Cross Breeds

i would like any helpful information on becoming a exercise rider for race horses?

i would like to know what i can do to become a exercise rider for race horses?? i love horses with a passion and have grown up with them my whole life, i want this so bad, im just having a hard time getting started, is there any training schools etc. or what can i do? any help appreciated Thank you!!

Public Comments

1. The best way to start is to find a small training center and a trainer with another rider on staff who is willing to teach you. Work there until you're ready to move forward, then proceed to a bigger training center or farm. When you ride at the racetrack for the first time, make sure everybody knows you're new and green. If you ask for help and advice, the veterans will watch you and help you. Accidents happen when new riders start galloping at the racetrack without sufficient experience, or without telling trainers and other riders that they're new, so if you are an aspiring exercise rider or jockey, please don't make that mistake. Riding many different kinds of horses in various environments is how they learn balance and relaxation atop a leaping, lunging, spinning, bucking, rearing, or out of control horse - an essential skill for exercising racehorses. Some grow up in a racing family and learn to ride racehorses . Racetrack exercise rider must be able to deal with, and if possible correct habits or problems of the horse, such as leaning on the bit heavily while galloping, head tossing, difficulty switching leads or refusal to switch leads, "lugging" in or out, the tendency to race every horse that passes while training, or in general teach the horse to relax, use himself correctly, and rate his energy. Exercise riders have to take the time to teach a horse to go through a hole on the rail with a horse to their outside, or just to go through a space between two horses in general. Riders have to teach the horse to accept dirt in the face, how and when to switch leads, and how to carry themselves at a gallop and jog so that the correct muscles are strengthened. The rider has to teach a horse to walk calmly in the gate, to stand calmly in the gate, and to break from the gate alertly when asked. The rider has to be able to gauge a horse's fitness and relay this information to the trainer, as well as relaying information about other issues such as soreness or lameness. Exercise riders also have to understand the trainer's instructions about how far to jog and gallop a horse, and how fast and far to work a horse. Perhaps the most important thing a rider has to do is deal calmly with the chaos of the racetrack, and with the lack of control in this chaos. A rider must adapt to the physical and mental needs of both green and older horses, and always impart to the horse a quiet confidence that the horse will need to improve mentally and physically and win races. An exercise rider is an extremely important job. There are many things involved, as I'm sure you know, some things I've listed you may already know so bare with me. Below is a list of musts..I would suggest you seek area race tracks/stables and let your interest and skills be known. ~ First know the "How's & Where's" about getting started and obtaining a license • Develop skills and techniques in both race and exercise riding • Starting gate techniques, tricks & safety • Learning pace, position and race strategies, balance, strength, and agility • Morning workouts and race track rules, regulations, etiquette • Negotiating track relationships with trainers, owners, agents, valets, etc. • Weight management and nutrition Much Luck to YOU ! :)