Addendum to Update
I have always maintained that horses don’t have to be dancing on their toes and high as kites in order to train, work, or race well.
Chance is the perfect example. I lead him with just a normal lead rope, although for the track I have a leather lead with no chain, and he drags his butt along 6 feet behind me like he’s going to slaughter. He stands still and waits for me when I drop the rope and say “whoa”. He normally looks like he has no energy and even grazing could be becoming work .
He walked like his normal self through the parking lot, through the barn, and through the tunnel. But the instant his feet hit that track he became a racehorse. As anyone who knows horses is well aware – horses have an instant on switch. The most placid old gelding can go from half-asleep to bolting away at top speed and snorting fire if something spooks him. No warm up necessary.
Given the choice, surely relaxed is better for the horse’s entire system. It can’t be good for a horse to be on edge and keyed up all the time.
Chance’s behavior today also makes it pretty clear he understands the difference between his everyday life and his job. After his workout he was back to his normal laid back, and lazy-looking self.
2 Responses to Addendum to Update
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- It’s Another New Year! January 5, 2013
Maureen,
Thank you — I just love reading your blog and have learned so much about racehorses — you’ve confirmed so much of what I believe about conditioning, naturally-kept horses, etc. I just have 3 trail horses, but I love TBs and racing.
Do you know of Ellen Parker, of Pedlines, who has the site http://www.reines-de-course.com? I think she would LOVE to hear how your wonderful grandson of Broad Brush is doing. She is in KY but I don’t know where.
God Bless you and your critters,
Linda Fairey
Midlothian, TX
You should never say “just trail horses”. Horses that can go out in the real world and take their owners to interesting places are very important and skilled.
Good to know that people out there still love TB’s and racing. I wish the racing industry would make itself more friendly. People don’t need to be rich to own a racehorse and have fun. But that’s not the message that racing sends out. It’s quite possible to buy an inexpensive horse, train it at home, and then find a trainer to handle it at the track for you. If a group of friends were to get together, the whole project becomes very affordable. Standardbred racing is a family sport where everyone gets to participate – Thoroughbred racing could learn something from them.
I don’t know of Ellen Parker. I will check out her website. Thanks.