One of my clients has a race horse he would like me to work with. This horse is a 2 year old and has been in a quite a few races. However he has never placed. I watch him in one race and when he is on the turns he is pritty fast but on the stright he slows down. Back at the ranch I put him in the round pen and he runs fast but in a big arena with stright sides she slows down. His current trainer says to stop racing him he is no good. I say he just needs some better training. Sence he was 9 months he was always trained in a round track or round pen never on an ovel track. I think he is lost on a stright. Would it be a good idea to take him out on a long stright road and let him just run. no turns or anything.
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christenarosehorses
I know that people race two year olds, even though their bones and ligiments are not fully grown, if this horse has had a bunch of races under his belt, I would not race him again until he was at least three or even as a four year old. Racing two year olds is a short term venture. Most break down or sour after a year of racing and if he is a good horse then he needs the chance to do his best. This means he has to be sturdy enough to take the punishment of racing.
He just my not have the stride or the muscle maturity to do well on the straight. In the mean time if you are a light weight rider or have an exsercise jockey you could start building and training his muscles and to lengthen his stride. But be careful on the amount of mounted work you do. He is after all just a baby and they can easily damage their legs with high impact training
Cheers
Excuse me , but I have to express my astonishment about your question !
As you have clients you consider yourself a professional. How can you accept that a young horse is trained (not only educated) with the age of 9 month and suggest to continue his training at the age of 2 years, even if the owner considers to stop racing ? What is your benefit ? What is the benefit for the poor horse ? Why don't you just let the horse in peace and grow up physically and mentally. I thought the reason why people join this university and use certain methods is “TO MAKE A BETTER WORLD FOR THE HORSES”.
cristina,
I understand your astonishment, and I sympathize, but why the lashing out at christenarosehorses?
After all, he/she didn't race this horse, but is here asking for advice. It's a big step in the right direction, don't you think?
.
If we want to make the world a better place for horses, I believe we need to start by meeting those we want to reach the most, with a friendly smile and helpfulness - or we will lose them.
(Maybe we can think of them as "remedial horses"?) ;) ;)
christenarosehorses,
I understand your question. And it is sad that the poor horse has been through so much at such an early age but saying this we have to help you answer your question.
If you, a kind person cannot get to help this horse the owner will probably get someone else or worse put it up for slaughter.
Is it possible to talk with the owner and make some suggestions?
Are they openminded enough to listen to you if you suggest a rest period for the horse to mature?
If you answer no to these questions you can then ask yourself, do I want to be involved with people who are not putting the horses' welfare first?
I know from watching your videos that you want what is best. This is true because you had the courage to post them in the first place and listen to any critisium given and that is not easy.
As to allowing the horse to run straight, I'm not sure I understand the situation.
Are you talking about mounting the horse yourself, you're pretty tall but slight.
Are you asking about letting the horse run unmounted?
Perhaps you can let me know before I give an educated answer.
Ronda
Hi, in your question lies the answer... just try working him as you believe he will feel better, it does no harm to try, there is nothing to loose, maybe it works out and everyone will benefit from it. Give him time. Always try what you think may work, and make sure your horse's well being comes first. Good luck!