Under appreciated

[Tim Y]

Horses do not like enclosed spaces and they TELL you about it with their actions. The gate crew has to get INSIDE that already small space and control an anxious 1100 pound animal, keep it's head down, keep it from rearing or flipping, keeping it centered in that small stall, when all the while the rest of the restless animals are giving out the same signals to an animal who's hard wired herd instincts make them follow their brethren.

Sometimes it takes a fellow on the head and three behind the back gate pushing and "tailing" the horse to get it calmed down enough to be straight. All these guys have for protection is the same vest that the riders wear. They get kicked, bitten, bumped, squished etc. yet somehow are strong and quick enough to stay out of harm's way.

Our starter,Joe, has 6 steel screws and a metal plate in his leg as a result of 25 years on the gate. We have been lucky this year with only ONE serious injury when a frightened two year old kicked Tom right in the chest and sent him AIRBOURNE 12 feet back of the gate. With the initial diagnosis of lacerated pancreas, he was hospitalized a week and I am glad to report, is back at it every weekend now.

Fans do not really know who dangerous and necessary this job is. MORE folks should come down to the gate to see this race to race struggle for themselves.

[Bill V.]

I have really started to watch these gate workers lately
I think about what you have posted . I must confess
I thought these guys had a pretty easy job, They probably just
new some one who new some one else "Hey can you get my brother in law
a job" type deal

Very nice of you to share

Bill

[Tim Y]

Originally Posted by Bill V.

I have really started to watch these gate workers lately
I think about what you have posted . I must confess
I thought these guys had a pretty easy job,

I tell people it is a lot like an anesthesiologist: 85% of the time almost boredom and 15% of the time being scared to death.

[Charlie D]

Under appreciated

They probably are Tim, looks a tough and dangerous job sometimes

[Bill V.]

Originally Posted by Tim Y

I tell people it is a lot like an anesthesiologist: 85% of the time almost boredom and 15% of the time being scared to death.

Are you working as one? at what track ?

[Tim Y]

Originally Posted by Bill V.

Are you working as one? at what track ?

I man the gate television camera so wherever the gate moves I move with it (and it can be real harry in the rain standing on one end of it with a full field of moving horses and nothing to prop yourself on) x.....At our harness track, I get to stay indoors and take the official photo of each race for the stewards. Saturdays are crazy since the two tracks run head to head and as soon as the T-breds are done, I have to hustle to the other track in time for the pre-race qualifiers and am there until about midnight: MAKES FOR A LONG SATURDAY and then it is back to Hasting's the next afternoon.