How to Hot Walk Horses

The racetrack is a busy place during training and racing hours. Trainers rely upon their grooms to take care of the horses in their charge. Grooms are assisted by a hot walker. When a horse comes back from the track, he needs to be cooled out by walking, bathing and watering him off. The amount of time needed for each horse varies dependent upon whether it was a gallop, work or a race.

Things You'll Need

• Chain shank
• <br>Hard soled shoes

Instructions

How to hot walk a horse at the race track

1. 

   Your job as a hot walker is to assist the groom. When a horse returns from the track, you must be ready to get him moving as soon as the tack is removed. Stand facing the left side of the horse's head. Take the end of the chain shank and thread it through the ring on the left side of the halter, take it over the nose, through the ring on the right side of the halter, run it under the jaw and attach the snap at the ring on the top of the halter on the left with the snap facing outward so it doesn't dig into the horses cheek.

2. 

   Stand on the horse's left side. Hold the shank near the horse's head with your right hand. Hold the excess in your left hand.

3. Walk with the horse while keeping his shoulder even with your shoulder. The horse should not be allowed to get out in front of you or to lag behind you while he is walking. A short tug on the shanks is usually enough of a reminder to get him back in place next to your shoulder.

4. If the horse is hot and the weather is warm enough, you will have to hold the horse still while the groom bathes the horse. Stand near the horse's head facing him. If he moves, give the shank a short tug to remind him to stand still. Never stand directly in front of a horse as he could run you over if something spooks him. Stand off to the left side slightly.

5. Walk the horse around the shedrow until she is completely cooled off. Offer sips of water from a bucket attached to wall every lap until the horse is no longer thirsty. Check the horse's body temperature by placing your hand on the front of her chest, beneath her neck. If it feels hot to the touch, she is not done walking yet. Watch her nostrils as well. A completely cooled out horse will not flare his nostrils when she breathes. If her breathing is still rapid, or her nostrils are flaring, she is not cooled out yet.

6. Once the horse is completely cool to the touch and his breathing has returned to normal, take him back to the bathing area and use the hose to wash his legs off from the knees down in front, and the hocks down in back to remove any dirt that may have gotten on his legs while he was walking around the shedrow. Then take him back to his stall and remove the chain shank and turn him loose. Make sure he is facing the doorway when you release him so you will not be injured if he kicks.