06-09-2009, 10:17 AM
You're absolutely right!
When you're a groom, the horses come first. You don't get to travel far from the barn for holidays and vactions are only going to happen if you can find someone to fill in for you.
If there's a problem in the middle of the night, you are the first one there before the vet. Foaling time? You're sleeping in the stall next to the mare or at least in the barn's office watching the cctv for the foal to come in case there's a problem.
I think the entry for the Belmont is $22K and the purse is split between the trainer and the jockey. I am not 100% sure though. But you're right, no one realizes how important the groom is. There'd be no saddle on the horse if it weren't for the groom (among many other little details you wouldn't think of!).
When you're a groom, the horses come first. You don't get to travel far from the barn for holidays and vactions are only going to happen if you can find someone to fill in for you.
If there's a problem in the middle of the night, you are the first one there before the vet. Foaling time? You're sleeping in the stall next to the mare or at least in the barn's office watching the cctv for the foal to come in case there's a problem.
I think the entry for the Belmont is $22K and the purse is split between the trainer and the jockey. I am not 100% sure though. But you're right, no one realizes how important the groom is. There'd be no saddle on the horse if it weren't for the groom (among many other little details you wouldn't think of!).