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How Racehorses are Started
The two basic types of operations that play
the role in the starting a youngster destined to become a racing competitor are
large training facilities and small private farms. This is a generalization, as
is much of the information given on this site, I can't cover every variable in
this writing. These two categories encompass most of the factors involved in the
breaking/starting process.
Traditionally, yearlings are
green broke in the fall and given most
of the winter months off to grow. They return to training in the early spring as
two year olds. With milder winters, all weather footing and the desire to make
the horse more economical, many people continue training throughout the winter
getting them to the track in the early spring. Still others start them early in their two-year-old year.
People who work with babies are a special
breed. Not all exercise riders are comfortable riding babies. Patience and the
ability to "sit chilly" under very
exciting circumstances, are mandatory.
Exercise riders learn their art on the farm,
before moving to the track. Many riders who work with babies on the farms also
follow them to the track in the morning. This practice provides continuity
between rider and horse limiting some of the potential problems and to provide
confidence for the youngster in new experiences and situations. Riding babies is
an amazing experience because they are finding their way before humans have
imprinted their issues and habits upon the willing equine. Like human children
equine children learn quickly.
 In
the east, most of the large training facilities are in south. The Carolinas and
Florida offer weather that allows consistent training throughout the year. Large
facilities can have over a hundred horses in training. Training tracks are
available at many larger farms. This allows the youngster to be familiar with
their workspace in an environment they know before having to be shipped off the
farm.
As is true in every equestrian discipline, each facility has
their own program to teach the young horse how to become a racehorse. Some people
lunge or drive with long lines their babies before backing them. The more
popular way today is to start them in a stall or round pen and go right to the
training track. There are advantages and disadvantages to starting a horse this
way. The focus in this type of training is track readiness - period.
These horses are not being taught how to be
ridden, only how to race. Many racehorses have stronger muscle development on
the left side due to the fact horses run counter clockwise in America. Hills and
uneven ground are rare encounters for many horses that begin their careers in
facilities such as these.
This style of starting horses does not cater
to the show/pleasure world. The horse can be educated to the riding world
outside of the racetrack when the time comes.
 Smaller
facilities usually do not have a training track. Babies receive individual
attention, creating an atmosphere where the youngster is taught more about being
a horse rather than a commodity. There is often more time to teach these soon to
be racehorses to trail ride and to be ridden quietly with others hacking about. When available hills are used to build wind in the horses and to gallop across
uneven ground in fields.
I have done my fair share of beginning
racehorses on my small farm over the years. The advantages in getting a horse
started this way are numerous if you're looking for a show/pleasure horse.
I do not believe where a horse began his
career is a reason to buy or not to buy a particular individual. If this
information is offered, it is worth knowing so you can plan a more thorough
re-education of your new horse off the track. There is no such thing as too much
information when acquiring a “new to you” race horse.
Introduction to Life at the Race track
It is important to understand the way
thoroughbred racehorses live at the track. This gives valuable insight into many
behaviors that seem strange. My theory is the best way to prepare to
retrain a horse is to understand who he is. Much of who your new former
racehorse is comes from how he was "raised" and trained up to the point when you
got him. It's easy to get background information on a former racehorse, by
making use of racing charts and the public nature of racing.
Racehorses live a very
regular routine. This is due, in part, to the training hours of most tracks and
training centers. Horses thrive when they live in a predictable routine. It must
be noted that horses like to know what is going on around them – they are very
curious and social. They want to know what happens during their day, especially
in stressful situations. They are more confident when they can count on
scheduled events such as feeding and training times.
Most tracks are open at
5:30 or 6 a.m. for training. Tracks usually close all facilities around 10 to 11
a.m. Southern tracks may open and close earlier, to beat the heat. This means
the track is available to horses for exercise, in addition to the use of all
other training equipment available at that racecourse during these hours.
A typical day at the track
varies little from stable to stable. The day begins around 4 a.m. with the
grooms arriving.
Water buckets are
cleaned and refilled, feed tubs are removed and cleaned. The stalls are mucked
and bandages removed for leg inspection. Horses that aren’t training that day
are walked by hand. Those who are to be ridden are groomed, saddled and sent to
the track where he might jog, gallop or breeze. Upon the horse’s return to the
barn, the groom and hot walker are waiting to take him from the rider, who is
anxious to get on the next horse.
If its warm, the horse gets a
bath, otherwise he gets a cooler put on him. Either way he is walked for 20 to
30 minutes. After the day’s training, it is time to bandage, the farrier works
on the shoes, massage, chiro adjustments, and acupuncture and other therapy
treatments are done as needed. At this time the horse is fed his breakfast and
left to relax for the remainder of the day. His dinner meal is typically between
4 to 5 p.m. Some horses are fed a small meal upon the groom’s arrival in
the morning too.
Race day is the day
where there is change. On that day, most trainers walk the horse early in the
morning. There are horses that go to the track early on race day, to be trained
very lightly. All other care and duties are scheduled around the time of the
race.
It will
take a while for your former competitor to become accustomed to a completely new
life. This is the first step in “letting him down”. Keep the transition
simple, if he is overwhelmed with changes, he will be excited and confused.
Though
humans are descendants of the caveman, we live in houses with running water,
heat and air conditioning just to name a few creature comforts. Most of us have no
desire to live in a cave or outside. The point is, racehorses live inside a
barn, this is comfortable to them. Most are not going to understand or
like it if you put them out in a field to live. Some people have expressed concerns about the
lives racehorses lead. My experiences have shown me most horses love their life
as racehorses, I do know the horses that aren't happy with that type of life
benefit from a different one.
The comfort of the
racehorse is very important to most trainers and grooms. Uncomfortable
racehorses aren’t happy and are more likely to injure themselves. For these
reasons, racehorses are used to being catered to. If it’s hot, they have fans. Irritation from flies can damage feet and legs, so they aren’t tolerated; fly
spray or nets are employed. Baths are given every day, weather permitting. Clean
teats, sheaths and docks are required.
Racehorses are fed on a
very rigid schedule, due to training hours and a horse's digestive system
functions more efficiently when the competitive creature is fed more frequently.
The quality and
quantity of food the average racehorse receives is stunning to most people
unfamiliar with the rigors of racing. The physical demands of racing require
maximum effort from the horse.
Most racehorses are young and growing. They are put
into a level of work which is extremely demanding. It is not uncommon for a
thoroughbred to continue growing through the age of 5 years; some do not finish
until they are 7 years old. Remember this when you are assessing prospects at
the track.
On average, 14 lbs. of
an 11% or 12% protein, high quality sweet feed is fed per day to each
racehorse. Depending on the size and metabolism of each individual horse, some
horses get much more. A poultice bucket like this one is seen in many shed rows,
set up for dinner.
High quality hay, alfalfa hay along with timothy is
fed free choice. Many times hay nets filled to the maximum are found hanging
outside the door of each stall. The horse can look out the door and munch hay
all day.
This keeps the
horse “in the loop” with all the activities going on in the shed row. This
practice helps limit the nervous tendencies that can be created in a bored
horse.
This diet, fed consistently, would make the calmest horse
"high" in spirits. Many trainers feed a bran mash once a week or after a race. It is easy on the digestive system of the hard working racehorse, much
appreciated after the stress of exertion during a race.
Supplements, electrolytes,
multivitamins, joint supplements, vitamin e and selenium, blood builders, ulcer
treatments, just to name a few, can be added to the athlete’s diet. Horsemen at
the track are asking so much of their horses, they feel a responsibility to give
them all support possible.
The racetrack is a great place
if you are a "horse hypochondriac". Vets stop by your barn every day, creating
an environment and rapport to encourage the trainer to have any horse looked
over they have questions about. Often there is more than one vet in a practice
giving the trainer an option of more than one opinion on the problem a horse
has.
I love this, because I gallop my
own horses. If one of the horses hit the ground in a different way while
galloping, I can have a vet take a look immediately. I know my horses have
received the best possible care due to the direct access to veterinary
attention.
Track vets have a vast array of
experience, by the sheer numbers of horses they look at in the course of a day. As an extra bonus they usually have access to state of the art equipment, such
as digital radiographs, ultrasound for tendons and soft tissue, endoscope and on
and on.
In comparison a farm vet has to
drive from farm to farm, making it impossible for them to see as many horses in
a given day.
The People who work with
Race horses
All persons who work on the backstretch must
be licensed by the state in which they work. This includes trainers, hotwalkers,
grooms and jockeys. Vendors, vets, blacksmiths and even owners must be licensed
to enter the backstretch.
Each applicant must meet specific conditions in order to obtain a license.
Trainers must have been licensed on the backstretch for two years before they
are eligible to take the trainer's test.
Exercise riders must undergo a trial period in which they illustrate competent
riding skills. This license can be taken away at anytime if the rider is deemed
dangerous or incompetent.
All licensees undergo a criminal background check complete with fingerprinting.
They are subject to random drug tests, as well.
Grooms
  Grooms
are the fundamental caretakers of the racehorse while they are at the track.
This is a salaried position for a person to care for an average of four horses
during the course of each day. Their duties include going over the legs and
physical structure of the horse. Saddling the horse in the morning and getting
the rider on and taking the horse from the rider when he comes back from the
track. He administers any therapy or additional care such as bandaging legs,
ultrasound, nebulizer, magnetic therapy, ice, just to name a few.
Race day brings its own set of
responsibilities for the groom. They include all morning preparations, pre-race
treatments that are not the responsibility of the foreman or trainer. Grooms
accompany the horse on the van or trailer to the racecourse. The van departs at
a specified time, being late is not an option. The horse has to be bridled,
bandaged, and receive any other preps before the horse goes over to the paddock. If the horse is on Lasix, it must be administered at a specified time.
Grooms lead the horse
to the paddock from his stall/barn at a specific time and being late is
forbidden; he holds the horse while the trainer saddles the horse in the
paddock. The horse is led to the track once the jockey is mounted to hand him to
the pony rider, if he has one. The groom picks the horse up on the track after
the race and holds him while the jockey and his valet unsaddle him. He then
leads the horse back to the receiving barn and cools him out, if he has no hotwalker.
This is a very long day for the
groom. The day may begin at 4:30 a.m. and not end until the wee hours of the
morning, if the horse is in a late race. They are in the barn the next morning
to care for their charges.
Being a groom is a very demanding
job, both physically and mentally. Most grooms are devoted to their horses and
work long hours to give them a competitive edge and a good life. Trust me when I
tell you they aren't doing this for the money, they do it for the love of the
horse.
Hotwalkers
A hotwalker is a person
who walks horses (it can be a machine). Traditionally, there is one groom to 4
horses - one hotwalker to each groom. Now that is not always the case, because
good help is hard to find and finances tend to limit the staff trainers have. There are freelance hotwalkers meaning they are paid for each horse they walk,
they are not a regular member of the trainer’s staff.
 Hotwalkers
and grooms take the horse from the rider when he comes back from the track. If
the horse gets a bath, the hotwalker holds him while the groom bathes him. The
walker walks the horse until he is cool, around the shed row for 20 to 30
minutes. If the horse is not training that day, the hotwalker walks him "cold",
meaning he didn't get hot from training.
Salaried hotwalkers
usually rake up and clean around the barn. They may fill hay nets and assist the
groom they're assigned to with any care of the horse requiring an extra set of
hands. Hotwalkers also go to the races and assist the groom.
 There
are mechanical hotwalkers; they are quite common at some tracks. I can't comment
much on their use because I haven't had a lot of experience with them.
One machine that is used in
Maryland is the Equiciser. It can be used as a hotwalker, most trainers use it
to give the horse an easy day of training. Again, I don't have much experience
with them.
When a horse is walked or led it
is very different from the way show and pleasure horses lead. Think of leading
pure power around. The hotwalker usually puts the chain over the horse’s nose
and many of the horse’s bow their necks as if on the bit. Some pull the walker
around the shedrow others are as light as air. The hotwalker remains very close
to the horse at his shoulder. When they are really feeling good or “sharp” as we
call it, they may even jig around the shedrow. I’ve often said it’s like leading
a helium balloon around the barn.
Trainers
Trainers are
responsible for everything connected to the racehorse. The pressure a trainer
carries is incredible. Horses are live, thinking creatures, so the trainer is in
effect responsible for something that he cannot completely control. Every
trainer has come across a horse possessed of incredible talent who refuses to
use it. If they don't want to do it, there is little you can do. Imagine
explaining this to the owner. Trainers make all decisions about the handling and
care of the racehorse. Some even suggest their preference as to where it would
be best to send the horse to be started.
Upon arrival at the barn each
morning most trainers check each horse over. They look at them, feel their legs,
ask the groom if they ate breakfast or possibly dinner from the night before. They make decisions about what the horse will do that day. Most trainers
maintain a training chart, typically updating and adjusting the plan for the
following day after training each day. Training instructions are subject to
change even after the horse is on the track, does this sound familiar – training
plans are subject to change in every discipline.
Depending on the individual horse, fitness is only
part of his training. The young horse has to be taught how to gallop. He learns
how to extend his stride when increasing speed. Rhythm is a key factor in this,
just as in other disciplines. The horse will learn to make longer strides, not
more strides.
The trainer also makes decisions
about all aspects of the horse’s general welfare including veterinary care. Remember, racehorses are athletes and this means their caretakers spend a lot of
time and energy making certain they are comfortable and healthy.
Trainers are responsible entering
the horse in the best race for that horse on any given day. That may sound
simple, but there are many different types of races from which the trainer must
choose. The following is a brief overview of the most common types of races.
Claiming races are the most common races in
thoroughbred racing. The owner or trainer enters the horse for a specified
price. I’ve seen them as low as $1,200 and as high as $100,000. At the end of
such a race, if a claim has been made, the horse has been sold and has a new
owner. The horse is immediately taken to his new barn and money is transferred
into the seller’s account. Maiden Claiming is the
same as a claiming race, but all horses entered have never won a race.
Allowance races are the next step up in class. A race
where how much weight the horse carries, and eligibility to enter are
determined by conditions set by the racing secretary. Horses can't be claimed
from these races. Maiden Special Weight is considered a Maiden Allowance race. The horse cannot be claimed and the purse is much bigger, but the competition is
much stiffer. Maiden means the horse has never won a race.
Stakes races are the next step up in class and difficulty
from Allowance races. Horses cannot be claimed from these. I'll go over a few of
the types of stakes races.
The Overnight Stake is an informal stake race. It is one
way to give a horse a chance at black type. Entries close a specified number of
hours before running. Many stakes races close nominations for the race entries
far in advance.
An Ungraded Stake is not awarded Graded status by the
governing committee. This committee examines and rates stakes races each year. Graded Stakes are the most important or prestigious races in North America. They
are assigned grades (I, II, or III) based on the quality of previous winners and
the race's influence on other races or championships.
A Handicap is a race where the racing secretary or track
handicapper assigns the weights to be carried in an attempt to make the
competition more even. Typically, the horses who made the most money are
assigned the most weight to carry.
There are conditions associated with all types of races. The purpose of conditions is to make it easier for a less experienced horse or
one who hasn’t been winning, to win a race. It may be as simple as the jockey of
a horse who hasn’t won a race this year gets to be a couple pounds lighter.
A common race condition is for horses who have not won
two, three or four races. Most racehorses never win even one race. The more
races a horse has won, the tougher it is to win another. Once a horse is through
these conditions and has to run in open company, he is much less desirable to
the trainer and owner for it is less likely he will be able to make money or
support his training bills.
Races are also separated by age and sex. It is rare for
geldings/stallions to run against fillies/mares. Two and three year olds are
restricted to racing against each other. There are exceptions in some races for
three year olds. The most common races are for three years old and up.
Trainers communicate and socialize with their owners. A
successful trainer is a good horseman and a diplomat. Owners can be very
passionate about their aspirations and desires, this can sometimes cause
discord. (This is another familiar aspect with other equine disciplines.)
Many trainers select racing prospects. To be successful,
he needs to be educated in confirmation and bloodlines. Time is spent attending
sales and studying horses available or desired to be claimed. Some owners,
depending on their talent with breeding principles breed their own horses making
this a sometimes blessing or a curse.
Most trainers are present on race day. If the horse is
late to the paddock the trainer is fined. A licensed trainer is required to
saddle the horse in the paddock. When the trainer of record can't be there he
has to arrange for another licensed trainer to saddle the horse if there is no
Assistant Trainer with that outfit. The first two finishers in a race are drug
tested along with a random choice. Any positive is regarded as the trainer's
responsibility.
A person who breeds and owns his own horses may become a
trainer so he can train his own horses. It is common for a groom or exercise
rider to train his own horse. Jockeys who hold a trainer's license may only ride
their own horses, because it is considered a conflict for them to ride the
horses of others.
There are large public racing stables that regularly take
on new owners, other large stables are private working for one successful owner. The same is true of small racing stables, they may be public or private.
Each trainer has his own training style, with the goal of
winning races.
Unlike most riding disciplines, the racehorse’s job is not to carry the rider. It’s the job of the rider to signal the horse and then stay out of his way so he
can do his job. Carrying the rider is a foreign concept. The trainer who bullies
the horse into submission sacrifices the spirit of the horse in the process. By
fostering this spirit, the horse can produce his true potential.
Good equine trainers nurture and enhance the brilliance
of the horse, rather than dampen and discourage this brilliance in and attempt
to get submission.
When you come on the backstretch searching for your
perfect horse, trainers are not in the business of selling horses and tend to
focus on their duties constantly.
Exercise Riders
 Exercise
riders come in all shapes and sizes. While it is possible to be too heavy or too
tall, each trainer determines what his needs are. The average weight of an
exercise rider is 130 pounds – I have seen riders weighing up to 175 pounds at
most tracks I’ve been to. Trainers may have a lighter rider or jockey breeze the
horse, but the every day guy generally weighs much more than a jockey.
The job of the exercise
rider is to gallop the horse so he will become fit enough to race and to teach
the horse to be rideable for the jockey. Exercise riders typically ride with
much longer stirrups than jockeys. They don't use their legs the same as the show
ring rider, though the horses tend to be more used to leg aids than some may
think. Exercise riders teach the horse aids that are refined enough so the
jockey can focus on riding the race.
The task of the
exercise rider is not the same as that of the jockey. One important job of this
rider is to school each horse at the starting gate. A thoroughbred must get a
gate card, which means the horse is deemed to be educated and safe at the gate
to race. A race is not the place to school a thoroughbred, that is done in the
morning.
Jockeys
Riding as a jockey is very
different than as an exercise rider. Their job is to guide the horse through
traffic to win the race, executing the instructions of the trainer, interfering
with the horse as little as possible. Jockeys are responsible for many
decisions in a very short amount of time. The incredible strength required by
the jockey is mostly so he can remain quiet and interfere with the horse as
little as possible. The fitter the horse, the more responsive and touchy he
is. This is one of the reasons to let him down before you retrain him.
Handling The Horses At The Race track
 The
way horses are handled at the track is very different from the way show and
riding horses are handled. Many of these habits occur due to time restraints.
Some of these have to be adjusted once the horse is no longer in a race training
environment.
• All four of the racehorse's feet are picked from the left side of the horse.
• Horses are tied on a tie chain located in the back of the stall.
• They are taught to move over with the voice command “over”, when being worked
on or while the stall is being cleaned.
• Horses are walked around the shedrow in a counterclockwise direction.
• They are allowed to pull against the person walking them.
• Racehorses are allowed to jig and play while being ridden to and from the
track. The rider disregards this behavior and just sits there very relaxed. The
horse is expected to stop this behavior and focus on training when the rider
asks. Racehorses are allowed to be strong and do a fair amount of carrying on at
times. However, they are expected to go directly from this behavior to obedient
when necessary.
• They are expected to behave during their “highest” times. For instance on race
day upon entering the paddock, the horse identifier checks the tattoo as the
horse enters the paddock. The lesson is: do not think your new horse won’t
listen to you when he’s strongly reacting to something. Chances are when you ask
him to behave, he will.
Tack
  Many
racehorses wear a noseband of some kind. A figure 8 is used to help keep the
horse’s mouth closed. When a shadow roll is used it is to encourage the horse to
lower his head.
The reins are usually
1” wide and covered in textured rubber. Thin reins would cut into the rider's hands.
Thicker reins make it easier to keep a consistent rein length which is imperative
in galloping racehorses.
Exercise saddles have a
“half” tree making them smaller and lighter than saddles used in other
disciplines. The tree is in the front of the saddle to protect the withers. I've
placed a close contact event saddle next to the exercise saddle to give
perspective to the size.
To the right I've placed a picture of
some of the most commonly used bits at the track. Please keep in mind that
each trainer has his own training beliefs and those pictured are not representative of
every bit you find at the track.
The top bit is a leather prong
bit, a very kind bit. The prongs are used to exert pressure, assisting the rider
when the horse has trouble steering. Otherwise, it's just a fat, straight, loose
ring bit.
The next bit is commonly called
an elevator bit and is only used on horses that are tough to hold. This bit
allows the rider to lift the horse’s head up.
Probably the most common bit is next, the d - bit. It's a snaffle style bit with
D cheek pieces, it comes in many thicknesses.
The egg butt is my favorite and is also the favorite of many other trainers and
riders. This, too, is a snaffle style bit. The name refers to the shape of the
bit’s cheek pieces.
The loose ring, straight rubber bit is a favorite for babies.
Last is the ring bit, another snaffle type bit, it can have side prongs to aid
in steering issues. The horse plays with the ring and this seems to comfort and
entertain many of them, this keeps the young horse from becoming bored too
quickly.
Both German martingales and draw reins are used at the track. Their use is
usually reserved for special circumstances when the horse is either too tough to
hold any other way, or to help with a star gazer. Once a horse learns to be
controlled with either draw reins or the German martingale, it will be difficult
to transition him to traveling in a correct body shape.
The yoke or
neckstrap, as it’s called in other disciplines, is a strap that goes around the
neck in front of the saddle with another strap between the legs attaching to
the girth.
 In
racing, the yoke is sometimes used to clip rings to. Rings are similar to a
running martingale. They have a rectangular piece of leather or nylon with a
clip to attach it to the yoke. There are two rings on the other two corners for
the reins go through.
The main
reason for a yoke is for safety.
The yoke is the
exercise rider's best friend. Most riders at the track will have a finger or two
in it at all times. This habit prevents harsh hand movements which happen when
the horse makes a sudden move and the rider is caught unprepared. This habit
will save the rider's life on a horse that rears and it keeps the rider from
pulling back on the horse's mouth, sometimes resulting in pulling the horse over
in the process.
There are many different riding
styles at the track. The goal is to accomplish the trainer’s instructions. As
in any riding discipline, there are good and bad riders. Exercise riders have a
different job than a jockey. They teach the horse his job and also execute the
training of the day. Jockeys ride races. Two very different riding
skills.
Transference of the rider’s body weight
with the hands
placed down on the withers is the foundation to correct exercise riding.
Pulling on the reins is an accelerator. Tough horses pull
harder when the rider pulls harder or they run off. Racehorses are on the forehand because
they are faster when they move that way, not because the riders don’t know how
to get a horse to use his rear end.
Forward as in forward going, is very important to
the exercise rider. The lack of forwardness in any gait is a signal that
something unpleasant is about to happen.
◊ CENTERED
RIDING - One of the fundamentals to good
exercise riding is being in the center of the motion of the horse. The rider’s
weight is in the center of the horse’s motion. I explain it this way when
teaching someone to gallop: Imagine your body weighs 100 pounds. 80 pounds of
that weight is in your butt.
◊ RIDING
AHEAD OF CENTER - Being in front of the
motion of a racehorse is not a good place to be. If the horse stumbles or takes
a bad step, the rider risks a dirt bath.
There is one time when a rider might be a little
ahead of the motion, and that is coming out of the starting gate. It does have
its cost at times. In an attempt to free up the horse to get out of the gate,
the rider is forward over the horse’s shoulders, ahead of the motion to
facilitate a quick departure. During that moment if the ground breaks away or
the horse stumbles the jockey pays the price.
◊ RIDING
BEHIND CENTER - There are reasons for
riders do get behind the motion. To accomplish this, the rider keeps his hands
down and shifts the weight behind the vertical for a stride or two, a half halt
on the galloping racehorse. By causing the horse to work harder, this balance
shift temporarily impedes the forward momentum of the horse.
Many really tough horses can be “held” to a slow
gallop by keeping the rider’s hands down and shifting the weight behind the
vertical for the entire ride. The rider must remain completely still during
this time, demanding great body – core and legs - strength.
In the picture above right, the rider in front is
holding and the other rider is allowing the horse run. Perhaps the trainer
instructed them to stay together and the horse behind isn't keeping up, so the
horse on the lead must be held.
 
◊
STAYING OUT OF THE WAY -
Doing the least to impede the
horse’s motion is a major goal of the exercise rider. By doing so teaches the
horse to jog and gallop with ease.
Racehorses have to be taught and then allowed to
"take hold" of the bit. The horse takes a hold of the rider, not the rider
taking a hold of the horse. To interfere with the horse as little as possible
the rider places his hands down on the horse’s neck by the withers, relaxes his
joints so they are able to work like shock absorbers, creating the space for the
horse to have the ability to find his balance in the rider’s hand.
Racehorses are signaled, by their rider, where they
are to pull up or stop. In a normal gallop, the horse is prepared a ¼ mile or
more before he is to pull up. When watching a race, notice the horses pull up
and head home at least a half mile after passing the finish line.
◊
GALLOPING SPEEDS - There are different
gears within the gallop gait employed during training. Horses must be educated
to gallop correctly. The main difference between galloping and running is
determined by the length of stride the horse takes. To increase the speed in
the gallop means the horse is extending his stride. Running has the horse
taking more steps to increase the speed. These extra steps during running tires
the horse quickly.
The term Hobby horse is the slowest version of the
gallop. It is just as it sounds, almost a rocking slow motion canter; a
regular trot is much faster. This speed is usually comfortable for the fit
racehorse, and hard on the rider.
The medium or regular gallop is the normal
galloping speed of most horses. A strong gallop is the normal galloping speed
of a few horses.
The next speed is the two minute lick, which means
one mile is galloped in two minutes. It is the “gear” just below a breeze.
Breezing is the fastest galloping speed, most often
it's a bit slower than racing speed. “Trackers” really don’t consider it a
gallop at all. It is a timed workout; used to prep horses for races or for
getting them fit. A breeze can be easy or strong. To get a young horse fit, he
can be breezed at 5 to 7 day intervals. To prepare a horse for a race he is
typically breezed 2 to 3 days prior to a race. Each trainer has his own
training style and each horse is an individual.
◊ CENTER
OF GRAVITY OF THE GALLOP - The horse’s
withers and shoulders are the center of gravity at the gallop. The rider moves
in sync with the horse’s motion. When the rider is stiff the horse becomes
uncomfortable, due to the extra work it creates for both the rider and horse.
Ideally, the rider keeps his balance in two point over the shoulders during the
gallop (see centered riding).
Exercise riders and jockeys balance their weight
over their feet, they do not grip with their legs. To maintain a straight back
the abdominal muscles are pushed out rather than arching in. The knees of the
rider absorb most of the shock. All of the joints are absorbing some of the
shock allowing the rider to be strong and flexible, not rigid. The rider’s head
and upper body remain still. When the rider’s position is correct and
balanced, he will be thrown back in the tack rather than pitched off when the
horse spooks or stumbles.
◊
RELAXING ON THE TRACK - When galloping
or jogging, in company, the exercise rider may stay just a nose off the other
horse. This causes him to relax, wait and be patient. This is worth
remembering when retraining your ottb to trail ride or hack with other horses.
Jockeys do this in races to get the horse to relax and save himself for the end
run.
(Forward as in forward going/moving, is very
important to the exercise rider. The lack of forwardness in any gait is a
signal that something unpleasant is about to happen. )
◊ LEAD
CHANGES AT THE TRACK - The racehorse
travels on the inside or left lead in the turns and on the outside or right lead
on the straights of the racetrack. Riders ask for a lead change with the
transfer of their weight, not by use of their leg. (This helps the jockeys in a
race.) The changes must be effortless.
Most horses learn quickly that it’s easier to
change leads in these places on the track. All tracks are basically the same,
so the horse learns through habit to change and the jockey doesn’t have to ask
the horse to change at all once he learns this.
When you are teaching the ottb to change leads he
knows how to do it by having momentum. Momentum does not mean speed, it means
moving forward impelled by the horse’s strength with velocity. The horse also
responds to a slight shift in the rider’s weight. This is how the jockey changes
leads. They usually don’t “ask”, they put more weight in the stirrup on the side
of the lead they want. This is not done by leaning, it is done by dropping
weight into the stirrup. If you are balanced and in the center of the retired
racehorse, you should have little trouble getting your lead if you put more
weight in the stirrup of the lead you want, but be careful not to lean as this
will interrupt the horse’s balance. If you put your outside leg back, be careful
to keep your weight in the inside stirrup.
 
◊ REINS
AND USE OF THE BIT - The wide race reins are
usually held in a full or half cross. These techniques allow the rider to let
the horse pull on himself instead of directly on the rider causing his fatigue.
A full cross is when both reins are held together in both hands making a bridge
to be placed on either side of the withers. The hands are held the same width,
often 5”, as the bit in the horse’s mouth.
Many riders prefer the half cross. The left rein
is held in the left hand, crosses the withers and held in the right hand. The
right rein is held only in the right hand. This can be done in reverse, too.
Hands are kept on either side of the withers the same as with the full cross.
Most horses are ridden to and from the track on a
loose or gentle contact rein, the reins are picked up when preparing to trot or
gallop.
On the bit means the horse is in a frame and
listening to our aids, similar to the riding horse’s “on the bit”. The
difference is at the track he is not asked to get off his forehand.
Racehorses are encouraged to keep hold of the bit.
When re-training putting a harsh bit in their mouth to stop this is
ineffective. Racehorses trust the bit; they are not slowed by severe bits.
Many times, the use of a severe bit will result in an out of control horse.
When the bit is more than the horse requires, he’ll probably become resentful
and is more likely to run off to get away from the bit.
Bits don’t hold horses, good riding does. It’s
better to put a snaffle in and re-school the mouth. Good riding determines the
pace. Severe bits are torture to the horse and are a psychological crutch for
inept riders. The mouth needs to be retrained, not abused.
◊ HAND
POSITIONS ON THE RACEHORSE - The “home
position” of the exercise rider's hands has the knuckles of each hand pressed
flat into either side of the withers. This is one of the most difficult things
for the show rider to master when first experiencing galloping racehorses.
Each horse pulls differently, some pull very hard
and others not so much. When the horse pulls hard, does not mean he’s going to
run off. Tough horses run off because the rider can’t sustain the hold, not
because they intended to run off that day. Horses will pull harder when they
are sharp or before they break off to breeze.
A good rider gives the racehorse a stable place to
pull. The rider lets the horse take hold of the bit; he never initiates the
pulling contact. A misconception is a horse that pulls doesn’t have a good
mouth, more often than not they have a very responsive mouth.
Often the same hold is maintained throughout the
training session. This means the reins are not shortened or lengthened during
the ride. Especially tough horses, the hold never changes.
As always there are exceptions. In races if the
jockey changes his hold, it is usually in the stretch to make the horse run
faster.
◊ SLOWING
AND STOPPING THE RACEHORSE -
Understanding how riders stop and slow racehorses is helpful in retraining
them. The yoke or neckstrap, as it’s called in other disciplines, is a strap
that goes around the neck in front of the saddle with another strap between the
legs attaching to the girth.
In racing the yoke is sometimes used to clip rings
to. Rings are similar to a running martingale. They have a rectangular piece
of leather or nylon with a clip to attach it to the yoke. There are two rings
on the other two corners for the reins go through.
The main reason for a yoke is for safety. Many
riders constantly have a couple fingers wrapped around the yoke. This practice
keeps the hands still and down no matter how the horse is jumping around or
carrying on. It’s particularly helpful on a horse that rears, preventing the
rider from pulling the horse over on himself.
Many racehorses will slow and even stop by pulling
on the yoke. This is not intentionally taught to them, but is a result of being
ridden with one.
Standing up in the stirrups drops the rider’s
weight onto the center of the horse is the equivalent to applying the brakes for
the horse. Jumping riders, show and race, employ a similar technique to slow
and stop their horses.
Shifting of the rider’s weight behind the vertical
is the exercise rider’s use of the “seat” due to the fact so much of their
riding is done in extreme two point.
An example of this is when the rider is pulling up
after a gallop, with the beginning of the slow down well in advance of the
desired place to be walking. His hold is softened and the weight is shifted
behind the vertical. The rider’s feet are shifted forward putting his body
weight behind the motion of the horse. The rhythm of the rider’s body slows
encouraging the horse to slow the rhythm of his gallop. Both hands are kept
down on the withers, although with some horses the reins may be lifted and
lowered several times.
◊ STIRRUP
LENGTH - Stirrup length varies according
to the needs of the rider and his individual riding style. Some exercise
riders ride long and others short. Still others and probably the best, adjust
the length of the stirrup for the particular horse and the instructions of the
day. This is the same as in any other discipline.
Most people ride the shortest when they are
breezing. Two exceptions are when teaching babies to breeze and when riding
them the first few times on the rail. The tougher the horse, the shorter the
stirrup length, unless the horse is known to be a bad actor. If this is the
case, the rider must ride longer to stay on.
The longer you ride, the longer you ride, is the
old timer’s adage. This is true and most of the experienced riders do ride
longer than the outsider would expect.
Jockeys do not have the same concerns exercise
riders do. The jockey's job is not to school the horse, it’s to let him run and
bother him as little as possible. They have a lead pony to escort their horse
to the starting gate.
The better riders are not supporting their weight
on the horse’s mouth, no matter what the length of their stirrups. It is easier
to ride longer and avoid supporting oneself on the horse’s mouth, remaining
balanced in the center of motion.
◊ ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
- Thoroughbred racehorses are accustomed to being
asked, not forced to do things. The rider asks and then holds his position,
leaving the horse free to do as asked. For example, the horse is given an aid
and the rider’s hands stay down and the body relaxes with the motion. Most
exercise riders and jockeys are very good at leaving the horse alone.
Many times when the horse enters training for another
discipline, aids are overemphasized and he becomes annoyed or upset at what he
perceives as nagging. In racing, a little aid goes a very long way. Most
exercise riders have an evolved degree of subtlety which is a necessity on a
high performance horse. This subtlety allows a jockey to ride the horse with
his irons so short, because it takes so little to get him to respond.
The more fit the horse, the more responsive and touchy he is. This is one
reason the horse should be let him down before you retraining begins.
 ◊
THE STARTING GATE -
Thoroughbred horses begin the race from the starting gate. In order to learn to
do this, they must be educated on how to break from the gate.
Each track employs a group of men and women who help handle
the horses at the gate. The person who starts each race is the Starter, all
other handlers are Assistant Starters. They are present at the gate during the
race. They load and stay on the head of each horse until the starter presses
the button opening the front doors of the starting gate.
The object is to have a clean and fair start to the race.
The goal of each assistant starter is to have each horse standing squarely and
focused on breaking as the gate opens. These people are committed to the safety
of the jockeys in the afternoon and the exercise riders in the morning.
 A
horse must have a gate card in order to race. The Starter must okay a horse for
breaking from the gate in order to get this card. When an exercise rider
approaches the gate in the morning, he is met by a group of experienced
individuals whose purpose is to facilitate the education of the horse at the
gate. Schooling in the gate occurs at different points of the horse’s training
depending on the trainer’s judgment. Many riders prefer that it begin before
the horse is too fit. The starting gate can be a very intimidating place. . 
Every thoroughbred racehorse is ridden into this small area
and taught to stand and wait to break from the gate. Racehorses are not crazy,
if they were, flat races could not start from a gate.
When you purchase a horse off the track, you are getting a
horse capable of incredible obedience during stressful times, such as the start
of a race.
◊ SOME MYTHS -
It is important to address several "myths" many people
outside of racing may have. The first is, racehorses do trot, or jog as we call
it. On some days their training might be to simply jog one or two miles on the
track. Many trainers have the rider jog back to warm up the horse and then turn
around and gallop.
Secondly, racehorses do know how to walk. Most of them walk
to and from the track during training. When the horse reach the track surface
they walk for a prescribed distance, then pick up a trot to warm up, traveling
clockwise on the track, prior to reversing on the track to begin their gallop.
They are not crazy, just finely tuned and highly responsive.
Thirdly, riders at the track are good riders, duly licensed
by the state and monitored for competence during their careers.
Fourth, racehorses don’t run around like out of control wild
animals – usually. Their training is planned and has a format.
Fifth, all racehorses are not unsound. There are many
horses at the track and they all work most days. Racing asks more of a horse,
so it only makes sense that you’ll see more soundness issues. Where else do you
have a pool of horses that large training every day?
Sixth, many riders have been asked their opinion on the
following question - the response is consistent. Is there a color of horse
that's more difficult to deal with? (referring to the chestnut mare thing.)
There was a time when I was getting on thirty horses a day and it never occurred
to me that I should avoid the chestnut fillies. I galloped nice, nasty, kooky,
smart, classy and crummy horses in every color, shape and size. Every rider I
asked about color indicating difficult or "hot" characteristics looked at me
like I'd lost it.
◊ RULES OF THE “ROAD” -
There are rules riders must follow when riding on
the track. Every track I've galloped at has the same basic rules with only
minor exceptions. Horses gallop the “right way” or counter-clockwise on the
racetrack. The inside rail is reserved for the fastest speeds, which are
breezing speeds. As you come out from the inside rail the galloping speeds
become slower. Horses pass to the inside, when traveling at a faster rate and
it’s wise to say “coming by” to the rider you are passing.
The outside rail is reserved for jogging and traveling in
the clockwise direction. No galloping is allowed. Horses become accustomed to
the other horses who are galloping at them. Many young or green horses are
frightened the first few times they jog the “wrong way”.
Many trainers expect the horse to jog to warm up and then
stand in, facing the inside rail, for a bit before jogging off and then
galloping. At the end of the gallop the horse stands in again. During this
time the horse and rider watch the other horses train, both galloping and
jogging by.
Where do trainers and owners get horses?
◊ SELCTING A PROSPECT - The knowledge of
some more common ways race trainers and owners select and acquire racing
prospects will be helpful when dealing with trainers and owners at the track.
Understanding how they select and acquire their horses, will demonstrate the
differences and similarities between the pleasure/show way of shopping and the
racing way of shopping.
Many
times race trainers and owners purchase horses without a
ppe, pre-purchase
exam. There is a "buy them and try them" mentality for many who are involved in
racing. This is one reason some trainers and owners lose their patience with
people from other disciplines where it is common to have a vet check. Most of
the time they are not hiding anything, they don’t understand why you can’t go
over the horse yourself and see if he is suitable for your purposes, especially,
if the horse is being sold for a small amount of money.
It's
also normal to buy a horse off of his racing form, sight unseen. Many trainers
don’t ride, so not riding the horse before purchase is a normal occurrence.
Purchase
at auction is another popular way to get a race horse or prospect. There are
several basic types of auctions. Prospective buyers are not allowed to ride the
horses before purchase. Most common are weanling and yearling auctions.
Weanlings are commonly turned out to grow after being purchased and the
yearlings usually begin the starting process. These auctions are usually held
in the fall when yearlings are ready to begin work. Horses are usually vetted.
The two
years old in training sales may be the most common way to buy a prospect. These
sales have several days to a week when the potential buyers can watch horses
train and breeze short distances. The actual auction is held at the end of this
time. Horses are vetted during these sales. Most of the time radiographs are
available in a repository.
Claiming
races are another very common way to get a racehorse. This way a horse is
purchased that is already racing. The trainer or owner places the correct
amount of money in his account and then drops a claim slip some 15 minutes
before post time of the race. When the starting gate doors open, he is the
owner of the horse unless more than one slip is dropped. In that case the
actual owner is decided by lottery. The horse is not vetted, most of the time
the prospective trainer and/or owner watch him in the paddock before making the
claim. Sometimes they may watch the horse for several preceding races over a
number of weeks before deciding to claim. The decision to purchase a horse in
this manner is primarily made on his racing form/history.
A
trainer or owner may hear about a horse that’s for sale through the grapevine,
or he may have a call from a trainer whom he has bought from in the past.
There is
a hierarchy to racing. Individual tracks have their own level of competitive
difficulty. Consequently, a trainer at a tougher track will have little trouble
selling his non-performers to trainers located at tracks where the competition
is less. Usually these trainers don’t vet. They will show up the day of the
call with cash to pick up the horse.
There
are times when owners or trainers buy a prospect privately with a ppe. The
price of the horse is often the determining factor in deciding if a ppe is done.
◊WHY AND WHEN IT IS TIME TO RETIRE - Here
are some of the reasons why trainers and owners retire a horse from racing.
(1)
Lack of talent or being too slow is probably the number one reason. These horses
make some of the best show prospects. The horse may actually have some talent,
though he lacks the competitive nature necessary in a racehorse. Slow at the
track is still very fast for most people outside racing; he will likely be fast
enough for your purposes.
(2)
Each trainer has a limited number of stalls assigned at the track. He is
expected to make a certain number of starts per stall each month. The trainer or
owner may elect to sell an untalented horse, and bring one in that may have
more promise.
(3)
When a horse needs time off and the owner is not willing to wait, the horse may
be sold or placed. This could be due to an injury that will heal completely or
simply because the horse is needs a break.
(4)
Horses must be eligible to race. Each racing jurisdiction has a set of rules
and qualifications for the horses to be allowed to race at the tracks under
their governing.
There
is a cut off age for maidens. As stated before, maidens are horses who have
never won a race. In Maryland, if by the age of 6 years old the horse has not
won a race, he is not eligible to be entered in a race.
If a
horse has run for a claiming price that is less than the bottom claiming price
in a particular jurisdiction, he can not be entered or stabled in that
jurisdiction. In Maryland, the bottom is $4,000, so if the horse is run in a
$2,500 claiming race in another state, he can no longer race in Maryland until
he later finishes 1, 2, or 3 for $4000. There are other ways to become
ineligible, but these are the most common.
(5)
Horses can be placed on the vet’s list. There are veterinarians who are employed
by the state to watch over horses who are racing. They check each horse on race
day for soundness before the race. A state vet is behind the starting gate and
watches the horses warm up in the post parade. (S)he has the power to prevent a
horse from racing that day if it is seen to be lame. They also watch the horses
pull up after the race. If a horse is found to be lame it is placed on the Vet’s
List; this is found in the Secretary’s office. The horse must be observed by the
State Vet during a timed workout and deemed to be sound during and after it in
order to get off the Vet’s List. Sometimes the trainer will decide to get rid of
the horse instead of doing this. Another powerful list is the Starter’s List in
the Secretary’s office. This is for horses that refused to break from the gate.
A horse can be permanently barred from racing for this.
What happens
to race horses when they aren't competitive?
What are the options available to trainers or owners
when they decide to sell or place a horse? Racing isn't a job as much as a
way of life for all on the backstretch, including trainers. There is not
much time for socializing outside of the racing world. When a trainer
wants to sell a horse, he knows lots of other trainers to call, and that's
usually all he knows. So, the easiest way for most trainers to move
a horse is to sell him or her to a trainer at a lesser track, or worse send him to
auction. By auction I don't mean the kind where racing prospects are
bought and sold. Normally, a trainer can pick up the phone and have
another trainer at a less competitive track come and buy the horse almost
immediately. No vetting and cash sale. Many times the horse is gone in less than
24 hours.
Some trainers have the horses picked up by a man who
takes them to auction. This is done on demand or on a certain day of the
week. This kind of auction is not a good place. In our area the
horses end up in New Holland, PA or Sugarcreek, OH. There is a slim, very
slim chance the horse will be purchased by someone who wants a riding horse.
The majority of horses are bought by "meat men" who ship them to
plants in Mexico and Canada. They are killed
in horrible ways and then slaughtered for their meat. This is
something that should never happen to any horse, but if we want racing to
survive, it must stop happening to thoroughbreds. The public isn't likely to
fall in love with an equine athlete who will be tortured, killed and eaten when
he fails to be competitive. This is my opinion and it's the major reason I'm spending all this time trying to help potential
thoroughbred owners retrain for new careers. I know that the bigger the market
for sport ottb's, the more horses avoid slaughter.
Now for my favorite way for a thoroughbred to retire
from racing. Transitioning to a new career is the best option for everyone
involved. When I say career, it could be companion, eventer, jumper,
dressage horse, broodmare, trail horse, faithful sidekick - you name it.
Thoroughbreds are smart and athletic, they can do anything given good guidance
and a chance. I am biased, I'll admit I'm a to the core thoroughbred
person. I'm not the only professional that recognizes the ability and
talent of the thoroughbred. How do you get one off the track or after he's
let down? That's one of the main goals of this online book. There
are many rescue groups who assist in this goal. I hate that word rescue,
because most racehorses don't need rescue, they need a new career. There
are lots of horsemen who send them home to their own farms and place them at
that point. You can buy one right off the backside with a little know how.
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