The workers who perform the essential daily tasks of caring for thoroughbred race horses live and work in a world rarely seen by the general public. Like other socially and economically disadvantaged populations, horsecare workers, who typically earn near poverty level wages, face many obstacles which limit their socioeconomic mobility. Fifty-nine resident horsecare workers were interviewed using the Addiction Severity Index to establish prevalence in this community of alcohol and substance abuse, to design effective treatment, and to convey the scope of the problem in order to sustain program support locally and industry-wide. Findings describe problems in the following areas: medical, employment/skills, alcohol and drug use, legal, family and social support, and psychiatric. Resident horsecare workers in this study had limited transferable skills, significant alcohol and drug use history, numerous arrests, and mental health problems. These factors were exacerbated by the absence of pre-employment screening mechanisms for horsecare workers. Note, tables, references