Succulents and treats for the horses - secret weapons or folklore?
Training racehorses could be described as being the epitome of art and science coming together. Whilst the latest research and recommendations are important where racehorse nutrition is concerned, there has always been a strong belief in tradition and folklore in the racing community.
Is there a place for medication in racing?
The single biggest area of debate currently in the Thoroughbred racing industry is the issue of racehorse medication. Medication is often characterized by the media and by people within and outside the industry as a black and white issue where one side of the argument is framed in terms of “hay, oats and water,” and anything else is considered permissive medication.
New research into the treatment of tendon and ligament damage in the Thoroughbred
Around 35% of the veterinary research and education budget is spent on projects to understand musculoskeletal disorders, improve their treatment, and prevent and minimize injury to racehorses.
Does racing do enough to help its backstretch workers?
Is the racing industry doing enough to support the key members of staff on the backstretch, we look into the people and associations that are working hard to provide better facilities for these invaluable racecourse workers.
Treating outbreaks of flu in vaccinated horses
The devastating flu outbreak that rampaged through the Australian horse population in 2007 was an important wake-up call reminding us that equine influenza virus is an ever-present threat.
TRM Trainer of the Quarter - Art Sherman
Art Sherman went to the 1955 Kentucky Derby as the groom of Swaps. Forty nine years later he returns to Churchill Downs as the Trainer of California Chrome. The impressive winner of the Santa Anita Derby. For the Triple Crown season, he's our TRM Trainer of the Quarter.
CTT Trainer Profile - Richard Baltas
The trainer who turned Big Macher into a stakes performer!
Sid Fernando - Dishing out the dirt
Read Sid Fernando's excellent column on how race tracks across North America are shedding the All Weather tracks and returning to Dirt surfaces. But just why would they want to do this?
Pastern fractures - Split Pasterns, the injury that gets worse before it gets better
Fractures are relatively common injuries in thoroughbred racehorses and in a recent scientific report, equine orthopaedic surgeons detailed the healing time of a 'split pastern', warning that radiographs taken at the time of injury might not reveal the full extent of the damage.
Los Alamitos Race Course - dedicated thoroughbred meet heralds a new expanding racetrack
Los Alamitos, in Southern California, rose to national prominence as the base of Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome and this summer joins the main California Thoroughbred circuit with 3 meets scheduled for this year. The inaugural meet this July will host the Los Alamitos Derby-G2, with a guaranteed purse of $500,000. The buzz is almost tangible!
Northern Dancer - a giant among Thoroughbreds
Few horses were ever as animated and filled with a zest for life as the great racehorse and sire Northern Dancer. The bay son of Nearctic needed all the grit and exuberance he possessed, however, because he broke through prejudice and naysayers at every turn.
Shunted heels - avoiding cracks with proactive management
The Thoroughbred foot is thin-walled and light, adapted for speed and efficient use of energy. This adaptation renders the hood more susceptible to hoof capsule distortions.
Darin Lamoureux - horseman with focus on long-term success
Lamoureux is anything but a one-hit wonder and since Super Saver, a yearling he broke and trained, won the 2010 Kentucky Derby, he has delivered winners with unfailing regularity.