you have to buy all you own equipment, and I had various saddles I used, small for the lighter weights, medium then a heavier saddle for the heavier weights assigned ..track buys nothing, you will need a helmet, vest, googles, pants, boots, whip.. the silks are provided by the owners, trainers provide the bridle :) for equipment, I recommend www.jockeytack.com
Frankie

Hi Vic,

Thank you for finding our group here! Just to let you know, here in Equestrian Life, if you click on "Videos", then see "Racing" I made a whole series of videos that will answer all these questions you had asked. A good racing weight for a jockey is about 110 pounds. Height has nothing to do with it, it's all about the weight, but is why jockeys tend to be short is because they are lighter and can make the weights. Apprentice jockeys should weigh approximately 105 pounds. When you start out, your first year of riding you will be an apprentice, this means the assigned weights to the horses you ride will get a weight reduction (Apprentice allowance) This is an incentive for owners and trainers to ride an apprentice over an experienced rider. That is why a good weight for an apprentice should be about 105. As far as diet, nutrition and your health is so very important. Everyone is a little different but take your nutrition seriously! As far as working out, besides the Equicizer, riding lots of horses was enough for me. Some jockeys to work out, I had to be careful as I put on muscle easy which was more weight for me. So working out building muscles I did not need to build up for riding, was not a good thing for me. Try and see some of my videos and get lots more info! Enjoy and be safe!! Frankie

Thank you Frankie for your info! I really appreciate it! =)

Taletha, Welcome to the group! I would be happy to answer any questions you may have or offer any advice, just ask! ;)
Frankie

Hey Frankie, we've started working horses this week. some people i talk to are telling me that i should keep my legs straight and my back parrallel with the horse and others tell me i should have a bend in my legs so that my rear skims the saddle while working. I was wondering what your opinion on this is and any reasons behind the advice. It helps me learn when i understand what the teqnique does for the horse and/or me.
thanks, taletha

Hi Taletha,

That's one thing about the racetrack people that everyone may have a different opinnion. I always advise to listen to everyone but you do not have to do what everyone says, find what works best for you and watch other riders that you think are good and see how they do things. As far as your questions directly about position in the saddle, when working horses, you should have some bend in your knees. If you watch races or other jockeys, when you are rating your horse, your butt is further off the saddle, though your back still should be flat, your chest on your thighs, still some bend and flex in your knees, as you start riding forward asking your horse to go faster, your butt should naturally get closer to the saddle.

Watch this video I just made about basic jockey position and balance:


Hope this helps! Let me know! :)
Frankie
www.equicizer.com

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. i'll let you know how it goes the next time i work a horse.
taletha

Hi Raiya, Do you mean "how old do you leagally have to be to start racing?" Jockey? Horse? Most states, jockeys can get licensed at 16, other states it's 18 years old. Horses can start at 2. In thoroughbred racing, the two year races start to surface around April. As far as getting a QH filly started for racing.. maybe someone else can answer that better then me. I personally may seek out a QH trainer and training center or race track because it wouldd be important that she is trained in the atmosphere with the company of other horses set up for racing. Hope that helps some! Frankie

I've been looking forward to it since I saw the first commercial in December!

Hi Cassandra and welcome to the group! To answer your question, I had many favorite horses so that is a tough question :) There was one particular horse that I loved around the barn and on the track. His name was Johnny Dance. I won the West Virgina Derby on him along with some other big races back in 1980-81. He was so cool to ride but around the barn, he was a lazy pony. Put him in the starting gate, he was all race horse. There were so many other horses that I rode I loved.. I could go on and on lol Cheers!!
Frankie

Welcome to the group Heather! Hope we can give you your race track fix here. I was never someone that romanticised the racetrack life as it is hard work 7 days a week.. but it was my whole life for so many years. Now I am retired from racing, I spend 7 days a week in my Equicizer shop building horses for riders all over the world. I miss racing every now and then, I do not miss the business or the reducing weight I had to do. And when the weather is really crappy, cold, rainy, I am glad I am not out there anymore lol.. but on thje nice days, I miss it :) Cheers! Frankie www.equicizer.com

Yeah, being a jockey is no small feat. I had my fill of challenges with exercising and grooming. My trouble is I LIKE being out in the rain. But I do confess, I am not missing the hours outside busting ice out of water buckets in the winter....the 7 days working was ok....what else is there to do? Housecleaning? ICK!!!

Hi Angelique, your mare sounds awesome!!! I hope someday soon I can get a slow ex racer too so I can ride around nice and easy lol. hopefully :)

Thank You!!

Hi Sylvia!

Thank you for your posting! First, I am amazed that you set out and achieved your goals to be a jockey at age 40!!! That is amazing and so inspiring to so many I am sure! Awesome!! As far is how I delt with the ugly side of the game.. well I guess I did not cope with it very well.. I always said that one of the greatest attributes to being successful in horse racing is to be resilient and nto let things bother you. I was not great at it! lol But I got through it some how for many years. Still I think not letting things roll off my back so easy slowed me down in being more succesful. So there is no secret. It is a business that is tough, when you are down, you have friends and when you are up, people in the business are jelous and despise you.. Anyway, Bravo to you!!!! All the press, the book.. you earned it girl!! Rock on!!!
xox
Frankie

Thanks man...really needed to hear that..I'm about to pull some track attitude on these civilians/media agents! lol if they only knew...what we knew from..." as the shedrow turns" I am trying so hard to not b off tha chain like we can be at da track..I will never complain again bout horsepeople...at least we lay our cards on da table huh? I will try again to put what you said into practice. At least at the track you get peace with tha horses, in the midst of the aggravation t.Hey, thanks again and Happy Holidays to you and yours.