At 5:30 this morning, I was awakened by the wind howling down my block and around my building, fresh off the river. It was still dark out, but the streetlights showed that the snow had mostly stopped. I thought about my 8:30 appointment this morning, the one that I would certainly cancel, heeding the oft-repeated advice by city officials to “stay home if at all possible.”
And yes, it’s at all possible to stay home today: school’s on winter break, but even if it weren’t, I wouldn’t be going to work today, anyway. Even though I’m a grown-up (mostly), snow days still exist in my world.
So at 5:30, I shifted a sleeping cat or two, turned on NPR, and rolled over for another hour or so of sleep, absolutely cognizant of and grateful for having the privilege and good fortune to do so.
Not so for the many people on the backstretches of Belmont and Aqueduct, whose equine charges require food and care, no matter what day it is. Christmas morning? They’re out there. Thanksgiving? They’re out there. In a blizzard? They’re out there. And they’re out there this morning, breaking ice in water buckets, walking horses, feeding. It’s got to be brutal.
There is, I imagine, some beauty on those snowy backstretches this morning, and some horses eager to play in the snow. But I’m sitting in my cozy living room, drinking coffee, surrounded by sleeping cats and Christmas books to be read, so yes, I am only imagining what it’s like on those backstretches today.
I’ve never found gloves or boots that would keep my hands warm in weather like this, and I imagine – again – that much of the work that backstretch workers and trainers are doing this morning requires bare hands, anyway. So here’s to them, and to the work they do, work that few of us would be willing to take on, work that is often accompanied by little in the way of remuneration or reward. They deserve our appreciation, gratitude, and support, today and every day.
Organizations that support the New York backstretch workers:
The Belmont Child Care Association
Brooklyn Backstretch 
Thanks for this. Often taken for granted, I am sure. My dad was an OB/GYN and I remember him working in the worst weather. He used to say that the baby doesnt care that it is snowing. I guess horses don’t either.
NPR puts me to sleep too.
Having kept horses at home in upstate NY for several years, there’s no question it’s never fun in bitter cold and winter snows that are typical in this climate. Frozen water buckets were the worst, along with a “frost-free” hydrant in the barn that did not live up to its billing. I lugged 5 gallon buckets filled in the bathtub out to the barn twice a day for four months. Such a treat. (Eventually, we put a submersible heater in the stock tank in the paddock – that was a godsend!)
I did it because I loved the horses. It was part of the obligation in caring for them 24/7 at home. While I suspect there are many on the backstretches at Aqueduct and Belmont who also love the horses in their care, it’s still a very tough job in these kinds of harsh conditions. No amount of money would entice me to tackle those thankless tasks again. I salute those for whom it is a necessary part of their jobs and wish them a January thaw to warm their bones!
Back in the day, we did the basics. If the track was closed for training, we would shed-row a few and hand walk the others. I remember always feeling like it was always a “different” kind of day, almost fun, an adventure.But
I’m with Leslie, glad I don’t have to do it now!
Always a big and necessary responsibility, some handle it better than others. We loved going out there to the barn, even on the coldest of days to bring coffee and donuts, and lots of Bugs Bunny carrots and peppermints for our friends, both human and equine. We miss it.
Here, Here! and a shout out to the greatest police force and fire fighters in the world, the NYPD and NYFD, who were out in force throughout the blizzard responding to numerous 911 calls.
Great column. What it reminds me of, is with all the hard work the hot walkers and grooms do, for low pay… yet when they get hurt where’s the help?? If a jockey ( who was making $100K + a year) gets hurt, everybody is starting facebook pages, and organizing “golf outing charities” and what not to help the poor jock; yet when a groom or hot walker gets injured nobody cares, IF their employer has workers comp, they will get (eventually) a small percentage of their original pay, for a short time….but what about the interim, and what about their room at Belmont they get evicted from, because the NYRA dorm policy is strictly for people CURRENTLY employed, not for injured persons? Its a sad state of affairs.
Thanks, everyone, for the comments. I heard from another friend that days like yesterday were in fact easier than regular mornings (with racing/training) in the cold…but I still think that they all deserve medals for getting out there.
Larry: I know that both the Race Track Chaplaincy and BEST work with injured/sick backstretch workers. I’m sure that their help is limited by their funds, but both organizations do what they can to help workers who are unable to work.
Thoughtful post and cordial comments. This is so nice to see!
I’ll add one more positive note on the question of finding gloves and clothing to keep warm enough. I always found that midway through cleaning that first stall, the jacket had to come off, no matter how cold it was!
Horse racing would do itself a great favor by shedding more light on the backstretch and some of the unsung heroes who work there.
Good job on this post!