If you want to enter the horse racing industry, one of the first things you will need to learn about is race horse gear and supplies. Not only will you need to learn how to equip your horse before you begin to ride, but you also will need to understand how to order from suppliers of race horsing gear and how to saddle your horse. Most horse racing equipment education and training is part of a larger horse race training. As you learn to ride, care for a horse or train a horse you will naturally learn about horse racing safety equipment and other types of gear for your horse.

In most cases, there is no certification required to get a job working with equipment for race horses. There are also relatively few courses and programs that focus solely on equipment. Rather, most education experiences focus on using equipment while riding or training. When learning about equipment for race horses, consider the following:

1. Seek out formal education programs that teach you about race horse gear and horses.
2. Look for an internship that offers practical training.
3. Pursue seminars and workshops that teach you about the latest equipment.
   

Action Steps
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Attend education programs in the horse racing industry to learn about race horse gear

Few educational programs focus on horse racing supplies exclusively, but all education programs designed for the racing industry focus on learning how to use equipment well in racing, training and horse management. Therefore, you will learn a great deal about horse race equipment and supplies through these programs and you will be able to show your proficiency with a diploma.

I recommend: The Elite Program has a groom program that offers hands-on and written classroom work related to equipment for race horsing. The program offers certification and non-certification levels. The Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) at The University of Arizona offers programs for those who want to pursue a career in the management or racing areas of the horse racing industry. Both programs offer courses about subjects such as race horse feed and horse racing supplies.

Pursue an internship that teaches you about tack and horse racing equipment

Learning about equine equipment depends a great deal on hands-on training -- the more you use supplies, the more familiar you become with brands, suppliers of race horsing equipment and ways of using equipment. Internships are a good way to learn about equipment while interacting with professionals in the industry.

I recommend: The Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI) program is a full-time internship that offers students a chance to learn about horse racing rider gear and other aspects of equine care and management. The Days End Farm Horse Rescue’s Internship Program is another internship opportunity for students interested in working with animals that have been seized by Animal Control agencies. Participants network with those in the equine industry and learn about tack and horse care as well as equine supplies.

Look for seminars designed to teach you about tack and horse racing equipment

Seminars are relatively short and inexpensive ways to learn about horse racing supplies and equipment. Taught by professional trainers or jockeys, they are also useful networking opportunities.

I recommend: Backyard Racehorse seminars cover horse racing equipment information, training, equine facility layout and more. The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) offers courses, workshops and seminars on horse racing gear and other topics throughout the year.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider simply jumping in and applying for entry-level groom jobs or assistant jobs at a race track to learn more about horse racing supply and equipment. Many trainers and professionals get their start in the field simply by showing an interest in horses and taking on work in the industry to learn while on the job.

Choose high quality horse racing supplies. Suppliers of race horsing equipment can provide you with a wide variety of items, from basic training aids to horse racing safety equipment. Note, though, that the quality of the horse racing equipment you purchase will have a profound impact on the results you'll see.

Cultivate business relationships with suppliers of race horsing gear that are well regarded in the horse racing industry. By forming a long-term relationship with reputable suppliers of race horsing equipment, you can create a partnership that will help both of you succeed.

1. Locate a company that has specifically designed race horse feed.

2. Deal with a horse racing equipment company who has a wide array of tack available.

3. Search for race horse gear designed for safety and longevity.

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Find horse racing supplies that include race horse feed products

Race horses have specific dietary needs that must be met in order for them to stay healthy and reach their maximum potential. Select a company that has a feed program designed to meet the needs of your athlete.

I recommend: Nutrena not only offers race horse feed, but they'll also help you determine how much you should be feeding your race horses. TDI Horse Feeds offers a variety of race horse feed as well as feed designed for the other horses in your stable.

Select a variety of tack as a part of your equipment for race horsing

Talk to the people who provide you with your horse racing supplies to see what tack they offer. Make sure the tack is specifically for race horses and discuss the variety of tack they have available. The more stock they have, the more likely you are to find the tack you need.

I recommend: Forest Hill Farms has specially designed race horse gear including tack. Wilson's Tack and Veterinary Supplies has a large catalog of tack supplies available for your race horse.

Make horse racing safety equipment a priority

Evaluate safety equipment for race horses and for the jockeys who ride them. Discuss your options with various suppliers regarding safety standards and the horse racing gear designed to meet those standards.

I recommend: Old Mill Saddlery can meet all of your safety equipment for race horsing with an eye toward variety. Bonnetts Saddlery has a large selection of horse racing safety equipment including toe stops, helmets and safety vests to keep your jockeys safe and in the saddle.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you purchase a race horse, talk to the sellers regarding any horse racing equipment for sale. They may have equipment designed for that specific horse that they're willing to include with the purchase.

Horse racing equipment is a necessity whether you own and train a racehorse or own and manage a horse racing track. Either way, knowledge of key industry terms is vital to communicate with vendors and customers, and keep your venture up and running successfully. From knowing about blinkers to bridles and racing plates, expertise in horse racing terminology will ensure you order the equipment necessary for the proper training, maintenance and operation of your horse racing business.

Action Steps
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Blinkers

Also called blinders or winkers, blinkers impede the racehorse's vision to the rear or side. Horse trainers use the tool to keep the horse's attention focused on the race in front of him rather than the other horses, riders or racetrack crowds.

I recommend: Tack Unlimited discusses the features, materials, cup styles and care instructions for racing blinkers.

Bridle

Necessary to control the horse during racing or training, a bridle wraps around the horse's head to hold the bit - a metal or synthetic mouthpiece - in place. The bridle, reins and bit work together and allow the jockey or rider to guide the horse.

I recommend: US Horse provides an introduction to horse bridles, including typical materials, sizes and important bridle terms like the headpiece, throatlatch, browband and noseband.

Saddle pads

Saddle pads, also called saddle blankets, absorb moisture under the saddle and cushion the racehorse's back beneath the saddle. Cushioned saddle pads can also reduce jarring to the horse's back muscles, thereby lessening fatigue.

I recommend: Get additional information on saddle pads, including materials and cleaning instructions, at The Finish Line of Oklahoma.

Girth

A girth is vital to horse racing since it's the strap attached to the saddle that holds it securely on the horse's back. While some versions are made of leather, others are fleece-lined to prevent chafing.

I recommend: View different styles and sizes of horse girths and discover the benefits of certain material and buckle styles through Horse Hats.

Racing plates

Racing plates are the horseshoes worn during races. Although they were originally made of steel, racing plates are currently aluminum and require a blacksmith to custom fit them for each horse.

I recommend: Horseshoes.com discusses racing plates and related equipment like leg savers and forged toe clips that hold the shoe in place.

Silks

Also called racing colors, silks are the brightly colored jacket and coordinating hat worn by jockeys during a race. Racehorse owners typically create silks with a specific color or pattern to identify the horse they own.

I recommend: Get photos and descriptions of a variety of silk styles from Custom Silks. Product descriptions also discuss the benefits of certain materials used to create silks.