Horse Racing Learning Center
Introduction
As with all sports, there is a lot to learn about horse racing. How old should a horse be before it runs it's first race? How are races categorized and what do the various terms used in horse racing mean? How does betting work? How does training make a difference to the performance of the horse and what basic training methods are available? Is there more than one kind of horse racing? You will find answers to all these questions in this section.
Caring for Thoroughbreds for Peak Horse Racing Performance
Thoroughbreds, which are at the center of international horse racing, need continuous professional expertise and high quality resources. Most owners, who have just one or a relatively small number of horses, need to keep them at farms. Selecting a place for your beloved and invaluable horses can be taxing.
Here are 5 top factors, in decreasing order of importance, to keep in mind when choosing a farm for a thoroughbred.
1. The track record of a horse stabling farm matters above all else. Everyone in the business of providing stables and other facilities for race horses is given to making tall claims, but who wants to make a guinea pig out of their most prized possession? Check carefully about other horses which have been cared for at each of the farms you consider, and insist on reliable referrals from the horse racing world.
2. Emergency veterinary care matters, and should be the second most important factor for you to take in to account. Injuries and heat exhaustion are both common, and need quick and effective responses wherever your thoroughbred may be. Most farms have basic veterinary facilities, but resources to deal with medical emergencies can vary quite a bit between farms and companies in this business. Many horse racing careers are aborted prematurely because injuries and physiological damage are not attended to in time.
3. Good farriers have become scarce in our industrialized and urban times. Hoof and foot care facilities should rank third from the top when you make a final choice of where your horse or horses will be housed. Errors and negligence in maintaining hooves take heavy tolls in horse racing!
4. Take a personal look at the stables before choosing a farm. It is unlikely that a farm which passes muster on the first three counts will have unhygienic and cramped quarters for horses, but it is always best to make sure. Fly control, fire-fighting facilities, and natural lighting are some of the special points to be assess.
5. Finally, the ambience, quality of pasture, and training facilities should be conducive for your thoroughbred to be in the right frame of mind, never starved of top quality nutrition, and be trained with the best resources.
Living conditions make crucial contributions to a thoroughbred’s career. There are humanitarian reasons as well to ensure that your horse is able to live well, cared for professionally, and that it has all the resources it needs to perform to its full potential.
