Horse Racing Equipment Education and Training

Horse racing equipment education and training puts you in the winner's circle

By A Antonow

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:

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

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

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.

Horse Racing Equipment Education and Training