Wed. Misc.

Horses were driven riderless last night in the field in the vid.  Dried sweat still shows on #148 on right as we've a bit off a problem being without bathing facility.   Double left click to get best view.

Aim was to get riderless full speed bursts--fast twitch muscle maintenance.  #148 performed short spurts in each of the last 3 days, showing a little talent to boot.  Had I time to square him up to show himself in a photo, his work shows on his frame. The horse so far demonstrates what Tom Ivers called "acquisition".  #148 does everything right, all that is asked of him both riderless and under tack.

#7 in contrast is turning into a problem.  The horse just refuses to run fast either in response to the whip or running with other horses.  Never seen a yearling that holds back running with his buddies.  Unknown what the problem is exactly though considering creative ways to solve this significant problem.  The horse also appears a little less thrifty than one would expect from the care.  Problem might be as simple as the horse is unable to get proper rest on the our drought hard ground.  He's certainly showing a puzzling lack of energy.  In addition, the horse has a bit of a refuser under tack.  So--we have one showing acquisition, the other otherwise. Will see over next few days if we can light a fire under #7.

Challenges In Getting To The Race Track

The next one is $$$.  When u run out of it, the racing stops in its tracks.  RR stable:  been there/done that in Lexington, KY 1998. 

The good stuff re TB racing it's maybe the only professional sport widely available at relatively low cost.  NASCAR requires 10 million to get in.  TB is upper middle class doable in terms of $$$.

Discussing $$$ and racing need we take note that a dollar is hardly what it was even a few years ago?  Being old age, $3000 seems like a lot of dough to me whereas now days an income of $3000/mo. puts one barely above the poverty line. Similarly, when I got in they were talking about training fees of $20/day.  $30-35/day was average and $60/day was high.  What will $60 per day or $1800 per month/horse get now days at a race track--probably a horse that is getting less than it needs for optimal performance.(concluded last sentence before below analysis.  Maybe $1800/mo/horse gets decent training?)

Whats it cost?  Having been absent from race track for a while,  am trying to fathom.  Look at this "per horse".

$150.00 Hay--half a bale a day at $10/bale were we are.
$125.00 Straw and bedding.  I use straw on top of sawdust. 3 bales/week at $8/bale.
$162.00 Feed--15 lbs/day.
$200.00 Rider--$10/day (is that still the going rate. Surely it's $12-$15 by now.)
$90.00--Supplements--vitamins, minerals, protein, anti-bleeder
$100.00--track related expenses.
$30.00--tack
$75.00--vet, lasix for strenuous breezes, although I will use over the counter anti-bleeders with the youngsters.
$50.00 misc.

$982.00/mo.TOTAL for a horse that's racing.  Probably can subtract about $182.00 for when the horse first gets there.  So, let's say $800.00 per month.

Need add to this:
$800.00--above expense.
$180.00--stall rent in Opelousas, La.
$100.00--Walker (I prefer to rent a paddock. Doubt one is available.)

$1080.00.00 TOTAL per horse.

If u need a trainer--my Q--why would any trainer mess with a horse daily without making at least $800/mo?
I guess that some would if they have more horses to train.  Let's say a trainer must make $500/mo. per horse + purse share to make the thing financially worth it.

This is $1580.00/horse or $53/horse per day with $500/mo trainer profit. Imperfect analysis that includes stall rent, though likely very close to actual race track expense when one is racing.  Look at this in terms of RR stable next.

Training:
Sat 9/27.  Trainer poops out. Happens once in a while. Started to go to the farm with attitude--just other than into it this day. Off.  Happily by Sun. morn. motivation returns. Takes a lot of physical and mental energy. Occasional vacation permitted.

Sat. Misc.

Breaking youngsters is the easy part, really.  Pales geometrically in comparison to riding one of these down the pasture 30-40 mph.   Ditto race track.  Mine are 22 and 19 months and at this stage comparable to human 11-12 year olds.  They just glomp to you and want to be directed like the good young fellows they are. Human equivalent teenager rebellion stage is a little ahead yet. I've broken close to 10 youngsters.  Unable to recall being thrown at this stage, The dicey stuff in a couple of weeks.

Training:
Thurs. 10/25  Horses were lunged and long lined.  Got some nice speed with #148.
Fri. 10/26  Without help today and most days.  Long lined them and walked them under tack inside the paddock. #7 three times around and then refused moving.  Dismount and circle him around mounting stand with light butt swats of the whip till he decided to go. Called it at that point. I like 'em to forget refusal.  Try again tomorrow.  #7, being older, is a little closer to rebellion stage than #148.  2nd time up on #148 and he handled it like a trooper.  The horse seems sensible and intelligent thank goodness, though he's flighty.  #148 is but 6 1 1/2 hands. Being up on him it seems a lot higher.  It's a long way to the ground with this one.

Wed. Training

65 year old man on horse. Left click to enlarge.  Camera on wrong side of sun.

Alone in space with #7.

First time up on #148.  Easy big fellow.

Is it me or is the air a little rare up here?

 One handed.

Challenges III: Facility

Back on #7 for second day last eve.  Presumably will be trotting in a week.  #148 a bit more problematic though the big moment should happen tonight.  Looking forward to riding #148.  Should be a fun horse.

Riding along and ooops, what's missing with this stirrup leather cutting into my leg?  Leggins.  Had thrown the old worn out away.  Saddle for $500, reins, jockey helmet, still to come. Never ending need for cash.

Plans would be to use November to break and train to saddle--trotting, commence gallop. Begin Preston Burch training in December.

Facilities has become a major challenge.  The farm is 16+ miles from my office.  Must drive twice a day to feed.  The driving part of this is expensive, and an energy and time waster.  And, the farmer has closed his hayfield leaving the horses on a smaller plot unsuitable for open galloping.  For $75/mo. per horse, what can one expect?

The basic problem with the new arrangement--we're without any place to drive the horses riderless.  Very difficult to get the necessary speed.  Facing two choices--
1. Bribe the farmer into reopening the hayfield, or
2. Plan to be at a race track in December.

The latter would involve major expense, near retirement from my office, and a whirlwind of immediate preparation.  Bribing the farmer is much easier and cheaper than being at a training center 6-800 miles away, although thought of going south for the winter in Opelousas, LA, a jewel of a city--part I saw-- is extremely appealing.

Decision time straight ahead.

Training:
10/21 Mon.  Off.
10/22 Tues.:  Bellied #148, #7 rider on, motionless at mounting stand.  #148 was lunged and is starting to figure it out.  He started a full speed burst, blew the turn and I released lunge line so he could complete it.  #7--lost a front shoe.  Off.  Expected to lose shoes with #148 in the pond mud.  His have stayed on fairly amazingly.

Horse Discipline As A Challenge

#7's little moment came last eve as I managed to get on without incident.  Just stood there at the mounting stand, dismount, several "good boys", and will get some movement hopefully next time.

 #148's effort turned  into a training session to stand still at the mounting stand.  The fellow fidgets constantly to the point he's unable to stand still at the feed tub, and now the poor horse is being asked to stand motionless so his less than nimble rider can mount up.

I did finally have to thump him to get compliance.  Unknown what other TB trainers do.  This stuff is just to dangerous to allow refusal, goofing off, or other stupid behavior that puts rider and groom at risk.  When I get the horse on the race track it needs to understand what's expected if it's necessary, as it is on occasion solely for rider safety, to thump him with the whip.

Janet Castillo refers to this in her book Backyard Race Horse. She wrote that she never punishes fright.  I'd add that u never punish in anger, hurt the horse or do anything inappropriate.  The well timed thump is the last resort.

And, let's take note that this is exactly how horses discipline each other.  They understand being thumped very well.  And so, if a horse misbehaves, which for youngsters is frequently like the human 2 yr. old--deliberate refusal--the trainer as I see it has two choices.  One is the "thump" and the other is the Monte Roberts style of driving them till they finally give in and join up.  I have tried both, and really, I think the Monte Roberts way is actually more detrimental and inhumane to the horse.  Why?

What Monte Roberts does is drive the horse until the horse's will is broken.  Other than what u want to do with a race horse imo, and also to me akin to what happens in the gulag.  Take note also that the Roberts method takes a lot of time.  Sometimes an hour or more while u're there breaking the proud horse's will.

Imo it's much more humane to the horse to use appropriate physical discipline in the moment.  Horses understand this very well since it is after all exactly the way they discipline each other. Physical discipline, when necessary is usually quickly effect, u get on with ur business and profusely reward the horse when it corrects its behavior.

There's a third way of discipline I am supposing, which, when u meet a problem or a refusal, u work and work and work with the horse until the horse finally get's over it.  I have also done this on occasion for more intractable problems where physical discipline tends to fail usually because the horse has something on its mind that worries it.  This to me is also a last resort type thing because I lack the time for this method.  I will, however, work with the horse day after day, provided it's part of the normal routine.

Finally, and this is also from long experience. If one has discipline trouble today it frequently works to quit the lesson fairly early after some stern corrections and come back the next day. Often, after the horses have 24 hrs. to consider things, they come back as perfect ladies and gentlemen.

Training:
Fri: 1/18:  bellyingg
Sat. 1/19 bellying + double lung line about 10 min.
Sun 1/20:  Horses were driven riderless in field.  Still unable to get them to really take off though had several short spurts much faster than on the lunge line.  #148 much more the flighty take off sort of fellow than his buddy #7 who basically just gallops along.  Both horses have very decent strides.

More Riding

For my boys, likely, if they're to be galloped it will be myself to do the trick.  How's it going?  First time rider up is a TB rite of passage.  Would have happened last night except unable to get my right leg high enough to get up and over without risking spook. Later the little IQ ticked in and realized what need be done:   raise the stirrups.  So, might happen this eve.  Try to film it on the lousy phone camcorder.

Riding and riders is an ever bigger problem.  I was at the training center in Louisiana for about 4 days--barns full of horses--never saw anybody on the race track.  They said exercise boys come by now and then, and an occasional jock from Evangeline.  Yet, it's same old song.  Doubt the owners have a clue that very few ever see the race track.

After getting to the race track riders will thus be an even bigger problem for me--less getting them then getting them to show every day, waiting for them to get there.  Your life at the track can revolve around this nonsense.  And finally, u've got to find a jock that u'd like to get on ur horses a time or two.

And so, with these boys, it's likely to be me on board.  The riding on Groovin' Wind is going good.  Having to retrain horse as well as rider as Wind was last ridden 2007.  He's hardly the dangerous spook ball that Rodney was, although Wind has his own deer like characteristics that are a challenge

The deal with riding is that ur skill level need be such that u r able to control the antics.  Compared to pro riders my skill level is way below average for the reason--riding ur own every day is quite different than the riding challenge faced by the riders that get on anything and ride 5-10 a day.  My skill is sufficient.  The present Q is whether I still have the body parts to use the skill.  Overdid things yesterday on the inner thigh tendons.  Still feeling my way along at this point.  Will see how it goes.

Training:
Fri. 10/18:  Bellied.
Sat. 10/19:  Lunged and bellied.  Still unable to get real speed on the double lunge line.  Each horse exercised in on and off spurts both ways for about 10 min. 

More Challenges

Riding:  I'm reminded of the first part of the movie Phar Lap where the rider is taking the horse up steep sand dunes with the statement to the rider's wife and kids "he's got to learn to ride even if it kills "me".  So it is with race horses.  The most important part of training them is the riding with the risks inherent.  My riding policy has been and will be "without risk" i.e. avoid adding anything to the risk.

I do this in "step at a time" mode.  Overcome today's stuff and then go on with it tomorrow. 

We have currently youngsters in an open pasture environment that will possibly (is it possible without risk) be asked to gallop without company with deer flitting about. 

That's the environmental risk. There are also a few personal things to factor into the equation at my tender age.  Legs are other than they used to be.  Despite my best efforts to rehab my inner high tendons that were massacred riding fat Rodney, last ride Nov. 2011, my legs constantly hurt some particularly in certain weather conditions. Due to these legs of mine, I am considerably less nimble in my legs since my last extensive fast riding in 2007.

So, the Q, are my legs in good enough shape to do this, and, is the riding-athletic skill still there.  Decided possibly the better part of valor requires a test ride on 17 year old Groovin' Wind.  I've been on Wind, shod him, and working on getting him into some fast galloping just to test my own safety.

The yearling have been bellied successfully.  Ready to get on.  The equipment is here. They're being reeducated after the shoeing time off, and hopefully on by early next week.

Training:  1/18/12--second official day of fully training-- horses were run riderless in high wind.  A few fast spurts.  Passed on riding due to the weather.

Wed. Misc.

they r shod.  About 10 days after starting. #7 stood like a vet holding up his hinds. 10 mph wind. Flies.  He did great.  #148 fronts will fail to hold in pond mud.  Deciding what to do.   The white hoof is going to a continual problem holding nails. Totally porous hoof material.

So, tonight full training begins. Will reintro breaking.  Daily exercise. #148 was lunged double lung yest. Too dark for #7. 

Tues. Misc.

Sat. we got a little run out of the boys in the pasture.  Very discouraging going since then having to do with subject of Challenges in our situation.  By Sun. #148 had lost both front shoes--three days after being shod--in the mud of the pond, as feared.  Back on last night, though very tenuously.  One foot could take on three nails.  Will see.  Started a run last night just before dark and they disappear in the woods.  #7 has two shoes to go this eve.  Try again this eve.  My thoughts are to getting these to the race track, even as early as mid Nov.

Challenges II

Last post--neglected to mention--my new helmet is the $65.00 Tippery Sportage.  Next the saga of the saddle.  I bought it used in Oklahoma City in 1992, and, good grief, have myself used it constantly on numerous horses for 20 years.  It's a 3 lbs. jock saddle that somebody made into an exercise saddle.  Fits nicely on the horse, correctly positions the rider.  At this point the thing is falling apart with the major problem being the straps (that hold the girth) are coming apart or are mush.

Saddles would be other than a problem IF u can buy one that's satisfactory.  Checking the internet what little is available these days is primarily junk made in India.  There's this:

The 6 lbs St. Lourdes exercise saddle made in Britain.  Photo looks decent.  I have my suspicions about the comfort and appropriateness of the tree width.  A saddle need sit on the horse in the correct position.  If u need slide it to far up on the withers due to narrow tree width the rider will sit too far forward on the horse, which is other than over the center of gravity and unbalances the stride.

Jocks use saddles that are more forward and they lean a little backwards to center over gravity.  Has to do with weight and size of rider.  A heavier rider as myself needs a saddle that will sit a little back on the withers or otherwise big heavy me will be sitting on the horse's head.  The width of the tree thus need be wider for heavier riders so that the saddle can physically sit farther back.  The above St. Lourdes  just looks fairly inflexible in the tree to take a chance on for $430.00, and, besides the  third world junk saddles St. Lourdes is all there is until I ran into Mike's Custom Tack.  Voila:

http://webertack.com/sidebar/product/breezer.php

Found this website only out of frustration with what shows at the Google.  Figured--there has to be a tack shop in Louisville that sells decent saddles.  Found this site in the Louisville Yellow Pages.  That's how desperate I was.

Talked to Mike's wife this morn.  He makes all the saddles for Asmussen, Plecher, all the "big" trainers.  Explained that I was other than a big trainer, but needed a saddle.  These are 3 lbs exercise saddles.  Still Q of tree width, and will talk to Mike himself about this.  Cost:  $500.  For us, if it fits, worth every penny.  3 lbs. less than the St. Lourdes.  When u're riding and as heavy as me, every ounce counts.

Challenges

Training race horses is moving bricks.  It's a labor intensive, time consuming, 7 day a week grind.How do those track trainers manage to get out of the barn by 11 a.m.?  I was never able to figure it.

RR stable currently has it's own particular list of  problems.  Let's be positive and call them challenges to be overcome.  More than anybody would want to know about us, except gives perspective to the operation, and discusses some of the practical problems in getting a horse out of the gate when u're 350 miles from the nearest open race track.

We're 40 days into new ownership and, we're nowhere, although picking up momentum.  Found a smaller more manageable field last night where in our riderless exercise I was able to corner them and drive them with the whip, and, finally did get a spurt of speed..  Maybe a furlong. Watched the big boy--wow--big big stride.

 Problems listed without any particular order:

1.  Equipment.  

The horrible condition of my old equipment turned into a humorous but training delaying surprise.  Completely forgot  horrible condition all riding equipment was in when I last rode Rollin' Rodd in 11/1/11.

9/22/12, wanting to start long lining, I went to the horse trailer ( lack my own farm now. Everything stored in the trailer) to get the bit, and the snaffle was broken.  Rodney had bitten through it on the very last ride.  9/22--new horses, no bit.

Ordered this from Bit O Britain::

$160 Herb Sprenger RS Dynamic Egg Butt. Arrived a week later and it's heavy, much heavier than my broken Herb Sprenger D ring.  Why Egg Butt?  Gives a little tighter control than the D ring with the reins. I've also read egg butt lies a little more comfortably in the mouth, which is probably true.  Q as to why bits have to weigh more than a pound.  Anybody in horse racing ever figure out the significance of a light bit?

Waited a week for the bit that arrived 9/30.  Was bellying meantime and ready to put my leg over, and equipment problem #2.  Went to horse trailer to retrieve helmet which now, hilariously, is a mouse nest completely stuffed with my wrapping cotton..   Industrious little fellows.   Quite hilarious to see. No way that's going on my head.

Which presented next problem.  Except for the unrated Caliente Jockey Helmet:

There are no helmets anymore with a chin strap.  They all have the neck straps that fail to secure the helmet on ur head with constant threat the helmet will dislodge in a fall.  What are these manufacturers (and the OTB riding community) thinking.  These helmets are fashion instead of safety.  I'm pondering ordering the above unrated and expensive Caliente as the only remaining chin strap helmet.  Quandry--safety vs. security and comfort. I have zero idea if he above is safe since it's unrated.. Mean time ordered this cheap $65 helmet.

It's ASTM rated.  So, what's the difference in safety with an ASTM rated $1200 helmet?  Same rating, right?  On arrival of this helmet I have zero idea why this is ASTM rated.  Means likely if one were impact the helmet in any particular spot it meets the standard.  Standards are ridiculous.  This helmet is so small it's dangerous.  Sits on top of your head instead of on your head.  And it has the neck harness to boot.  Will do for now.  Decide on permanent helmet later.

First Training

Blogger weighs in at 162 lbs. Thurs. morn.  Order restored on the shoeing front.  Hinds of #148 shod last eve.  One down, one to go.  Some of the exciting vid:

Hardly best shoeing job there on the hind.  Misdrove the first nail and shoe is too far back.  As figidty as this horse was, I just left it.  Will do till next shoeing.  The left came out perfect.  Frogs too hard to trim in the drought on the jumpy yearling.

Short history of training to date.   It's been disappointing.  Several problems with necessary equipment arriving as well as the boys learning their stuff, and unable to get needed speed in the facility.

Horses bought 9/5, in KC 9/10, gelded 9/12.  10 days off after gelding.

9/22 to 10/1 exercised every other day on lung line and then double lunge line.  Never got any real speed which is distressing.  The boys were learning the trick and going barefoot.

10/1 was able to gallop 'em riderless in field.  Too large. Never got any real speed.  And #148 bruised a front hoof.

 10/1-10/6 #148 is off due to his hoof. #7 lunges ever other day and finally got some speed on 10/6 #7 got away from me on the double lunge line and galloped back to the herd.

Shoeing commenced 10/7 and will restart exercise this eve.  Aim is fast twitch work. Got to get some of that.

On the off days horses were bellied. Chomping on bit to get on. Had to wait for arrival of several pieces of equipment--bit, helmet.  All is now ready to go.

So, 1 month 5 days post purchase we've done very little to get 'em to the track.  Some of the obstacles next post. Must get moving.

First Shoeing OMG

Blogger weighs in at 164 at the gym Tues. morn.   24 hrs. later, Wed. morn. 158 lbs.  And that's after two large meals and lots of snacking.  Want weight loss.  Just shoe a TB yearling in the wooded corner of an open field.  Deer flitting about/cold crisp fall air/ huge youngster that's all legs and unable to stand still at his feed tub much less for shoeing/without a holder for #148.  

I'm down in a farrier's crouch, left front between my knees, drive nail #1, and this happened:

Farriers aprons are horribly heavy on lower back.  I avoid using 'em.  This little incident even with my low IQ I'd figured one could sever an artery.  Abandoned farrier's crouch thereafter and just stood at side of horse and held up leg and awkwardly but safely drove each nail.  Only took an hour to tack on two shoes after it took me 2 hrs. day before to fit both fronts.  Avoid all the details--shoeing a TB yearling--OMG.  Leave it at that.

Saving grace is that both these horses are very sensible with high horse IQs.  And, as happens, as the first shoeing goes along they begin to figure it out. In #148s case initially I had about 15 sec. before he'd pull his leg away, but 30 sec. at end. Should be much easier to shoe hinds tonight.

Had to shoe because we're ready to get on. Need the shoes to avoid slipping/falling in the grass. Training is just suspended until I can get these shoes on.  Two days so far, although--I did get a little running in the field yest. with the rest of the horses. Of course, next thing to happen, he'll lose a shoe in the pond.

 What we've done so far and were we go, next post.

Training

Nothing matters till they come out of the gate.  Repeat over and over again for the necessary sense of urgency.  TB yearlings morph into 5 year olds in a flash.  Time's running!

With these caveats what's happening at the RR ranch?  What are we wanting to do with #7 and #148, and what are we doing?  And, for the moment we'll forget that KC is now located 350 miles from the nearest race track (overlooking the Lincoln State Fair and Columbus, NE meets, significantly closer.).  I have given serious thought to training this winter at the state of the art training center in Opoulesas, La., from what I saw an overlooked jewel of city in a most beautiful part of the country.  After my visit, is it any wonder John Franks had his HQ there.  And, if u're training horses in the winter, how about heading "south"?

What better pattern than Preston Burch's book for training early two year olds?  After once again having my copy pilfered--never loan out that book--I am reordering.  Plan is--if I can keep this going (which involves a lot)--to do Burch type training with appropriate modifications.  The blog has already posted that Burch's volume was too high for long term soundness.  The plan is to look at the Burch schematics as we go. Certainly the initial part of Burch's two year old training system seems highly doable, safe, and a way to get horses to the races quickly.  Note for now the specific plans will be a work in progress that I presently plan to document on the blog.

Which brings the subject--what have we been up to with the horses? Generally, two things matter right now--1. the breaking process, and 2. providing enough fast twitch muscle type exercise to maintain speed.  Specifics next.

The Big Test: They Passed

There's always a feeling of dread for that first gallop after auction.  Is your purchase able to breathe "or" is there any sort of breathing problem?  The Louisiana sale was 9/5.  Horses were in KC on 9/10.  Next day I took 'em in a large field and galloped them.  They ran fairly hard considering.  Both showed nice coordinated strides, a litttle speed, and--most happy to report--both horses are superior breathers and maybe among the best in that dept. that I've had.  "Phew".  Other than $4200 + costs = big stuff if u lost that amount due to a breathing problem.  Yet, big in this economy--trainable animals.  Training to date, next post.. Vids below taken before 9/12 when they were still colts and just after the big gallop. Also some from the La. sale.

Photo Day

Who'se the guy with the camera?

                                          Are those cows or lions next door?

                                            Good Morning Uncle Wind:

                                              My owner likes my conformation.

Ha, ha ha.  My owner thought I'd actually drink the water in the red bucket he hauled through the woods.

The Interesting Workout Of Glen Robinson III

I guess Glenn Robinson the pro-BB player was Glenn Robinson II. (instead of I).  I found the training pictured in the Glenn III vid fascinating.  And then B. Pressey provides the excellent PDF on the evolution in speed which all should read, and if u do, u'll see in there the aspect of improving morphology encountering improving knowledge, facilities and training to produce faster speeds, which really is another reference to what's going on in that vid. And then Pressey includes the vid of that young white guy to confound everything.  One does wonder to what degree that performance may have been drug related.  I just disliked the height of that young fellow's pre-race jump.  Nearly unreal.

Back to Glenn III and my theory that given this sort of advance in training regimen how really insignificant birth becomes.  There are, needless to say, minimum body type requirements to athleticism.  Increasingly these are going to be competing against similar superbly trained athletes.  We've yet to get there with horses, and, even, for the most part considering it.  Will be interesting for some of us to come up with a horse program that would get us there.  There are so many possible elements to this.  Leave it to future discussion since the RR blog site now has some live guinea pigs.

How are my boys doing in their training, next post.