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.