In the barns beyond the backstretch, a group of individuals muck stalls, brush manes and tails, and take thoroughbred horses out for early-morning strolls.
It’s far from glamorous, but it’s all in a day’s work to get a horse ready to race under the bright lights.
Each spring, the Manitoba Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association offers a four-week training program for those interested in becoming a race-horse groom. The hands-on course includes one week of classroom instruction and three weeks of training in the barns at the Assiniboia Downs.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Natalie takes Ziggy out to wash their feet. Natalie Gregory just graduated from the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) Groom Training Program at Assiniboia Downs and landed a job with trainer Tiffany Husbands right away. 
This is the third year of the program, which usually has between 15-20 participants. No previous equine experience is required, just a love and desire to work with animals.
Free Press photographer Mike Deal recently visited the Downs to see how future race-horse grooms learn the trade.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Natalie brushes Ziggy down after washing their feet. 
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Faith Slywchuk brushes out straw from a horses tail. 
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Natalie walks Noah to a freshly cleaned stall. 
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Noah nuzzles Natalie while she fills his bucket with fresh water. 
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Faith puts fresh wood shavings in a stall. Faith Slywchuk is a student in the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) Groom Training Program at Assiniboia Downs. 
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Faith (right) and training instructor, Monique Goulet (left) work together to fill up a net holding feeding hay. 
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Noah nuzzles Natalie while she fills his bucket with fresh water. 
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Faith Slywchuk saddles up a horse so a jockey can take it out for a run. 
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Faith cleans a freshwater bucket before filling it for a horse. 
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Groom, Natalie Gregory, puts a blanket onto Lady Roxanna. 
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Natalie Gregory mucks out a stall. 
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Natalie Gregory removes the halter from Lady Roxanna after taking her for a walk. 
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Olga watches as Natalie mucks out a stall nearby. 
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Natalie Gregory prepares to muck out a stall. 
