First time on turf - how to prepare a horse
Preparing a horse for his first start on turf is trickier than most people realize. Most tracks ban maidens from their grass courses, and many allow only grass stakes-nominated horses who have not made their last start against maidens or claimers to work on the turf course.
Bill Heller (10 July 2008 - Issue Number: 9)
Strengthening Young Thoroughbreds' Limbs
One of the major challenges in training racehorses is keeping them
sound. Not unlike a human athlete, a racehorse's ligaments, tendons,
bones and joints are susceptible to injury throughout its career and, at
times, it seems impossible to avoid some sort of musculoskeletal
mishap.
Kimberly French (14 February 2008 - Issue 7)
TRM Trainer of the Quarter - Bill Mott
The TRM trainer of the quarter award has been won by Bill Mott. Bill and
his team will receive a TRM product portfolio worth in excess of
$1,500. The portfolio will consist of TRM tack bags and saddle pads as
well as a large selection of the world famous TRM product range.
Bill Heller (14 February 2008 - Issue Number: 7)
Taking Time to Review your Hiring Procedures
The Federal Government has stepped up enforcement and prosecution of
EMPLOYERS who hire undocumented workers. Felony criminal prosecution and
fines are being imposed for employers who cannot show they have taken
the steps required in the hiring process.If as an employer you have a
perspective employee fill out the Form I-9 (U.S. Department of Homeland
Security Employment Eligibility Verification form), and you examine the
required documents, you will not be fined or prosecuted, even if it
turns out that the documents were falsified and the employee turns out
to be an undocumented alien. Of course, if you knew the worker was
undocumented, you can still be fined or jailed. Therefore, it is
strongly recommended that you follow the procedures that are outlined
below.
Edward I. Halpern (14 February 2008 - Issue Number: 7)
Spooky Mulder - winning the hard way
The Daily Racing Form’s comments following Spooky Mulder’s 78 past performance lines tell you all you need to know about the nine-year-old gelding named after David Duchovny's quirky FBI TV character on The X-Files.
Bill Heller (01 December 2007 - Issue Number: 6)
Racing Power- supporting muscular effort through nutrition
The powerhouse for a horse in training is found in its large muscle mass. Whilst genetic makeup within the Thoroughbred breed has a large impact on a horse’s innate racing ability, dietary factors will also influence subsequent performance.
Dr Catherine Dunnett (01 December 2007 - Issue Number: 6)
Breaking In - laying the groundwork with the racehorses of the future
While the Thoroughbred racehorse has evolved through methods of breeding, raising, feeding, vaccinating and training, one thing that has remained fairly constant is that they must be broken in with great care and patience if they stand any chance of doing what they were born to do.
Frances Karon (01 December 2007 - Issue Number: 6)
Tooth Trouble - why regular dentist visits are essential for racehorses
The mouth of a Thoroughbred is the principle means of communication between the horse and his rider. Other aids are used as well, but for many, the bit is what determines direction, rate of speed and position or frame in which the horse moves.
Kimberly French (01 December 2007 - Issue Number: 6)
Tampa Bay Downs - from afterthought to success
Slowly, yet surely, Tampa Bay Downs is evolving from that "other track in Florida" into a viable winter/spring option for good and even great horses and horsemen."We were an afterthought," Tampa Bay Downs Vice-President and General Manager Pete Berube said. "But we've been able to dispel that stigmatism the last few years."
Bill Heller (01 December 2007 - Issue Number: 6)
Willie Mullins - a trainer with strong opinions
I’ve come to Willie Mullins’ yard in County Carlow, Ireland, expecting to see some strong horses and to hear some strong opinions. With Hedgehunter trotting past me up to the gallops, I’m certainly not disappointed in the first instance.
Lissa Oliver (European Trainer - issue 20 - Winter 2007)
Åge Paus- It's hard to keep a good man down
He was riding in flat races in Norway at the age of eleven. He rode his first race over hurdles at thirteen, and one year later he became champion jump jockey. Yes, it may have been on a small circuit more than 50 years ago, but it was already clear that Åge Paus was a horseman a bit out of the ordinary.
Geir Stabell (European Trainer - issue 20 - Winter 2007)
Global Superbet - Can it take horseracing to a bigger stage?
Twenty-five years ago John R. Gaines in Kentucky came up with an idea, the Breeders’ Cup series. Gaines felt that Thoroughbred racing needed a high profile day, which would make it possible for the sport to compete with NFL, NHL and NBA in the media picture. Everyone involved in racing agreed.
Geir Stabell (European Trainer - issue 20 - Winter 2007)
Oiling the Wheels - using oil as a supplement in the diet of racehorses
Historically, oil has not featured highly in the diets of horses in training, or indeed those of other horses. The natural oil content of pasture and other forages is quite low at between 2-3% on a dry matter basis, yet despite this, horses digest oil extremely well. Oil added to the racehorses’ diet is tolerated well, with no major palatability problems having been reported.
Dr Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - issue 20 - Winter 2007)
TRM Trainer of the Quarter - Larry Jones
The TRM trainer of the quarter award has been won by Larry Jones. Larry
and her team will receive a TRM product portfolio worth in excess of
$1,500. The portfolio will consist of TRM tack bags and saddle pads as
well as a large selection of the world famous TRM product range.
Bill Heller (01 December 2007 - Issue Number: 6)
News from North California - Saving Bay Meadows
The appeal by the "Save Bay Meadows"Committee was heard before the
1stDistrict Court of Appeals on September 19. By all accounts, a
decision is due by the Court before the end of the calendar year of
2007. If successful, the citizens group will push that the Bay Meadows
development be put to a vote by San Mateo residents as to whether they
want the proposed project to move forward. If the appeal is denied, it
basically ends any hope that Bay Meadows will not be developed in the
near future. It seems almost certain that Bay Meadows Land Company would
start their project in the fall of 2008.
Charles E. Dougherty, Jr. CTT Deputy Director (First Published: 01 Dec 2007)
Jerry Hollendorfer - interview with a racing legend
Jerry Hollendorfer is the classic case of the big fish in the small pond. Small in stature but giant in achievements, ";The Dorf" has become a training legend in Northern California. During the past 21 years, Hollendorfer has led every meet at Bay Meadows and Golden Gate Fields. That staggering total reached 61 this year following his 33rd straight Bay Meadows title and 28th consecutive Golden Gate crown.
Steve Schuelein (01 October 2007 - Issue Number: 5)
In at the deep end - Mike Back, the trainer and mechanic
Fair Meadows racetrack in Tulsa, Oklahoma is sheltered under the shade of the city’s imposing skyscrapers, yet once there the eye is riveted by the busy jumble of pick-up trucks and horse trailers, cowboy hats and shiny belt buckles. The stabling area is well stocked for the mixed racing meet. Walk down the barn and pick a nose to scratch from among the heads stretched over the doors of their cedar chip-bedded stalls: Quarter Horse, Paint, Appaloosa or Thoroughbred.
Frances J Karon (01 October 2007 - Issue Number: 5)