foals allowed to run free except in unpredictable situations.

All foals were handled from the first day they were born. Halters were applied once they were able to stand. These procedures had a similarity to what is now known as imprinting. This was not a new concept in the breeding industry.

I missed out on marketing such a concept.

My first foaling…

The foaling season would begin in January. The breeding season officially started on Feb 14 for the Thoroughbred industry.

From that time forward it would be busy with horse boxes arriving throughout the week and unloading mares often accompanied by their uncontrollable foals. Their behavior changed when being handled daily by the staff.

Cameras in foaling stalls were not an option in those days as they are today. A member of staff would be assigned to night watch that began at 9pm until 7am. There were two foaling stalls separated by what was known as a sitting up room. The person sitting up was responsible for watching not only the mares close to foaling but also the rest of the pregnant mares in the stable yard.

The stud groom or the second man would be on call along with the vet. Missing a mare foaling was not taken lightly and would often result in consequences.

My first foaling experience was supervised by Doug. He explained how to check the correct position of the unborn foal during the first stages of labour and when to assist and not to assist during the birthing process.

Madden mares { Mares having their first foal) were not my favorite of mares when foaling as they would seldom settle and occasionally stand giving birth. Keeping the foal from dropping to the ground was an exhausting experience to say nothing of needing a change of clothes once safely delivered.

My Introduction To Stallions….

I finally got my wish to work with the stallions as a third stallion was to arrive named Swing Easy.

Colin the stallion man gave me some advice on my first day handling stallions. That was duly noted and carried with me when handling many more stallions I would unknowingly handle in the future.

The stallion yard was self-contained with three stables. The yard had a high wall surrounding its paddock and yard. It was a graveled yard displaying flowers around its perimeter. It was a showpiece to visitors.

I cared for the stallion named Frankincense and Colin had Derring-Do we shared Swing Easy that had the habit of opening his stable door..

I didn’t handle Derring-Do often but on days when I did. I believed this horse was mentally disturbed as he would bite the light bulbs hanging from the fixtures in his stable. I didn’t wish him harm but I was hoping a slight shock would deter him, although never did. He was also difficult to catch when turned out in the stallion paddock. He enjoyed galloping straight at me when called and kicking out in passing with intention of making contact. I became smarter in time by predicting his movements which he soon relinquished.

I was however kicked on the knee by Frankincense when I surprised him when he was busy eating, bringing me to the floor in tears and being totally my own fault. He looked sorry as he turned to look at me.

The stallions would be walked in hand off the stud three days a week on a historical trail called ‘The Icknield Way. An old dirt road dating back to the thirteenth century. It was often said the highwayman Dick Turpin would be seen headless on his horse. He was known for robbing horse-drawn carriages.

The walk would take approximately two hours depending on how many drinks we were bought at the two pubs on our way home. The locals enjoyed seeing the stallions. I was by this time ready for a sugar boost.

Colin moved on to a job in Newmarket leaving me to handle the stallions with another staff member. My acquaintance with Derring-Do greatly improved as I became more confident with daily handling. I did however remove the light bulbs.

The stud had a yearling division that required members of staff to help lead yearlings being prepared to sell at the Newmarket Yearling Sales. It was a morning exercise for all involved leading six to eight yearlings around a field for an hour that in some cases was quite the bucking scene. This was done to get them used to be led at the sales.

I had seen photos of a breeding farm in Canada called Winfield's Farm in Oshawa, Ontario which was owned by E.P.Taylor breeder and owner of the great Canadian racehorse Northern Dancer. A horse gaining greater interest than Secretariat in the world of racing.

I wrote a letter to the farm manager Peter Pool inquiring if he would be interested in hiring a married couple and included some details of our experience. Three weeks later I received a reply offering us both employment and advising us to visit the Canadian Consulate in London to begin the paperwork.

To be continued…

 

[Equestrian Poet]

I'm so confused

Sorry,

I'm so confused

this chapter is the second chapter to the above!

 

[Equestrian Poet]

I have been fortunate to have had a successful career with horses by doing and learning from others. Hands-on in the field suited me better than studying, as I felt a book may give some knowledge but not help with the actual actions of the moment.

I had seen photos of a breeding farm in Canada called Windfields Farm in Oshawa, Ontario, that was owned by Mr. E.P.Taylor a breeder and owner of the great Canadian racehorse Northern Dancer. A horse that was as great as Secretariat in the world of horseracing.

I decided to write to the farm manager Peter Pool inquiring if he would be interested in hiring a married couple and included some details of our experience. Three weeks later I received a reply offering us both employment and advising us to visit the Canadian Consulate in London to begin the paperwork.

We then had to announce our decision to family, friends, and boss that we were considering emigrating.

After visiting the Canadian Consulate we had to wait for their approval and were told not to sell or buy any items until confirmation was received.

With much disappointment we were denied entry to Canada on the grounds there were too many Canadians with our job experience. I immediately contacted Mr. Poole and after a couple of days, I received a phone call informing me arrangements had been made for us to return to the Consulate. It was a short visit to sign papers with apologies for any inconvenience from the Consulate official.

Who or what changed their previous decision was of little concern. We were approved to enter Canada to work.

A fair well party was given at the stud. The boss gave me an envelope containing our airfare to Canada as a parting gift.

During my time at Aston Park, I had achieved the positions of Stallion man and Second man. It was indeed a proud accomplishment considering I knew nothing of breeding Thoroughbreds when I first started.
If I gained anything from my experience it was that my commitment to horses could take me anywhere.

In Oct of 75. We were leaving for Canada.

Our goodbyes with family at Heathrow were an emotional and anxious time. I will admit as I looked down on London from the plane I was a little choked leaving home and going into unknown territory, but two shots of rye made it all seem easier.
My story can end here or be continued as it will no longer be a reference to the British horse industry.

 

[Equestrian Poet]

Sorry,


this chapter is the second chapter to the above!

Can't help you if you don't explain!