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 (14 February 2008 - Issue Number: 7)
Derby Starters - where do they go from there?
Led by Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, the three-year-old crop of 2007 rearranged a lot of people's thinking on what it takes to succeed on the first Saturday of May and beyond.Street Sense not only became the first colt to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and the Run for the Roses the following spring, but along with the Derby's second and third place finishers, Hard Spun and Curlin, thrived later in the year. So did Tiago and Any Given Saturday, who finished seventh and eighth in the Derby and joined the top three in the starting gate for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Bill Heller (14 February 2008 - Issue Number: 7)
Resistance Training - can it be applied to racehorses?
The term alone, "resistance training," invites at the very least skepticism, and in some cases, even a trace of joviality. As Hall of Fame conditioner Dick Mandella remarked when asked about it, "I'm very familiar with resistance training. For many years, I've had owners who resisted my training. I've had a few horses who resisted, too."
Caton Bredar (14 February 2008 - Issue Number: 7)
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, just as much as they agreed that Thoroughbred breeding and racing needed new innovations, offering opportunities for more international competition with chances of winning bigger purses. Has it worked? Partly, and the Breeders' Cup has most certainly been more a star actor than just another face to the stage.
Geir Stabell (14 February 2008 - Issue Number: 7)
Hong Kong - Far Eastern racing run by an American
By Paul Moran
The view in one direction frames an expanse of the endless Hong Kong skyline, in another the emerald Happy Valley Racecourse, but this is unmistakably the working domain of an American. Portraits of Man o' War, Spectacular Bid and presentation photos made after races at Belmont Park, Aqueduct and Saratoga decorate the walls, the occupant standing beside Orientate, Sulamani and Funny Cide.
Paul Moran (14 February 2008 - Issue Number: 7 )
Increasing Oxygen Concentration in the Blood of the Racehorse
Oxygen is the fuel of life and its efficient use is the key to athletic
fitness. The respiratory system of the racehorse must work hard to
harvest the 20 percent of oxygen present in the air we all breathe.
Observing a horse after his work on a cold morning provides a visual
reminder of this, as the breath surges from his nostrils.
Barry Sangster (14 February 2008 - Issue 7)
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)
Hoof Matters - concentrating on the foot rather than the shoe
In 1889, for the fourth edition of his book “The Racehorse in Training with Hints on Racing and Racing Reforms”, the English jockey turned horse trainer William Day added a chapter on shoeing, his preface stating “…one topic, highly important to all owners of horses, ‘Shoeing’…might advantageously be added…the aim to deal with facts and to avoid speculation.” Day wraps up by adding that he hopes “it will be found…that the best method of shoeing and of the treatment of the foot has been not only discussed but actually verified… that the prevention which, in the diseases of the feet…is better than cure and has been placed nearer the reach of all.” If only.
Caton Bredar (European Trainer - issue 20 - Winter 2007)
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. The design and function of the horse’s mouth is such that it provides a perfect vehicle for use as a “steering device.” The interdental space allows a bit to lie comfortably without interfering with the normal position of the jaws when they close. Horses are the only domestic animals that have their mouths used in this fashion.
Kimberly French (European Trainer - issue 20 - November 2007)