The life of a race horse, its trainer, its caretakers, and its owners is special. Those who are lucky enough to have experienced the 'backstretch' remember it fondly; some never leave it. Life for a horse in a California racing horse stable can be pretty good, as well as for the cast of dedicated people who orbit around it.
The barn area is the backstretch. Long barns hold individual stalls for horses, with room for hay and straw storage, feed, and tack (the saddles, bridles, grooming kits, and other gear). The barns have electricity, running water, and a covered aisle running around the inner stalls. This 'shedrow' is used for walking horses for exercise if they are not going to be galloped on the track or to cool them out after a workout.
A stall is big and square, with a front door that can be left open, with a webbing to keep the horse in, or closed by swinging the bottom half-door shut. The top half is only shut when the weather is bad, rare in California, or if the horse needs to be totally confined. A deep layer of straw, called bedding, makes a comfortable place to lie down and cushions the horse's feet and legs.
Each stall is equipped with a feed tub and a water bucket. Hay is generally fed on the ground in a corner, and the horse can be tied to the wall for grooming or tacking up. There may be windows in the walls, but usually the only opening is the front door, and horses like to stick their heads out to see what's happening. It makes a pretty picture when a long line of horses are eagerly looking for their feed.
Only people with a license from the racing authority are allowed on the backstretch. This includes trainers, owners, grooms, exercise riders, jockeys, agents, and authorized feed dealers. Veterinarians and farriers are also licensed. This semi-private, self-contained world becomes a tightly knit community.
Of course, the stars of the show are the horses, big, beautiful, brave, and athletic. They are immensely powerful but gentle overall. Fame, fortune, or mere continued employment depend on these beasts and their success. Hope makes this world turn, but it is new every morning and even 'cheap' horses are loved.
The races are exciting, but it's the early mornings on the backstretch, the regular routine of keeping the horses fit, well, and happy, and the comaraderie among racetrackers that means the most. Many longtime racetrackers don't even bet. It's a way of life that not many people know, deeply engrossing and compelling.
Horses need to be fed morning, noon, and night. They are exercised at least once a day, twice on race days. They are brushed, their feet are kept clean and shod, their teeth are attended to, and their legs are examined, rubbed, and wrapped with bandages. This is definitely not a part-time job. Few get rich in the sport of kings, but many are addicted to it. There is nothing like it.
The barn area is the backstretch. Long barns hold individual stalls for horses, with room for hay and straw storage, feed, and tack (the saddles, bridles, grooming kits, and other gear). The barns have electricity, running water, and a covered aisle running around the inner stalls. This 'shedrow' is used for walking horses for exercise if they are not going to be galloped on the track or to cool them out after a workout.
A stall is big and square, with a front door that can be left open, with a webbing to keep the horse in, or closed by swinging the bottom half-door shut. The top half is only shut when the weather is bad, rare in California, or if the horse needs to be totally confined. A deep layer of straw, called bedding, makes a comfortable place to lie down and cushions the horse's feet and legs.
Each stall is equipped with a feed tub and a water bucket. Hay is generally fed on the ground in a corner, and the horse can be tied to the wall for grooming or tacking up. There may be windows in the walls, but usually the only opening is the front door, and horses like to stick their heads out to see what's happening. It makes a pretty picture when a long line of horses are eagerly looking for their feed.
Only people with a license from the racing authority are allowed on the backstretch. This includes trainers, owners, grooms, exercise riders, jockeys, agents, and authorized feed dealers. Veterinarians and farriers are also licensed. This semi-private, self-contained world becomes a tightly knit community.
Of course, the stars of the show are the horses, big, beautiful, brave, and athletic. They are immensely powerful but gentle overall. Fame, fortune, or mere continued employment depend on these beasts and their success. Hope makes this world turn, but it is new every morning and even 'cheap' horses are loved.
The races are exciting, but it's the early mornings on the backstretch, the regular routine of keeping the horses fit, well, and happy, and the comaraderie among racetrackers that means the most. Many longtime racetrackers don't even bet. It's a way of life that not many people know, deeply engrossing and compelling.
Horses need to be fed morning, noon, and night. They are exercised at least once a day, twice on race days. They are brushed, their feet are kept clean and shod, their teeth are attended to, and their legs are examined, rubbed, and wrapped with bandages. This is definitely not a part-time job. Few get rich in the sport of kings, but many are addicted to it. There is nothing like it.
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You can find a detailed list of the factors that determine California racing horse stable rental cost at http://www.mogerracing.com right now.