Corro and HorseGrooms know that behind every great horse is a wonderful caregiver. That’s why, each month, Corro and HorseGroom 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.
Behind the Barn Doors: A Groom’s Journey From Massachusetts Winters to Florida Sunshine. An Interview with Jiliann Miller
How did your journey with horses begin?
I’ve pretty much grown up around horses. It all started when I was about eight to ten years old and part of a Girl Scout troop — one of the badges we could earn was the horse badge. I went to a local lesson barn to complete it and immediately fell in love.
After that, I stayed at that same barn for years — riding after school, spending weekends there, and spending every summer helping out however I could. Horses became a part of my everyday life through childhood.
When I started college, I needed a summer job and reached out to another barn near my hometown of Acton, Massachusetts. They took me on, and I eventually started working my way up, spending winters in Florida. Since then, I’ve worked for a few different programs and made the move south full time — I’ve officially sworn off New England winters!
Who are you working with now, and what does a typical day look like?
Right now, I work for Allison “Ali” Brock, and our days start early — around 6:30 a.m. We begin with feeding and chores, and then rotate horses through the walker before turning them out. Ali usually starts riding around nine, so I spend the morning getting her horses ready and then cooled off and put away afterward.
We feed lunch, do another round of walker groups in the afternoon, and usually finish up around 3:30 or 4:00. We rotate night checks, too — it’s busy, but it’s a good rhythm once you’re in it.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice about being a groom, what would it be?
Soak it all in. Learn everything you can from everyone you meet, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes — because you will! Every groom has those moments, but that’s how you grow.
Is there a particular trick or routine you swear by in the barn?
I’m really big on keeping legs clipped, especially in Florida. With all the humidity, sand, and other elements, it makes a huge difference in keeping the horses’ skin healthy.
I also love using wipes or mild leg soaps to clean off grime, and I’m religious about keeping them as clean as possible — but also realistic. Horses are horses, and sometimes they just need to roll in the dirt and be themselves.
And of course, feeling their legs every day — it’s not really a “trick,” but it’s something I never skip.
Do you have a go-to product from Corro that you love using on your horses?
There’s a product called Healthy HairCare Sunflower Suncoat SPF Spray that I absolutely love — it’s a sunflower-based coat protectant. My personal horse gets so sun-bleached in the Florida sun, so I spray it on her after every bath. If it’s cool out and she doesn’t need a rinse before turnout, I still use it as a sunscreen and coat conditioner. It makes a noticeable difference in keeping her coat healthy and shiny.
I haven’t had a chance to do a deep dive at the Corro store in Wellington yet, but I’m really excited to go back, take my time browsing, and stock up on a few things!
What’s been your proudest moment as a groom so far?
One that stands out was with a horse I worked with a few seasons ago. He always had something going on — a little injury here, a setback there — but we were able to get him healthy and happy enough to do a full Grand Prix season. Seeing him out there, proud of himself and performing well, was incredibly rewarding.
Beyond accomplishments, I’m proud of the quiet moments — like when a horse I’m grooming looks at me with total trust, knowing I’ve got their back. That bond is everything.
What’s something you hope to accomplish as you continue your career?
I’d love to travel to Europe with horses someday — to experience what it’s like to fly with them, manage them abroad, and work at European shows. I’ve done some FEI grooming in the past for junior riders, but I’d love to do it at the senior level — maybe even at the Grand Prix or small tour level.
Like most grooms, the dream of going to the Olympics is always in the back of my mind — just to be part of that environment would be incredible.
What do you do to keep the job fun and engaging?
I like to keep the atmosphere light. I laugh with the horses when they do something goofy, take pictures of them being silly, and of course hand out plenty of cookies. Teaching them little tricks — like smiling — keeps things fun too.
At the end of the day, horses have huge personalities, and it’s important to let that shine through. Keeping things playful makes long days so much more enjoyable.
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!reciation by gifting your groom an Insiders membership—a meaningful way to invest in their growth and expertise. Learn more here.
Stable Owners & Managers: Support the mission of HorseGrooms by becoming a Stable Supporter and help to provide more resources for grooms across the industry. Learn more → Stable Supporter Program
Learn more about HorseGrooms at horsegrooms.com
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.
