READERS FORUM - PART ONE

Dear BYRH,

Enjoyed our latest newsletter immensly. The stories are so very informative as well as entertaining. I found myself laughing my eyeballs out at some of the things we put ourselves through. I can easily relate to your red filly as I have had some special memorial moments of my own, although not quite as dramatic as your escape artist!

I am proud to announce that my three year old filly, Champagne Sail, is no longer a maiden as of April 22! Words can't express what it feels like after three long years of trials and errors. This might not have been had I not been encouraged by you! Imagine this-not only did she win by 11 lengths, she must have ran a race before we got to the track because my brand new trailer mats were in shreads and she was soaked in sweat from her nervous antics when I pulled her out. How can I teach her to relax? I'm at my wits end, trying to get her to calm down. She also ran another race going home. My poor trailer looks like a tazmainian devil has been loose in it every time we make a trip. I've got her on B-1...vet suggested it to me...but it ain't workin! Anyone got any suggestions?

You'll just have to excuse me for crowing because I'm so happy I can't hardly stand it. We won back again April 28! She came out of these races so unbelievably good! I figured I better go ahead and run her again before the meet ended because I'm sure she won't do very much if we try to ship to River Downs-two hours or to Thistle Downs-three hours-versus 40 minutes to Buelah Park. I'm sure she'll be a better horse if she'll just figure this one out!

I so much enjoy the newsletter and look forward to getting it. I don't know how you manage to get it all together but I want you to know that the info is invaluable and greatly appreciated by all of us backyard horse people. Keep up the good work...Our industry needs more people like you! Are we having fun yet? You bet we are!

Take care

Paula Weaver
Stoutsville, Ohio

Gosh, I love to get letters like that! When you have done all the training yourself and lived and dreamed with the horse then the win is so much more rewarding! Congratulations!!!!

A comment on the shipping problem...I have had horses like that and making the trailer as safe as possible is your first priority. Then just hope that as the filly matures and learns the routine...hauling and racing and going home again...she'll learn to accept the ride. Remember...she is only three...show horses may take years to get the routine down...but we always expect so much more so much sooner from thoroughbreds! My problem filly shows improvement in the trips and then at times will have a relapse...I still run her and hope that eventually she'll improve. The fact that your horse won in spite of what you consider a rough trip is impressive. Do you think an older stablemate accompanying her would help? or a goat? If you're worried that the trip is too long to the other tracks, consider taking her the night before...of course, some horses won't eat in a strange place for a day or two, so you may have another problem. Also keep in mind that the ride may be what mentally sets her up for the good run. Stage fright isn't always bad and there have been horses that wouldn't run unless they had a trailer trip to make them anticipate the race.

I think you're on the right track but for heavens sake don't stop racing her because the track is two or three hours away...if your filly is right and sound you've got to run her...when she's not then give her down time. I remember hauling a horse to Tampa one day and getting stuck in a traffic jam. I had a two horse trailer and a wagoneer pulling it. As we sat in the traffic, the filly was so upset and nervous that the whole trailer and car was shaking. This went on for over an hour. I was sure the filly would be a mess when I finally got to the track. She was ...she was dripping and her eyes were rolling. We hosed her down and got her quietly into a stall and let her rest a little before the race. I almost considered scratching her because she had seemed so upset. But then I just couldn't...not after all that effort....and she seemed physically sound. She ran and won easily that day! It taught me that you never know what each animal is capable of and horses are tough. I will never knowingly run an unsound horse but by the same token, I'll not scratch without a real legimate reason! That attitude really paid off the day we won!

My advice to you is to keep doing what you're doing and hope that your filly eventually starts to settle in. Make sure that on the off days at the farm you give extra electrolytes and plump her up for the next race...you shouldn't have to do any training at all if you're running her about every ten days. The races keep her fit and she recovers in between them by being turned out for a while each day! Again...congratulations maybe you've already won another race by this time! Good Luck! -editor

Dear BYRH,

I have been meaning to write for forever!! Well-finally! I had to send you this picture as it is an historic one in our lives. First win!! Both Patti and I could not take the trainers test, so say the Stewards, has to do with conflict of interest. Anyway, she took the test and actually aced the whole thing! She didn't miss a single question! I was proud of her, and in truth, would have probably missed something.

You have really been an inspiration for me. I've learned so much from you.What can I say? I would have loved to have spent more time with you but it was not meant to be. Perhaps another time.

I finished my four and a half furlong training track last year. Have been training on it ever since. Big job though, what with harrowing and watering the track before each outing (3 times a week). My rear is dragging most of the time.

We have twenty two horses at present, six in training. My problems are keeping an exercise rider and being able to keep going on the horses. I'm constantly having to back off for one reason or another. I bet you never heard that before!

I'm like chicken little...every day I wake up to a new world. I can't turn around without learning something. I love learning though-what a great life!

Well, take care- and stay happy!

Dale Shirley, DDS
Tucson, Arizona

Dear Dale,

Boy you ought to feel guilty...I didn't hear from you for the longest time and wondered if you had given up your goals. What a thrill to see your first win picture ! Maybe by now you have had many more! While keeping an exercise person is hard, perhaps you can look to the hunter-jumper stables for a rider. I have found that Cross country or hunter riders have a good seat and generally a lot of horsemanship behind them. Since you only need them a few times a week, maybe you can entice them with a little more pay. On the off days you and your wife can probably handle the ground work.

As far as the constant backing off...remember you are forming right now, the structure for a lasting racing career. The time off given to a joint until it is right again, in this formative age, (24 to 36 months) is absolutely worth the inconvenience. You are allowing the horse to rise to his capabilities in relation to his own structure. Some precocious youngsters are ready to run at two...their structure will tell you...if you don't mask the signs with medications and leg wrapping, But generally you can't fool Mother Nature and are smart to wait until mind and body come together with a sound maturing animal. How the horse handles the works-both mentally and physically- will tell you when he is ready. And when he is right-run him! When he's not-give him time! The proper early development, judiciously done with a talented horse, will give you a runner for years! -editor

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