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Musings
of a Senior Scribe
High
Dollar Hobby provides Jobs
By Mona Lease
Hi,
all! Today we're
looking at the media hype
concerning Ann Romney and the "horse problem and pain killer"
solution.
Here
are a few facts: Around here,
some everyday costs are: Lime is $9.00 a 50# bag, $95.00 - $125.00 a
trip for
the vet to come to you and administer
regular vaccinations for one horse, for a 1/2
year, $100.00 - $150 for
the farrier; (the guy who cleans hooves, trims them; they're like
fingernails)
for a set of shoes (4 shoes), $150
a
month for feed (1 horse can eat around 255# a month),Alfalfa hay
(touted the
best) is now $5.00 a bale (normal feeding is 1 bale a day per horse. A
draft
horse would get 2), Straw is $2.00 a bale (this is a preference thing -
some
fork out the manure everyday and throw maybe a 1/2 a bale of straw.
Horses have
their favorite spot in the stall to use as a "dumping station." .
Most agree a stall should be at least 8' by 10" - room enough to turn
around
and kick a little.), Wormers are $10.00 a tube (how often depends on
where the
horse goes, who comes to the horse,pasture conditions, weather, etc.),
Get
into breeding and the obvious
choice is Artificial Insemination for show horses and racers. This is
$1000.00
- $1,200.00 for a week stay at the Vet's. This includes x-rays,
medicines to
relax muscles, ultra sounds to determine follicles (that turn into
eggs), etc.
Again, it's obvious that if the mare does not get pregnant or she
aborts - you
lose the money. There are no refunds.
And
there is the Groom. He brushes,
washes, cleans hooves, feeds and waters, exercises, cleans stalls,
cleans tack
(reins, bridles saddle, etc.), they even see to details like Vaseline
in an
ungelded (he can father colts) horse's nose so he can't smell the mares
at a
show or race. He needs to keep his mind on his work. The Groom's pay is
equal
to his experience or expertise. If he can spot trouble before it
becomes a huge
issue - (a horse that throws his leg the wrong way in a trot or when
standing
still he keeps shifting his weight) - he saves the owner money spent on
a horse
than can't compete. He could still produce a good colt. Bloodlines are
just
about everything in this business. A good groom could get $25,000 -
$30,000
depending on whether they travel with the horse to shows, etc. At that
point,
his job would be to warm up the horse, keep everyone calm, etc.
A
good Trainer can make $25,000 -
$27,000. That is to get the horse ready to go to the ring or race. They
usually
are around a year old at this time. They are not training 24 hrs a day.
They do
train every day. The Trainer works one- on- one with the horse. No
others do.
He works on posture, appearance, response to a crowd - no snorting,
jumpiness,
biting, etc. He runs them around the track for exercise, speed,
practice, etc.
Some
horse people believe that
shavings are best - no dust for the horse to breathe. This means less
chance of
respiratory infections and pneumonia. Some "lime" the bottom of a
bare stall floor before the bedding. This said to keep down the fly
population
and the bacteria that love the urine and feces for their breeding
ground. This
would be a summer thing.
If
you play the ponies at the
Romney level; feel safe in doubling or trebling the salaries. They are
paid employees
to "the stars." Their total allegiance is implied certainly; and
probably in their written contract.
Reportedly,
Ann Romney sold Super
Fit for $125,000 in 2008. Media is dredging up the past in this
election year.
I can find no age on this horse. You can get a ballpark figure of what
it cost
to keep him fed and "clothed" using the above figures.
I
am not saying Romney is right or
wrong… or Obama, for that matter. I am saying this is a "high dollar"
hobby. This is not losing a few dollars on a track bet or on the
lottery.
"Deals" can always be arranged for the above
prices..advertising,referrals, etc.
Whatever
else happens, there are
jobs provided here; groomer, trainer, vet, mechanic (keeps the trailer
performing well to haul the horse - some are air-conditioned) if you
want to do
the work. And work it is. Around here this means a guy I know thought
nothing
of school...not interested in homework or the family business. Years
later he
is racing his own horses (in 3 states, I understand).
And
that goes to show - You can't
"judge a book by it's cover"
or tell how we will turn out
later in life by a few school years.
Remember
the kiddies and our
service people. Be good to the furry and feathered ones out there. Be
safe and
healthy.
Ever
Toodles!! MONA
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