Corro and HorseGrooms know that behind every great horse is a wonderful caregiver. That’s why each month, Corro and HorseGrooms select one member of HorseGrooms Insiders to celebrate their dedication to horses and their care. Whether you are a professional groom taking care of six or seven-figure horses or taking care of your own horses at home, at HorseGrooms, we believe that if you care for horses or like to learn about them, you belong here. HorseGrooms Insiders is for everyone who looks after horses, whether you are employed as a groom, manage your own herd, or help a friend on weekends.
HorseGrooms Insiders is an exclusive membership for everyone looking to learn, grow and connect with industry experts. Every Corro HorseGroom of the Month receives a $100 Corro gift card and is featured in a special interview. Go to horsegrooms.com/insiders to learn more.
Behind the Barn Doors: A Groom’s Life From Western Lessons to Ambulatory Sport Horse Medicine. An Interview with Laura Elser
How did your journey with horses begin?
Horses have been a part of my life for the entirety of it, I definitely fit the “horse girl” stereotype as a kid. Growing up, there was a pasture across the street from my parents house with two beautiful Belgian draft horses and I was obsessed with them. I remember standing at the fence and grabbing handfuls of grass to feed them. That’s where my fascination with horses really originated from.
I had my first riding lesson at eight years old and rode Western. My instructor in New Hampshire was incredible and I trained with her for about ten years before heading off to attend the University of Findlay.
I double majored in Horse Training and Business Management to give myself a good foundation for a career in horses. I learned so much about horsemanship and understanding the equine industry as a whole. It’s also where I really honed in on my interest in the medical side of horses. I debated going the pre-veterinary route but ultimately chose Horse Training instead. That interest never died and is what led me to explore the veterinary field later on.
What was your first experience like working in the equine industry?
During the summers between my college years, I interned with professional reiners in Kentucky and Arizona. Those positions were my first experiences as a groom, and were both incredibly fast-paced and very rewarding.
My days started early in the morning, making sure the first horse of the day was tacked up before the trainer arrived. I would cool the horses off after rides, bathe them, and make sure they were set for the rest of the day. While the days were repetitive, they were extremely educational and very rewarding.
Right after I graduated college, I moved to California and worked as an assistant horse trainer and barn manager for Benny Guitron, a well-established Quarter Horse trainer. This was where I shaped my grooming foundation and gained hands-on experience with upper-level performance horses.
What role do you currently work in?
Currently, I’m a technician for an ambulatory sport horse veterinary practice based in Wellington, Florida. We primarily see hunters and jumpers as well as dressage horses, and drive directly to their barns for treatments rather than working out of a traditional clinic.
Lameness exams, routine vaccinations, vet-checks – we do just about anything you can think of when it comes to veterinary care. A big part of my job is assisting with lameness exams, taking X-rays, and performing rehabilitative therapies such as shockwave and laser therapy.
Even though we operate out of a truck, we utilize a lot of advanced equipment, such as ultrasound and X-ray machines. We also collect and carefully prepare samples for bloodwork and Coggins tests, ensuring they’re properly labeled, stored, and shipped out to labs for accurate and timely results.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
On most mornings, I start my day at the office to check my assignments and appointments for the day. The team and I also use that time to ensure the trucks are fully stocked with all of the equipment they need for the day. I usually work alongside a particular veterinarian for the day, and we like to make sure we’re prepared before heading out.
After that, every day looks a little bit different. As I said previously, we perform a wide variety of different exams, so my day depends on what appointments have been scheduled. We see anywhere from five to twelve horses during a day – it all depends on the schedule and where we’re at in the show season.
Every visit to each barn brings something different, and I love getting to visit all the different locations and treat all different types of horses.
What advice would you give your younger self about entering the horse world?
Staying humble is key. There’s always more to learn, and assuming you know everything you need to know will never end well. The more time I’ve spent working in the equine industry, the more I’ve realized just how much more there is to learn.
Within the field of science in general, there’s a lot that we just don’t know, and an endless amount of things we haven’t even considered knowing just yet. Stay curious, ask a lot of questions, and always be open to learning from other people.
How has the HorseGrooms community impacted your journey?
I first connected with HorseGrooms through Dinette while working on a dude ranch in Wyoming. We met there and later reconnected in Wellington. When she told me about the idea, I remember thinking how much I wished something like HorseGrooms had existed when I graduated college.
Leaving school and stepping into the horse industry can feel isolating, especially when you go from a structured community into a world where you often don’t know many people. HorseGrooms provides a space where knowledge is shared openly, which is incredibly valuable.
I’m the author of the HorseGrooms column, Don’t Piss Off Your Vet, where I share experiences from my work as a technician, with a bit of humor and honesty. I also participate in HorseGrooms MeetUps, where we discuss topics ranging from emergency care to temperature, pulse, and respiration.
These events have been incredibly rewarding. It’s empowering to see people come together, ask questions, and learn from one another in a supportive environment.
What is one of your favorite Corro products?
I regularly rely on the Micro-Tek shampoo from EQyss. I’m based in Florida, and the environment here is prone to causing skin issues for the horses. I often see girth irritations and scratches occurring, and that shampoo is great at keeping the horses comfortable.
It addresses the skin concerns quickly and is often what I first turn to before any further medical treatments are needed. It may just be a shampoo, but it’s definitely an important staple of mine.
What do you do to stay motivated in such a demanding job?
Something that’s really helped me is making notes of the small wins every day. My partner and I have made it a habit to ask each other what the best part of our days is, and it’s really helped me to shift my perspective.
Even if it’s as simple as a skittish barn dog letting me pet them, or a usually difficult horse having a great attitude that day, there’s always a positive from the day if you look for one. Making note of them every day reminds me why I do what I do, and why I love it so much.
Hey, Pssst…. Would You Like To Be Featured Too And Receive a $100 Corro Gift Card? Become a HorseGrooms Insider!
Would you also like to be featured on this website and receive a $100 Corro gift card? Become a HorseGrooms Insider! As an Insider, you could be selected as our next Corro HorseGroom of the Month, share your story with the community, and be recognized for your work behind the scenes.
Beyond that, Insiders get access to exclusive educational resources, monthly live Q&As with top grooms and industry experts, replays of all sessions, and direct access to HorseGrooms Mentors. You’ll also be part of a supportive community through the Insiders Chat, with additional perks like huge discounts and free resources designed to help you learn, grow, and feel more connected in your work with horses.
Learn more about HorseGrooms Insiders here: https://horsegrooms.com/horsegrooms-insiders-where-grooms-go-to-grow/ and here: https://horsegrooms.com/insiders.
Discount Code for Your Insiders Membership
You can try Insiders with a 7-day free trial to see if it’s the right fit for you and we have a 10% discount code (CORRO10) for you to make it even more interesting.
Straight to the signup page for Insiders: https://community.horsegrooms.com/checkout/insider. Don’t forget to use the code CORRO10 for 10% off!
Corro is an e-commerce platform dedicated to making it easier for equestrians, especially grooms, to get the supplies they need. Founded by horse owners, Corro offers a curated selection of top-quality horse care products, tack and barn essentials, including grooming tools, shampoos and everyday must-haves. With transparent pricing, fast shipping, autoship options and superior customer service, Corro provides a seamless and reliable shopping experience. Many of Corro’s team members have worked as professional grooms, so they understand the demands of the job and are committed to supporting the people behind the scenes. Visit corroshop.com to stock up on the essentials that keep horses looking and feeling their best.
