Behind the Barn Doors: A Groom’s Journey in an Eventing Barn on the West Coast. An interview with Lexie Priest
How did your journey with horses begin?
I started taking lessons when I was five. I don’t really know why, exactly—I think one of my dad’s friends had horses, and I told him I wanted a pony. Taking lessons was the closest I was going to get to that at the time. I rode at a few different barns growing up and moved to an eventing barn when I was 16. I've been there ever since—so almost 13 years now.
I started with lessons, then leased a horse. To help pay for things, I cleaned stalls, did chores, and fed dinner. In 2020, my job shut down due to COVID, so I started grooming at the barn full time—and I never went back to my old job. I’ve always helped groom at shows in some capacity, but now I’m in charge of everything.
Who are you currently working with?
I work for Anni Grandia-Dodson. It’s great. We manage her competition horses, some young ones, and a variety of clients. Our barn includes everything from pros and amateurs competing at Intermediate all the way down to kids learning how to lead a pony. I’m very involved in horse management and care education.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I work in the barn three days a week and also work for our vet as a vet assistant. On barn days, we start with Anni’s upper-level horses. I usually tack up and hack one while Anni rides another, and we switch. We’re lucky to have trails and a cross-country course, so the horses get to go up and down hills on varied terrain, which I think is really important for their conditioning.
After riding, I untack, bathe, clean tack, manage feeding, and sometimes coordinate supplement orders. If we have a working student, I help direct them too. Basically, I’m involved in all aspects of the horse’s care.
You’ve worked at the same barn for over a decade. How has that shaped your experience?
It’s a different perspective. A lot of grooms bounce around between barns or circuits, but I’ve built something long-term here. We’ve had working students come and go, but I’ve been the constant. The HorseGrooms app still helps me connect and learn from others even though I haven’t moved around.
Being on the West Coast, how do you balance your competition schedule with the limited number of events compared to the East Coast?
It’s definitely a challenge. You can’t really stay in Area VII if you have upper-level goals. We travel to California in the spring and again in the fall. Typically, we’ll go down in March for a few shows, then come home and do all the local Area VII events, and return south again in October or November. We lost the Area VII Young Rider Benefit Horse Trials, which was a big hit. They’ve replaced it with a combined test early in the season, but it’s not quite the same.
Are you heading to Rebecca Farm this year?
Yes! We have one horse in the 2* Short, one in the 2* Long, one in the 3* Long, and one in Novice. Plus, we’re bringing around a dozen clients.
How do you manage traveling along the West Coast with horses?
We're lucky to have a semi truck, so we don't have to stop for fuel as often, and it’s more comfortable for the horses. Locally, we have three facilities within two hours. Spokane is about six hours, and Rebecca Farm is about twelve. On longer hauls, we stop every 3–4 hours to water them, check on everything, and let them drop their heads in the trailer since it's a head-to-head setup.
Washington is known for rain—how do you manage all the mud and wet conditions with horses?
Every farm handles it a little differently, but we have sand paddocks and grass fields, so our horses have daily turnout. Our outdoor arena has sand, rubber, and fiber footing, and we have an indoor arena, which really helps. After turnout or riding, we just wash and dry their legs as needed.
What are your top must-have grooming products?
-
DIY green spot remover: I mix purple shampoo with rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. It dries quickly and works well for pee or poop stains when I don’t have time to give a full bath.
-
A good hoof pick
-
Pink Moisture Spray: I use it with a soft brush or sheepskin mitt to get that final bit of dust off. Just don’t forget to wipe it off or it’ll attract more dirt.
What do you use for fly protection in Washington?
Right now we use Absorbine UltraShield with great results.
What’s your go-to for abscesses?
We use Animalintex pads or a vet-made sugardine paste (sugar + Betadine). We also deal with a lot of scratches and fungus due to the rain.
Do you have a go-to fungus treatment?
Yes! We make our own. It’s a mix of Betadine and Listerine in a spray bottle. For really bad scratches, we also get a prescription ointment with a steroid from our vet and use wraps for a few days to soften scabs before gently washing them off.
Do you have any little rituals in the barn or fun traditions that help keep things light?
Yes! Every morning, the horses ask for kisses. They stick their heads out of their stalls, and I ask if they want a kiss. Sometimes I kiss their noses, sometimes their foreheads. Armani especially insists on it—it’s our little routine.
Last question—Let’s talk about the HorseGrooms community. How has it helped you?
It’s been great. Even five years ago, there wasn’t a real network like this for grooms. Now we can connect, share advice, and learn how things are done in other barns—or even other countries.
Meet the Corro HorseGroom of the Month
At Corro, we know that behind every great horse is a dedicated groom. Many of us have worked as professional grooms ourselves, so we understand the skill, commitment, and passion it takes to care for horses at the highest level. That’s why we’ve partnered with HorseGrooms, the leading global platform for grooms, to recognize an outstanding professional each month.
Each Corro HorseGroom of the Month is selected from HorseGrooms Insiders, an exclusive membership for grooms looking to learn, grow, and connect with industry experts. Winners receive a $100 Corro gift card and are featured in this special interview, which we’re proud to share with the Corro community and on the HorseGrooms website.
Join us in celebrating this month’s honoree and their incredible contributions to horse care!
About HorseGrooms
HorseGrooms is a global platform dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for equine grooms from all levels and disciplines. HorseGrooms’ Insiders membership in the HorseGrooms Community offers exclusive Q&A sessions with top grooms, a supportive online community, discounts and perks especially for grooms, and valuable resources to help grooms succeed in their careers.
-
Grooms: Become a HorseGrooms Insider and unlock all the benefits. Join Here
-
Trainers, Riders & Barn Owners: Show your appreciation 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
