It has been said that 'equine conformation evaluates the degree of correctness of a horse's bone structure, musculature and its body proportions in relation to each other.' This is undeniable, but there is remarkably little information in published literature regarding the importance of the position of the head, despite the fact that this has a direct effect on balance, posture and subsequent performance.

The horse is documented as a prey species and as such retains, despite domestication, ares of hyper-sensitivity in loins, abdominal tunic, and poll; pain experienced in any of these areas, no matter the cause, gives you a rise to an immediate fright, flight and/or flight response.

The 47 year old native of Baltimore, Maryland couldn't have got off to a more successful 2014 with Bold Curlin winning the Native Dancer and Extrasexyhippzster the Miracle Wood at Laurel Park.

After a hiatus of nearly three years, Clifford Sise Jr is back and regrouping at San Luis Rey Downs. "I miss the competition" - that says it all!

With the closure of iconic Hollywood Park, the sport is relying on hope even more. This year could be critical.

His like is endangered nowadays. I was jolted by thoughts of this while watching the HRTV broadcast of the Eclipse Award Ceremony from Gulfstream Park on January 18. Wise Dan was the equine star of the evening, a "people's horse" in the same way as Curlin. He, too, is a two-time Horse of the Year and top older horse, plus top turf horse. But Wise Dan is a gelding, and he's by the unheralded Wiseman's Ferry. And he's a turf miler - the weakest division of North American racing.