Barnaul woman shares stable hand experience and challenges
In the modern world, where many professions seem distant from nature, work involving horse care appears particularly unusual. Such labor is always associated with certain risks: from accidentally being stepped on to fatal diseases in animals. At one of the stables in Barnaul, 53-year-old resident Alena Ushakova worked as a stable hand for a long time. She told NGS22.RU how life brought her together with these animals, what duties were part of her job, and what the peculiarities of this profession are.
«Not a Woman»s Job«
Many are accustomed to thinking that the main figures in equestrian sports are trainers and veterinarians, as they are responsible for preparing and maintaining the animals« health. However, without the daily and meticulous work of a stable hand, no club can function properly.
Alena admits that her path to horses began by chance.
«My older sister dreamed of horses since childhood, and my mother even subscribed to specialized magazines for her. When my sister decided to study to become a trainer in Ufa, I decided to go with her, as I couldn»t get into university in another city. It was there that I first seriously got to know horses and fell in love with them. Before that, I had no experience interacting with these animals,« said Alena.
After finishing school, she returned to Barnaul and got a job at a racetrack as a rider«s assistant.
«I worked there for about two years, and that time became a real immersion into the world of horses for me. I especially remember training a trotter named Mistika — a black mare who always confidently led the races, from the very start to the finish. Family circumstances and a move to the village temporarily pulled me away from my beloved work, but after years, I decided to return to working with horses again,» recalls Alena.
When she saw an advertisement for a stable hand vacancy at one of Barnaul«s equestrian sports clubs, she immediately responded and sent her resume.
«The complex started with two stallions, and over time the number of horses increased. Over six years of work, I gained huge experience, but I admit that the profession of a stable hand is hard work; after all, it»s not a woman«s job,» noted Alena.
«The Salary is Small, Although the Requirements are High»
Alena talked about what duties fall on a stable hand.
«The tasks include feeding the horses, cleaning the stalls, and moving the animals between pens for walks and the stable. Moreover, the stable hand monitors the condition of the horses, which requires constant attention and responsibility,» emphasizes the stable employee.
The stable hand is constantly near the animals and must be ready to respond promptly to any unforeseen situations, especially at night.
«During the day, the stable hand checks each stall, sometimes completely changes the bedding, and sometimes just removes fresh manure. Feeding occurs three times a day, with portions divided into parts. Diets for each horse are individual and usually indicated on plaques in the stalls. Equestrian clubs often look for stable hands, while the salary is usually small, although the requirements for work quality are very high, as the health of the horses depends on it. There are about 17 horses on average in the stable that need care. Per month, it works out to about 7-8 shifts, usually stable hands work one day on, three days off. Per shift, it comes out to about 5,000 rubles (approximately $56 at current rates),» noted Alena.
Often people unfamiliar with equestrian affairs confuse the professions of stable hand and horse handler, although their functions differ, even if they sometimes overlap.
«A horse handler performs many of the same duties as a stable hand, but has closer contact with the horses. For example, the stable hand takes the animals out for walks, while the horse handler prepares them for training: saddles, unsaddles, walks them after sessions, and grooms them,» clarified Alena.
«Horses Are Like People»
The heroine emphasizes that each horse, like a person, has its own unique character. Among them, there are calm and balanced ones, and there are those who are distinguished by playfulness and temperament. Over six years of work, Alena learned to find an approach to each animal, taking into account its individual characteristics.
«Horses, like people — each has its own individual character. There was a mare named Georgina, who remained aloof for a long time. She didn»t respond to affection, was always on guard. But over time, I found the key to her — certain touches that helped her relax. I scratched her above the eyes and along the spine. It«s important to understand that each horse needs its own approach, and to be ready for any surprises. Even if it seems that the horse completely trusts you, one must not lose vigilance. Once, a mare stepped on my foot, injuring my toes. This once again reminds of the need for extreme caution,» shares Alena.
Moreover, an experienced stable hand must recognize when something is wrong with a horse, especially if it concerns diseases.
«Colic is the most common ailment in horses; this pathology in the gastrointestinal tract can be fatal for the animal. Often the cause of such illness is improper nutrition — sudden changes in diet, overfeeding with grain feeds, or the use of low-quality feed. In such cases, it is necessary to get the horse up if it was lying down, walk with it, and sometimes give injections. But first of all, one should always inform the management, after which a veterinarian usually arrives,» tells Alena.
She is sure that horses have truly healing properties, and communicating with them is comparable to psychotherapy.
«Love for animals, be it a horse or any other creature, brings comfort. I believe in the healing properties of horses and get great pleasure from working with them, admiring their grace. When I led a horse, I felt special, as if the whole world was watching me. In that moment, one feels pride for one»s rare profession. You walk, so important, with an animal weighing 600 kg (about 1,323 lb) — it«s an incomparable feeling,» shares Alena.
