tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367714592012-02-17T13:01:57.114-06:00A Training Diaryrather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.comBlogger13171100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-4003851688295561352012-02-17T09:09:00.006-06:002012-02-17T13:01:57.126-06:00

14 horses, several were mares and retired, is pretty much a 14 hour a day 24/7 proposition if you're doing your work. I was always humored in Lexington at the Kentucky Horse Center seeing both barns on either side of me scooting about so they could absolutely get out of there by 11:00 a.m. Major league wash rack of course. Their horses were clean, and put up by 11 a.m. and we were generally

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-12930205714506444802012-02-15T10:02:00.011-06:002012-02-15T10:36:16.511-06:00

Once upon a time I had 11 horses at the farm. I was up to 14 in -97-'98 in my year in Lexington, Ky. I had 7 ready to go at the Woodlands Oct. 1, 2001. I think back to those times particularly when in 2011 before the retirement I would get worn out mentally and physically going to the farm and riding just one horse and maybe doing a little ground work. How in the heck I had the energy and

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-66895215129926777822012-02-12T07:38:00.005-06:002012-02-12T08:25:39.363-06:00

Third parties can provide the horse care or we can do it ourselves in various degrees of involvement. Anybody owning a horse knows what it takes to bring one out of the starting gate, and never mind the potential rewards or financial losses, it's special and personally rewarding in a way that likely never occurs to 99% of the population.My path was always personal involvement, 24/7 since 1987,

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-68970379241734992672012-02-09T11:23:00.006-06:002012-02-09T11:41:31.464-06:00

The Humane Society has become a proponent of anti-slaughter. How do well meaning folks get it wrong--and, referring to other than anti-slaughter profiteers whom I find anything but well meaning and hypocrites of the worst sort. Yes Alex Brown, U. The tens of thousands shipped to Mexico thank u. I digress. Today--a real world rendition from the Missouri Ozarks, and has their been anything

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-33102146875129655002012-02-06T11:17:00.008-06:002012-02-06T11:46:53.291-06:00

Rodney, age 6, with his mares in the vids. Quite funny to see the two in action in a 30 horse herd. Rodney immediately is herd boss. Took about 5 min of squealing, kicking and horses bouncing off him in all directions. Wind, age 17, is the boss of the little mare at the bottom of the pecking order.And, as it happened, more entertainment for the witnesses that saw it. Rodney and Wind

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-33956622322795771602012-02-05T17:50:00.003-06:002012-02-05T21:01:29.087-06:00

Groovin' Wind and his new girlfriend.

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-78138443498958760652012-02-02T12:25:00.008-06:002012-02-02T13:07:12.680-06:00

Since the year 1987--25 years now--your blogger has been "in training" with race horses, referring to the daily expenditure of time, thought and energy, and that's other than to mention the $$$. This was to 12/11 with the decision to retire Rollin' Rodney, my last active horse. I doubt in all that time I ever once gave a thought to it--if I was without any race horses to train--what would I be

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-5326453425498259382012-01-30T07:51:00.006-06:002012-01-30T08:22:56.356-06:00

"...trial by existence could cause us much of our pride."--Harold BloomTxs comment by Bernadette last post! Her use of "trials and tribulations" (of racehorse owneship) reminded me of Harold Bloom's quote above from his late book, at age 71, "Genius", a compilation of Blooms top 100 literary geniuses in the Western Cannon. Shakespeare, Chaucer, Goethe and such. As usual with him, there's

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-75519758361141178932012-01-27T10:59:00.010-06:002012-01-27T12:12:44.866-06:00

So, mid Nov. 2011 I find out that Eureka Downs is history, and now the nearest winter breezing track is 350 miles away. The possibility of continuing training at the farm till the February Tulsa meet was considered but considered unlikely due to a late Oct. Accuweather forecast (from which the vid at left was lifted) predicting one of the colder KC winters, i.e. we'd get the typical late Dec.

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-14015367580009324192012-01-22T09:06:00.004-06:002012-01-22T10:23:39.990-06:00

One week here post to post. Watching politics this week instead of horses. Republicans once again --ritual suicide mode-- SC voting for the ethically challenged hypocrite. Is it conceivable Republicans would put up for president a disgraced/resigned Speaker of the House, Mr. Snapping Turtle, who is without the slightest prayer of becoming president? Wing nut/hate radio crowd. Big problem for

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-30778796729305939332012-01-15T18:52:00.004-06:002012-01-15T19:14:51.921-06:00

"There is no joy in Mudville--mighty Casey has struck out."Training posts have been missing for quite a few weeks now, and so, since this blog also serves as the personal RR horse diary, a report on the RR stable and present circumstances as, whoops, we head into the year 2012, and we're already in mid-January. Rolling Rodney has been retired for a few weeks now. And, of course the minute that

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-43323109539405491552012-01-12T08:27:00.003-06:002012-01-12T08:35:17.585-06:00

The few final thoughts on getting the horse around the track involved my personal experiences getting the job done before I was either a rider or a trainer. It's quite a trick. A complex series of requirements for keeping your horse healthy and progressing athletically and humans involved--the trainer and rider--who are primarily oblivious and motivated in other directions.I was unhappy with my

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-83751816831611386002012-01-04T07:28:00.003-06:002012-01-04T07:38:35.686-06:00

Working on some final thoughts on getting the horse around the race track. The post developed into a lengthy account of some personal experiences. Post after some polish up. Thereafter a post of what's happening in RR stable. Iowa Caucuses last night. Repubs trying to defeat Romney. I wish Romney would quit using the phrase "I know" or "I know how to..." with variations. With Romney

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-24917167780929631332012-01-01T14:48:00.000-06:002012-01-01T14:49:15.501-06:00

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-68304209232744192802011-12-30T10:43:00.003-06:002011-12-30T21:55:37.348-06:00

Got the horse around the track and thinking, this week, now what? The blog is on the subject of performance which is to say winning races. The original plan was to put my own horse through the paces hopefully to a race. Easy to do when u have a race track in your back yard as we used to. And, I found out in November that Eureka Downs is boarded up. The best laid plans of mice and men tend to

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-7237803747355341682011-12-26T11:02:00.003-06:002011-12-26T11:30:48.697-06:00

Getting the ENHANCE part of "Preserve and Enhance requires, owner/trainer/rider knowledge, and getting compliance from the animal.The photo demonstrates "compliance" as problematical even for the .00000001% toughest humans on the planet as shown, female riders-and a little microcosm of typical compliance problems.I've had horses easy to train, horses hard to train, and all in between. I

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-33197426391954377482011-12-25T11:37:00.001-06:002011-12-25T11:38:19.331-06:00

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-15277564704507133322011-12-22T13:01:00.009-06:002011-12-26T11:32:01.618-06:00

Big big part of race horse performance involves the practical effect of getting the horse safely around the race track and accomplishing the training objectives. Training schematics, all the best laid plans, become rather irrelevant unless we're able to execute them on the race track.While in human athletic training the limits of training involve intuitive ability and will to carry out the

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-87634576069291896212011-12-20T11:42:00.006-06:002011-12-20T12:13:26.028-06:00

By all accounts the horse in the photo is still very together as it finishes. The rider, if you draw a line through the center of gravity of this situation is perfectly placed to move forward into correct position as this "bound" progresses. This vid also shows the interesting elevation the front of the the horse gets that we normally miss in live views from the ground. This elevation also

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-66661108367174620832011-12-19T10:25:00.018-06:002011-12-20T11:37:12.090-06:00

Depth of divets. Left click this enlarge for a clear view of divet depth. They'll be deeper yet near the inner rail. Get a few more horses out there and this looks like an egg carton.Freeze framing the inside rider between the 1:41 and 1:53 mark gives superb look at what the rider actually sees and does. Let's say this differs substantially as to what we see from the ground with riders going by

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-31144746976690532542011-12-16T11:59:00.012-06:002011-12-16T12:49:16.595-06:00

(Edit: unclear, unfortunately. Freeze frame at the end of :02 to see one deep divet.)As promised, a vid with closeup of the "depth" of the cups on the race track appear in the first few seconds of the vid. This is a wet track. Divets are just as deep on dry, and visualize hoof to ground contact that lands on side of one of those depressions. In human terms, of such thing are sprained or

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-10581479563633142662011-12-15T11:11:00.005-06:002011-12-15T17:32:56.345-06:00

Few internet images remain of this fellow. Tom Ivers early on used the phrase PRESERVE AND ENHANCE that encapsulates, pretty much, TB race horse training. When we're out there struggling, trying to figure out what the heck we should be doing, think "preserve and enhance".And so, with the mythical rider now at the 4.5f near the beginning of a 2m gallop, what is going through the rider's head at

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-56764726004565012092011-12-13T12:27:00.010-06:002011-12-13T12:52:44.699-06:00

In the picture is worth a thousand words category the last post vid on board camera shows two things that would escape an observer from the ground. One is the obvious amount of force and concussion that is visible with those front lead legs slamming into the ground, and the other is--ask urself--at those speeds what can the Jock really do in terms of improving the horse's stride? Very little

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-88807187082517695632011-12-10T10:19:00.009-06:002011-12-10T11:05:31.969-06:00

First time I closely studied a stride. It's been interesting. Learned a few things. Notice in the first couple of seconds of Rachel's vid, there's Asmussen intently watching at the rail! The speed portion starts at the :47 mark.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ZLZudXKMMDid Rachel's nice stride have anything to do with her success? We'd think a horse with an efficient stride takes less energy

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-31342394854530505662011-12-08T10:15:00.004-06:002011-12-08T12:09:57.961-06:00

Rachel Alexandra exemplifies the importance of stride. Take a look a close look at her coming down the stretch here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ZLZudXKMMRachel's stride is fluid, athletic, coordinated, head bobbing in sync with rhythm of the bounding. She has in a general sense a highly efficient, effective way of going. And, she's fast. Watch those fractions in her two year old

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-44911738134236215242011-12-07T12:50:00.009-06:002011-12-07T13:50:32.106-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7za5GH86Jik&feature=relatedWatch Dominic Terry's hands/rein/bit work. Keep eyes glued on Rachel's reins and mouth all the way around the track,. Repeat this same view with the other horse. What impressions in terms of what these riders do/fail to do in terms of stride?Fairly obviously the superior rider is Terry. Better balance, better flow, better seat and

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-88059794917663185142011-12-05T10:53:00.016-06:002011-12-06T13:36:55.503-06:00

Some posts ago I'd worried about inadequately gripping race plates on turf as one indicator of questionable trainer. You can look at the horse and tell, provided u know what to look for. And then this. they do slip and fall on turf without the right plates:http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66470/chavez-to-miss-five-months-due-to-injuriesThe 3/2/10 Rachel video gives an excellent

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-47901993717865317532011-12-04T10:12:00.006-06:002011-12-04T10:35:18.729-06:00

Mechanics of the stride at speed succinctly hints at answer to Q: what, if anything, can the rider do that will positively affect the horse's stride?Last post noted rear lead leg action at max speed. Watching, this action is merely back and forth fast as possible. Consider the horse, any animal, any human, your self--motoring as fast as possible. Is there really any efficiency involved in

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-1694861449010416532011-12-03T12:37:00.002-06:002011-12-03T21:56:50.974-06:00

Faust:"Too rashly bid, too swiftly done.What wanders here of shadows sprung?"Posted last in too big a hurry. Delete. The edit:What is stride efficiency?Can the rider do anything to improve stride efficiency?Stride efficiency" would involve optimal stride. Moving horse's large heavy body through space at max possible speed utilizing minimum possible energy.Here's the catch however. To have "

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-67800945218114714042011-11-30T12:28:00.000-06:002011-12-01T11:01:52.171-06:00

Blog is back.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud_XPH6Eix4from the :55 to the 2:26. Near the 5.5f showing the nice strides of Regal Ransom and the #2 horse Rip Van Winkle, and the more upright nicely striding Colonel John. Avoid for the present the (seminal) Q as to why these enthusiastic nicely striding horses suffer quail death in the stretch. At the :55 mark they look like they'll be hard to

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-13477982398585232742011-11-25T12:54:00.006-06:002011-11-25T13:11:04.346-06:00

The Q whether there is such a thing. Can we see and identify stride efficiency in an actual race. Is there any difference at all between horse technique, jock technique. Are some of the jocks better than others in getting a stride on their horses. Analyze this!Take a moment to look at the following vid that shows superb closeup race riding from the 55 sec mark of the vid to the 2:26 mark. The

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-31205939855540933822011-11-24T22:22:00.002-06:002011-11-24T22:23:06.539-06:00

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-70972094532579827912011-11-23T11:05:00.006-06:002011-11-24T13:34:58.506-06:00

Ok, I got a little carried away with the Buck Mountain Band. Downgraded to Grade II. Former fiddler and son of a fiddler here and so we do recognize fiddling. The Buck Mountain fiddler shows nice technique and musicianship and in contrast to the others a nice ability to double note his fiddle--two notes simultaneously--compared to the rest. The Dublin fiddlers were good also. Tough choice

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-2419652174641518382011-11-20T12:44:00.014-06:002011-11-23T11:39:35.917-06:00

Mission at 4.5f for rider--stride efficiency. Excuse getting carried away with an obvious point. Same song, different players:Maiden race:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp78QsairFEExercise rider:http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=TXGwQe_QCnUAllowance:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrEASNT6jbM&feature=relatedMinor stakes:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkxwxhaVN_sGrade IIhttp://www.youtube.com/

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-87055145908758383982011-11-18T12:27:00.005-06:002011-11-18T12:47:15.882-06:00

Check out the saddle cloth. For we oldsters, Thirty Six Red circa 1990, Mike Smith on board apparently after a big win.Tom Ivers used to go nuts when the rider prior to M. Smith was riding Thirty Six Red on the front end of the Kentucky Derby on an utterly loose rein. By Ivers riders using a loose rein (rein with slack--and with 36 Red it was complete slack--never seen another rider do that

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-47281204211689593272011-11-17T12:29:00.005-06:002011-11-17T13:07:48.667-06:00

Again the Q, how did Rachel Alexandra become Rachel Alexandra? The earlier RA breeze video I'd posted shows near perfect rider work and, in terms of animal training, also near perfect trainer work, even if u might criticize the exercise physiology a bit.Right now the blog is on animal compliance, and hence animal training as we go around the race track. With one that has already been through

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-36354580866326043552011-11-15T12:12:00.006-06:002011-11-15T14:46:43.255-06:00

In the picture is worth a thousand words category, enlarge this one.For the experienced numerous things will strike u. The filly in the middle wears a bit with rings as cheek pieces and without caveson, the outside filly wears a "ring" bit with caveson. Why?If u look at the shoes, I must say if I were riding these horses at speed I'd be a little(very?) concerned about lack of traction and

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-83311922730550651712011-11-14T14:02:00.005-06:002011-11-14T14:11:53.452-06:00

Stumbled into that L. Bernstein vid and posted it as a e.g. of excellence. Would avoid, normally, the gay persuasion including L. Bernstein on this blog and something of that ilk would have to be fairly special to over come my prejudices. High intelligence is rare when u think about it, and the Bernstein vid may be a foremost e.g. Best 6 min ever possibly, of a human talking? Rivals, almost

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-9670412724948996072011-11-12T13:49:00.007-06:002011-11-13T14:56:55.035-06:00

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-74832318430029681762011-11-10T11:09:00.012-06:002011-11-10T13:41:06.349-06:00

Star of the BC at left.Some of the BC winners intrigued me enough that I did today spring the $3 for the BC PPs. The present topic here is training and performance. Do the PPs show anything that helps?My first interest was the BC Marathon won by Afleet Again at 41.60 odds. Surely there was some good training there, right? Vid. stolen from Left At The Gate. Does that make u want to get

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-89284833299650791702011-11-09T11:39:00.008-06:002011-11-09T12:13:20.774-06:00

Ring bit with spoons. Our worker is at the 6f heading for the 5f for a one mile 2m gallop. On board our jock is supposed to be doing everything right to perfectly accomplish this exercise so that when we're done we can go on to the next work as planned.Assuming the well trained push button horse, what's going on in the rider's mind as he passes the 6f?Two things actually. #1 transitioning from

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-22996746149802628762011-11-08T11:57:00.004-06:002011-11-08T12:17:11.255-06:00

The discussion was left with the Q: do the rider's "hands" make any difference in their ability to ride, change leads, and the other mechanical aspects of getting the horse around the track. Having myself ridden horses almost daily since the year 1999 I wish that this were true and that I'd be able to improve my riding merely through improved hand manipulation. My personal opinion is that the

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-90933769417003565532011-11-07T12:07:00.009-06:002011-11-07T12:32:52.032-06:00

I am taking a DVD chess course by Joshua Waitzkin who won the following chess championships:National Primary School.Elementary SchoolJr. High SchoolHigh SchoolU.S. CadetU.S. Junior Closed Chess Championships.i.e. Waitzkin won it all as a child in the early 1990s. A game at age 11 with World Chess Champion Gary Kasporov ended in a draw.We already know from the Scientific American study of genius

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-87329970538957279812011-11-05T18:47:00.015-05:002011-11-06T12:09:27.189-06:00

I did watch all the races. Misc. thoughts:B Wayne Hughes explaining his role in the success ofCourt Vision "All we did was buy him."Distorted Humor-Moscow Ballet win the BC Classic. Give me a break. Or perhaps, the ghost of Nijinsky II alive and well?There's a lot on Drosselmeyer's page that I have a history of disliking, starting with the grossly overpriced Distorted Humor. Redemption for Win

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-30876271618015575782011-11-03T22:31:00.008-05:002011-11-04T11:35:05.843-05:00

Avoid putting down too much hard earned cash on the RR Blog pick for winner of the BC Classic since this comes with absolutely zero following of the horses, and without looking at PPs, although I've seen a race and a vid here and there, and weirdly I am thinking this is an easy choice. RR BC Classic pick at bottom of page.Then there's this.http://www.oaklawn.com/horseman-bios/bios/

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-10451147101923031652011-11-02T13:52:00.009-05:002011-11-03T12:04:35.576-05:00

Interesting post on "The Rail" yesterday noting- to the effect- a $2000 yearling purchase just won the Melborne Cup, this years Arc winners cost something like $12,000 as a yearling etc. showing once again questionable correlations price to success. How to get the cheap horse into the winner's circle, or the expensive one for that matter, is the current subject.As to leads, a vid of Hamazing

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-91033576830070816562011-11-02T12:03:00.004-05:002011-11-02T12:35:47.878-05:00

As a BC aside, how unsurprising is the dull work put in by Havre Degrace on Monday with the horse's trainer immediately observing that, of course, was all "we" wanted? Readers of this blog know how little sympathy I have for these connections, from who you notice the absence in their interview of any concern for "their horse". With them its always to the effect "we might as well give this a shot

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-70687872802566173762011-10-31T11:33:00.002-05:002011-10-31T11:57:26.972-05:00

Decided to finish following the horse around the race track and then possibly a closer look at the Rachel Alexandra training and performances. I'd watched some Havre Degrace work over the weekend in contrast. From what shows there is a remarkable difference in the quality of the training. As an aside, was Havre moving all that well at the trot? The posts have followed the horse from entrance

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-40198743339262934052011-10-29T12:32:00.012-05:002011-10-29T15:36:51.890-05:00

Continue next posts with following the lead thing around the race track and a few other points related to on-track performance.Here, some thoughts on these RA vids. My awareness involved watching the RA races which, with exception of some really nice 2 yr. old efforts I underestimated at the time. Watching again there's really some exceptional wow stuff in those RA races. And so the Q, how did

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-19320632222896259082011-10-27T11:46:00.003-05:002011-10-27T11:50:08.416-05:00

Here's a different RA rider. In addition to the pains in getting the correct lead watch this rider steer Rachel along a clean path avoiding to the extent possible the hoof prints in the track. If ur on the horse each print, looking down at it, is deeper than the vid shows. Jocks are oblivious normally, but this rider is paying attention. This is just freaky good training and riding. Perfect

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-29793490876285508482011-10-26T23:23:00.001-05:002011-10-26T23:24:04.629-05:00

This is just great. More guess who.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwPFWX4OD_w&feature=related

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-68319036429497801212011-10-26T11:10:00.005-05:002011-10-26T12:30:17.081-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7za5GH86Jik&feature=relatedNeed the correct lead going into the Clubhouse turn or our horse is going to wind up going almost 3/4 mile on one lead part of it at speed--although in Exhibit A above, observe the expert job of ponying where the pony person permits Rachel enough shank for some left lead exercise at the outset. This is unusual since most of the ponys with

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-81121752601208047662011-10-25T10:32:00.013-05:002011-10-25T11:03:49.507-05:00

Was going to take this lead change thing around the track step by step and then noticed the Rachel Alexandra video showing lead changing, and, would we expect less than what shows from the horse of the year? Enlarged version on YouTube. Notice, particularly what occurs when Rachel gets the wrong lead down the stretch.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7za5GH86Jik&feature=relatedInstead of walking

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-71927680359228559882011-10-24T16:18:00.003-05:002011-10-24T16:57:22.046-05:00

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-55668118240710782702011-10-24T09:23:00.006-05:002011-10-24T11:28:55.803-05:00

Understanding necessity of getting correct leads is important (crucial to survival of the horse). Getting compliance from our horses and riders is another matter entirely. We know, they do, would be the plan.We want inside lead on the turns, outside lead on the straightaway in every gallop. The need for compliance in terms of injury prevention increases geometrically as speed increases although

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-46412373043978169042011-10-22T11:21:00.008-05:002011-10-22T12:52:44.400-05:00

A former chess master name Josh Waitzkin has out an instructional DVD that I am plowing through. And, OMG. How do talented people achieve their status? Waitzkin at some point mastered the intricacies of this game down to the nth detail. Its other than that Waitzkin possesses some magical mental ability to anticipate a correct combo of moves. Instead, confronted with a position, what does he

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-66306311149958323962011-10-20T10:34:00.003-05:002011-10-20T11:15:22.213-05:00

Although lead changing in races mostly looks automatic except for those occasions when one of them rolls down the stretch on the left instead of right lead, if you're on the ground, trust this, its other than that correct leads just happen.Four lead changes are required from our animal in every gallop of every day around the track. Calling our equine friends hob knobs of inconsistency would be

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-87565591388724360682011-10-19T12:38:00.004-05:002011-10-19T13:00:02.529-05:00

Flying lead change at left.The rider is starting the warm up at the finish line for take off on a 2m gallop at the 5f pole. Our good trainer is standing at the rail on a vantage point watching and calculating with the idea in mind, and something the trainer has drummed into the rider's head, to: equalize the leads.What does this mean? Let's remember in every work our interest is:injury

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-43667436311575245262011-10-18T11:03:00.005-05:002011-10-18T11:29:12.073-05:00

Well, naturally, the very day this blog notes my personal obsession with correct lead changes the filly Sarah Lynx wins the Canadian International at Woodbine on the wrong lead. Just to rub it in exact same deal with Miss Keller in the Woodbine E.P. Taylor stakes.Europeans, of course, and let's make the pertinent observation that nobody is saying a horse is unable to win on the wrong lead. My

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-30002712577697415362011-10-16T11:42:00.001-05:002011-10-16T11:43:34.086-05:00

This is great illustration of lead changing. Watch horse with green blinkers in the stretch!http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/21134540/vp/44916183#44916183

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-13736596825456572152011-10-16T10:30:00.007-05:002011-10-16T11:10:25.352-05:00

Alydar, outside besting Affirmed in the Arlington Classic. Notice obvious left lead.And, the horse raced 26 times. My understanding is that they never did get him to change leads in the stretch. Trainer: John M. Veitch. Yes, that John Veitch.What's the concern anyway? If Alydar can race on one lead, and the Europeans, how about our every day race horses?First, what is it that happens? 1 1/

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-53946696327498600922011-10-15T12:36:00.005-05:002011-10-15T14:27:51.573-05:00

This 2m gallop will go 5f to 5f. Last post indicated some rider/horse difficulties entering and going around the Clubhouse turn where the warm up is to occur. The point of these posts involves the subject--how do we get rider/horse to comply with our training both for performance and injury prevention. In a general sense, it ain't easy, and, as noted, it helps if ur trainer/owner understands

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-61019419538619529062011-10-13T09:06:00.002-05:002011-10-13T09:10:05.115-05:00

Training:Tues. 10/11: 2f riderless spurt + 4 times up and down hill fairly fast.Wed. 10/12 As always this horse is terror to trot/pleasure to gallop. 4 times up and down hill trot-gallop some at 15 sec/f. on his own. Decline letting out all the way as horse bucking and throwing legs. Need get under control before speed work, that should be just ahead.

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-41109515603219852582011-10-11T12:08:00.002-05:002011-10-11T12:12:04.898-05:00

Busy week. my other job. blog may be awol till Sat.Training:Sun. 10/9 light riderless + 10 min trot slow gallop.Mon. 10/10. What was planned as a take off night turned into a nightmare. Humid, low pressure and rider legs were in excruciating pain on this wide beast. Trotted for 5 min before I had to quit. Miscalculated the light again. Too dark to try again after some leg stretching. Light

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-337634836527798102011-10-10T11:01:00.008-05:002011-10-10T11:40:18.003-05:00

My purpose is to indicate on-track training in terms of performance. We have a two fold problem of 1. trying to get the horse to do what we want done, and 2. trying to get the rider to do the same.Avoid letting those Larry Zapeye UTubes with the hall of fame jocks at Santa Anita breezing horses by Zapp's camcorder making this look easy fool u. Look closely and observe plenty that should worry,

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-12433797065517020402011-10-08T10:53:00.006-05:002011-10-08T11:21:13.590-05:00

Pristine surface here and decent job by the rider, I guess, on a horse named Animal Kingdom. Get a better sense of it by enlarging and watching in Real Player. What's my criticism? Maybe this rider is just a little too disconnected from the horse for my taste. Unknown precisely, though this fellow appears as though he's more just along for the ride than directing each stride of the

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-35732962813643260982011-10-07T10:16:00.002-05:002011-10-07T10:39:57.131-05:00

Horse and rider have arrived on track near the entrance gap for a one mile 2 min. gallop. The rider has assessed track conditions which that are, shall we say it, cuppy in the extreme, but looking down the track about half way between the outer and inner rail there does appear to be a reasonable path somewhat free of holes left by horse's hoofs. The rider at this point computes a number of

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-46017492467263117992011-10-06T16:30:00.001-05:002011-10-06T16:32:21.525-05:00

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=brutal-winter-predicted-for-ushttp://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/55832/brutal-winter-ahead-for-the-mi.asp

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-74134602699384156532011-10-04T10:39:00.006-05:002011-10-04T11:24:18.971-05:00

Rider and horse through the gap, without incidence, and onto the race track. At the Woodlands track entrance was located near the 3/16th pole and we entered the track counterclockwise heading to the finish line on the grand stand side.Rider instructions are one mile of 2 min. gallop after the warm up. The trainer stands track side at a position permitting careful watching and evaluation with

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-20684330224584105332011-10-03T20:55:00.005-05:002011-10-04T16:45:28.038-05:00

The people loaded in the trucks likely were driven to the edge of town and shot. The ones in the rail cars. To Treblinka.

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-51775614911809366932011-10-02T11:57:00.007-05:002011-10-02T15:06:19.658-05:00

Would it be a natural for the stud farms to advertise re getting new owners in the sport. What about an add that an $11,000 sales yearling won the 2011 Jockey Club Gold Cup(and a $10,000+ yearling won the Arc)?In the "they're back" category, last eve I have the coincidence that a ray of sunlight was directly shining on some of those wild flowers some refer to as weeds which I deliberately let

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-11024011752666899352011-09-29T10:28:00.005-05:002011-09-29T10:54:04.829-05:00

We instruct the jock to do a 2 min. gallop, throw him up, presume girth tightness will be at comfortable level for the horse, equipment correct, and off they go down the path to the race track. At the Woodlands, where I rode, the path was flat out dangerous. Unknown to me what they were thinking when they built it. Rails close in, concrete abutments all over the place, a steep inclining hill

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-15283170352971546242011-09-28T10:53:00.006-05:002011-09-28T11:40:00.883-05:00

Everything that happens at the race track boils down to rider skill and the relationship of this characteristic of "skill" to the variables that dictate race horse survivability. Riding race horses is a delicate driving job where any veer of the steering wheel in the wrong direction can be a career ender. The rider is the proximate trainer of the animal, and it is untrue that you can throw "

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-77177336689100300052011-09-25T12:04:00.005-05:002011-09-25T12:23:37.945-05:00

Back on subject--performance--and today specifically getting our good horse to comply with our training.What, why and how--knowledge of technique(how to), knowledge of exactly what it is that we want our horse to comply to(what). " Why" involves, of course, both performance and injury prevention. Posted on this, good grief, in July, and then distracted by subjects of lasix and trainer failure

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-3952794846896083442011-09-21T10:52:00.013-05:002011-09-21T11:32:20.996-05:00

Assuming our good owner of the 10 unraced two year olds knows a thing or two about training an athlete, is there a way to communicate this to the trainer and get compliance given "the list"?To review, here again is "the list":1. Does the trainer make the mental connection between performance and the training program?2. Does the trainer have the ability--mental, intuitive, attention to detail,

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-63498602817170878782011-09-20T10:53:00.005-05:002011-09-20T11:17:05.832-05:00

Trainer of the 10 new two year olds has an overnight epiphany of being a "Charlie Whittingham" type trainer. Allusions/delusions of grandeur come to the fore with an entire shedrow of aspiring athletes. Next morning the trainer sets up the program and a problem develops immediately. The stable jock is nowhere to be found on the grounds. The stable exercise rider shows up at 8:15 a.m. during

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-30925679028635374652011-09-19T10:58:00.003-05:002011-09-19T11:12:10.510-05:00

10 new two year olds to train in the shed row, and reasons why our good trainer avoids exercise science. The list is getting longer. To summarize to date;1. Does the trainer make the mental connection between performance and the training program?2. Does the trainer have the ability--mental, intuitive, attention to detail, etc.--to carry out the program?3. Duplicating a rational training

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-17592503598062228972011-09-18T10:44:00.006-05:002011-09-18T11:29:58.410-05:00

Back, and will beg my own pardon as my attention Thurs. shifted from horses by an amazing and unbelievable website of such quality I feel, having read it, compelled to comment. We've been training and will post on that next week. The blog has deviated on occasion from our good subject, and again, while this is on my mind, I want to post on this today.Three years ago for kicks I'd decided to

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-20028537057515641542011-09-15T22:13:00.003-05:002011-09-15T22:22:06.716-05:00

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-25065038393805903762011-09-14T10:45:00.006-05:002011-09-14T11:13:52.437-05:00

We avoid making fun of people on this program, er...blog. Although, unavoidable on occasion. Someone had pointed out to me that Bill Belichick's (football coach--New England Patriots) many assistants all failed as head coaches--Charlie Weiss, Romeo Crennel, Josh McDaniels and Co. Each was unable to duplicate the master in differing venues.This supports the premise last post that carrying on

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-44028203547004947502011-09-10T11:58:00.003-05:002011-09-10T12:26:18.694-05:00

If T. J. Smith is leading trainer in Australia 33 years in a row, if Charlie Whittingham wins all of the big local stakes, or if Bob Baffert consistently cleans your clock, why would rational trainers avoid taking a step back from their own training program and analyze what these successful trainers are doing?In the NFL it's called copy catting, and you may safely bet your paycheck that this

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-53776357171022705422011-09-09T09:41:00.011-05:002011-09-09T14:43:51.961-05:00

That the training program may improve performance and prevent injuries is a no-brainer--it can. Will this program improve results in the afternoons?--an entirely different question! Can the good trainer of 10 freshly scrubbed two year olds that indeed makes a mental connection between training and performance expect to win more races in the afternoon?Let's note first that 25 years after buying

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-1032769821260476582011-09-08T09:45:00.005-05:002011-09-08T10:14:38.122-05:00

Our conventional trainer has his 10 new two year olds. What is the thought process in terms of exercise schematic and getting this bunch to the races?Two initial Qs in terms of making a "connection" between training and exercise science, one mental which is the thought process of the trainer, the other physical and actual:1. Does the trainer make a mental connection between exercise science and

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-9293386488644382752011-09-07T11:12:00.005-05:002011-09-07T11:48:34.213-05:00

You're a trainer. You've recruited this new deep pocket owner who, for reasons inexplicable, gives you ten two year olds to train all costing $20-25,000. What now, eh? What's the thought process? Why do you do whatever it is you're going to do with this fresh new bright eyed bunch?Add this, though--you're a (typical conventional race track) trainer (of the sort we see populating our back

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-51930408171924142292011-09-05T14:21:00.003-05:002011-09-05T14:34:54.900-05:00

Your typical horse owner? More muscles in their arms than in their head?I have yet to ever sit down with a conventional trainer to discuss the Q:Why do u train the way u train?Seems a redundant Q to me. I've seen what they do, and have pretty well already figured out they are without any rational reasons for what they do in terms of exercise physiology. Why waste any more time asking some

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-3723255447157144802011-09-04T11:07:00.006-05:002011-09-04T11:30:41.089-05:00

What shows in the photo is new. Pro athletes with muscles growing out of their ears conditioned to the nth degree in the year 2011 in the NFL. Without year round weight room work these players might be sacking groceries instead of populating NFL rosters. Take note, same photo 10 years ago likely would show lesser degrees of arm muscle development. This is new. And, has yet to permeate all

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-68707629988147037882011-09-03T10:59:00.003-05:002011-09-03T11:27:12.089-05:00

Way back when while watching my horse breeze Ivers style at the Woodlands here in KC a polite middle aged trainer came up to me, introduced himself, and said "I just want you to know you don't have to do all that to run horses." A point that has stuck with me through the years and bears repeating--"you don't have to do this--go through all this trouble--to run horses." This isolated incident

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-14759558554744305432011-09-01T12:22:00.004-05:002011-09-01T12:29:52.623-05:00

Do things ever changes at the race track? I had these same reactions of Bill Pressey comments last post simply watching horses run in my pre-owing handicapping days. And, then having your personal ticket to the backstretch by owning your first horse what you see in terms of training with an experienced eye does boggle the mind. Interesting that Pressey has these same reactions in year 2011, and

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-61726636005600382922011-08-30T11:07:00.002-05:002011-08-30T11:59:29.827-05:00

"Hamlet, Hamlet..." "Good my lord, be quiet..." "Why I will fight with him upon this theme Until my eyelids will no longer wag." "...Nay, and thou'lt mouth, I'll rant as well as thou." --Hamlet Act V, Scene I. Possibly literature's penultimate. And so, Pressey's self described"rant" last prior post is hardly new, as ranting goes. And, a comment from Australia. Welcome. We are T.J.

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-5010702271112733312011-08-28T15:08:00.002-05:002011-08-28T15:11:31.477-05:00

Without internet last two days. Later. The blog believes Plecher training is just under what's required for fracture resistance. More proof as Hilda's Passion (luckily) crosses finish line with a fracture. Uncle Mo--nice horse. Will be surprised given the training if Mo survived that without an injury.

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-27407828171650004742011-08-26T11:24:00.008-05:002011-08-26T11:44:11.324-05:00

Concerning lasix will have to agree to disagree with B. Pressey and the other anti-lasixs of various flavors from the mindlessly rabid anti-lasixs there since day one to those having various different and isolated legit reasons but who fail imho with using what's good for the horse as the starting point on the Q. I'm leaving the subject. I'd long ago tired of debating the subject. The proposed

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-62413094331479617832011-08-23T11:29:00.003-05:002011-08-23T12:06:58.883-05:00

"What passes here is hardly new..." --Mephistopheles in Goethe's Faust Just read B. Pressey's comment last post. Unable personally to relate EIPH treatment to "starts per horse" where I'd think the effect would be exactly the opposite. Reduction in starts I'd relate primarily to deficient training, questionable campaigning, where trainers are always looking for "the right spot" instead of

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-4527079040639032362011-08-22T09:53:00.002-05:002011-08-22T10:09:03.455-05:00

New mantra of the Jockey Club: Medication free racing. A worthy goal, to be sure. And also one promoted by those that have never themselves ridden a horse that suffers EIPH and listened to the coughing or been on the end of the shank of a bleeding horse. EIPH horses should not be racing, so the mantra goes. Never mind that this eliminates such as BC winner Pleasantly Perfect, and such

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-55421971619335468312011-08-21T11:18:00.004-05:002011-08-21T11:40:47.441-05:00

The final anti-lasix argument I'm able to think of: Integrity: This involves the lure of "medication free" racing. Sounds good to me. Seriously. Guessing the integrity argument involves the idea of racing without performance enhancers, avoiding turning our racing stock into veterinary pin cushions, and doing questionable and horrible practices to our horses. What's good for the horse and

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-50381255496363555312011-08-20T22:42:00.004-05:002011-08-20T23:06:15.676-05:00

Genetics (continued): Will lasix aided stallions turn the whole gene pool into a bunch of bleeders? Do certain stallions pass on the EIPH gene as per last post. Is there an EIPH gene? Anybody know? Therefore we eliminate lasix due to "genetics". Counterpoint: 1. There likely are no EIPH stallions that pass on their condition per Bob Baffert. If there are, name them. While we are unable to

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-25830032216501386592011-08-19T10:30:00.009-05:002011-08-19T11:22:21.960-05:00

(Edit--comment for Bill Pressey below) Genetics: in this regard there's some trouble figuring precisely the anti-lasix argument. Give it a stab. Best I'm able to fathom-- --Lasix permits EIPH horses to win Grade I races and become stallions. --EIPH being a heritable trait, these same stallions pass the EIPH gene to their off spring. --This geometrically increases EIPH in the population. -

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-72574177578654381252011-08-18T12:07:00.006-05:002011-08-18T12:30:54.756-05:00

To sum up my opinion--probably many appropriately trained, appropriately warmed up horses with adequate precautions that involve avoiding speed work in adverse weather conditions, taking note of slight EIPH developments and when they occur to tip toe intelligently through training etc. can race without lasix through long careers. The fly in the ointment is the number of perfectly good athletes

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-4260902903893375152011-08-17T10:18:00.006-05:002011-08-17T10:39:58.210-05:00

Amid the milieu and inconvenient details to the anti-lasix argument particularly regards the Q what % of non-lasix dirt horses bleed is our wide eyed year 2011 auction buyer bidding her horse up to a cool $30,000 with the old fashion notion if some particular malady would overcome that horse on its way to earning a small fortune-- such as e.g. EIPH --we'll as in days of old have to take it back

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-11143984453643917082011-08-16T10:56:00.005-05:002011-08-16T21:10:17.674-05:00

Txs to Bill Pressey for taking time to make anti-lasix argument in the comment. Sort of discussion that should be had, imho. My Q posed last post--is logical step by step analysis that separates the many myths and incorrect suppositions possible without knowing % of non-lasix USA dirt horses that would experience EIPH? Why, e.g. per Pressey, would u discuss non-lasix for graded races if the %

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36771459.post-58830766838604105072011-08-15T10:27:00.005-05:002011-08-16T10:53:18.803-05:00

Continuing right on. Anti-lasix argument: Genetics: For clarity defer this till after the next. The percentage of horses suffering serious bleeding is small: Call this the "Kenny McPeek theory". McPeek pontificated recently that few of his horses experience serious bleeding, and that--to sum up his ridiculous comments--he could live with a lasix ban and sending his horses out there with

rather rapidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517841195715154873noreply@blogger.com1