Blacksmith

Job Overview

Responsible for conducting mandatory physical inspections of all horseshoes and orthotics on every entered horse before paddock departure on race day as per Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) rules and regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Race-Day Inspections: Conduct mandatory physical inspections of all horseshoes and orthotics on every entered horse before paddock departure on race day.
• Compliance Enforcement: Check all shoes against HISA traction and height limitations depending on the track surface (dirt, turf, or synthetic).
• Steward Notification: Immediately notify the racing stewards of any non-compliant horseshoes.
• Committee Involvement: Serve as part of the Racetrack Risk Management Committee.

Qualifications

• High school diploma preferred.
• 6 years of direct experience in horse racing industry as a Blacksmith.
• Knowledge Requirement: Must be knowledgeable of matters pertaining to hooves, horseshoes, and the rules and regulations of HISA.
• Continuing Education: Required to complete 2 hours of annual continuing education (requirement for farriers under HISA rules).

Physical Demands

• Frequent Bending, Kneeling, and Crouching: Checking horseshoes requires the inspector to continuously bend down, squat, or kneel close to the ground to closely examine and measure the front and hind hooves.
• Handling and Proximity to Large Animals: Inspectors work in immediate proximity to high-strung, energetic Thoroughbred racehorses. They must be physically agile and alert to quickly move out of the way if a horse spooks, kicks, or rears.
• Prolonged Standing and Walking: The position requires standing on concrete or dirt surfaces for the duration of a race card and walking extensively between the stables, paddock stalls, and warm-up areas.
• Fine Motor Skills & Precision: Using tools (such as calipers or measuring gauges) to verify that a toe grab does not exceed the legal 2mm to 4mm limits requires steady hands and sharp vision.
• Physical Stamina: The role demands the physical stamina to inspect multiple classes of horses continuously throughout long race days, which can extend into afternoon or late-evening shifts.
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Work Environment

• Outdoor and Covered Paddock Areas: Inspections primarily take place in racetrack paddocks, receiving barns, and saddling areas. While some areas are covered, the role is highly exposed to ambient weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, wind, and varying humidity.
• Loud and High-Stimulus Environments: Racetracks on race days are loud, bustling environments filled with crowds, shifting machinery (like starting gates), and shouting. Inspectors must maintain extreme focus amidst these distractions.
• Exposure to Dust, Dirt, and Allergens: The workspace includes active dirt, turf, or synthetic tracks, exposing inspectors to kicks of dust, airborne mud, hay, and animal dander.
• High-Pressure Regulatory Stakes: If a shoe is non-compliant, the inspector must immediately notify the stewards and paddock judge. This can delay a race or result in a horse being scratched, meaning the inspector must be able to handle stressful or confrontational interactions with trainers, grooms, and owners.
• Dynamic Non-Standard Hours: Racetracks operate heavily on weekends, evenings, and holidays, meaning the work environment frequently requires a non-traditional, per-diem, or seasonal racing schedule. 

Key Safety Performance Expectations

• Compliance with Safety Regulations: Employees are expected to comply with all relevant safety regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Participation in Safety Training: Employees should actively participate in required and optional safety training programs.

• Identification and Reporting of Hazards: Employees should be able to identify potential hazards in their work environment and report them to their supervisors.

• Safe Work Practices: Employees should consistently utilize safe work practices and procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment.

• Reporting of Incidents and Injuries: Employees should immediately report any injuries or incidents that occur during their work, following established procedures.

• Promoting a Positive Safety Culture: Employees should contribute to a positive safety culture by actively promoting safe behaviors and raising concerns about potential safety issues.

• Continuous Improvement: Employees should be open to learning and improving their safety knowledge and skills through ongoing training and development. 

Licenses, Certifications, Registration: Requires a Professional PMW Occupational License from the Florida Gaming Control Commission.