GTs
Well-Known Member
I was featured in todays Bloodhorse Diary entry - http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=39969
I Am Pretty Big Around Saratoga
- Thread starter GTs
- Start date
Enfys
Well-Known Member
pixie
Well-Known Member
Aww, well done Iain!
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
What's a hotwalker?
henryhorn
Well-Known Member
Gosh talk about career turn around! Last time I saw a post of yours you were going to be a vet..
I do feel very strongly with careers it's a case of follow your heart. If you are stuck in a job you loathe it's an awfully long time to be there, and if training is where you want to be, go for it!
I also think learning the job from the bottom is the best way too, once you move on from mucking out at least you will have sympathy for your employees in future and make life easier for them. (not that I'm saying you do that now of course!)
I sometimes watch the racing on Stv, do you do the bit where you lead a horse to the start on a sensible other? I love the horses they use, such a variety, and only watch to see them not the racehorses, who's white bridles I think look horrible!
What else is new in your life then?
I do feel very strongly with careers it's a case of follow your heart. If you are stuck in a job you loathe it's an awfully long time to be there, and if training is where you want to be, go for it!
I also think learning the job from the bottom is the best way too, once you move on from mucking out at least you will have sympathy for your employees in future and make life easier for them. (not that I'm saying you do that now of course!)
I sometimes watch the racing on Stv, do you do the bit where you lead a horse to the start on a sensible other? I love the horses they use, such a variety, and only watch to see them not the racehorses, who's white bridles I think look horrible!
What else is new in your life then?
ruscara
Well-Known Member
I can't say I really understood what it was all about, but it would seem that you are becoming a high flyer!
I wish you all the luck in the world!
seansheep
Well-Known Member
what a lovely write up - congrats and sounds like you're enjoying yourself !
druid
Well-Known Member
Congrats, pet it's a nice write up....what happened to vet school?!
GTs
Well-Known Member
A hotwalker is a very senior role among training stables - OK I kid. Basically after the horse is exercised the rider comes back, and hands you the horse to walk around while it cools off. You generall walk in a small rectangle, going to the left. I have other duties, like cold water wraps, laundry, raking, etc. It is the bottom of the bottom, most hotwalkers in the US are unable to read and write (seriously).
Although I am at the bottom, it is easy to see and, learn their way, and their routine. I do have additional responsibilities, and once this meet is over, my role (I hope) will likely be far organizational/management as well as taking the horses to the races.
Working for Michael is amazing - he too worked from the bottom up (lived in a tackroom at one point), became the US top showjumper, and now has become a leading trainer in racing. He is not above anything, yesterday he hotwalked, and the day before he did the horses laundry. His attention to detail is out of ths world, everything has a correct way, even the pins in your bandages have to be straight. It truely is a high quality operation - we have 8 horses here, and they are on average just under $1M each and he does turn them out.
HH - those are lead ponies. The 2003 KY Derby winner is a lead pony here at Saratoga. No I do not do that, when we get back to the main base it could become one of my roles for the morning work outs if them boss is out of town.
I went to Michael's place in Florida back in January to get some experience for my vet school application and I fell in love with racing. It is also quite practical with the cost of vet school here, and the salaries of assistants are very good. We have 2 horses running tomorrow so it shall be fun.
Although I am at the bottom, it is easy to see and, learn their way, and their routine. I do have additional responsibilities, and once this meet is over, my role (I hope) will likely be far organizational/management as well as taking the horses to the races.
Working for Michael is amazing - he too worked from the bottom up (lived in a tackroom at one point), became the US top showjumper, and now has become a leading trainer in racing. He is not above anything, yesterday he hotwalked, and the day before he did the horses laundry. His attention to detail is out of ths world, everything has a correct way, even the pins in your bandages have to be straight. It truely is a high quality operation - we have 8 horses here, and they are on average just under $1M each and he does turn them out.
HH - those are lead ponies. The 2003 KY Derby winner is a lead pony here at Saratoga. No I do not do that, when we get back to the main base it could become one of my roles for the morning work outs if them boss is out of town.
I went to Michael's place in Florida back in January to get some experience for my vet school application and I fell in love with racing. It is also quite practical with the cost of vet school here, and the salaries of assistants are very good. We have 2 horses running tomorrow so it shall be fun.