READERS FORUM

Thanks again for the private seminar. I had a grand time. It was a real confidence builder for me. Enclosed are copies of the vet bills for a four year old filly who raced and won at an allowance level at Oaklawn Park, then went to Louisiana. She subsequently wasn't working "up to snuff" and these are the vet bills prior to picking her up. The trainer is actually a pretty good guy (an owner-turned-trainer out of frustration) but was obviously sucked into the race track "treatments" for the "not right horse". Upon arriving home, a vet friend (who is a race track vet) diagnosed the filly as having a bilateral sublimation of the sacroiliac with a poor prognosis of racing again. Anyway, you will enjoy the bills. Hope your trip to the races was good. Keep me posted on everybody: horses, friends and family. Too bad all race horses can't participate in your program. They would all be happier and healthier.

Leslie Hubbell
Stroud, OK

Some horses are not meant to be race horses. They can't hold up to the high-speed stress on the system. That doesn't mean they can't be useful elsewhere There's NO NEED TO BREAK THEM DOWN in the process of finding out about their abilities. Maybe your next one will be the ONE! Editor

Dear BYRH, Am I glad I was able to meet you! Thanks so much for letting me be a part of the seminar. It was very informative. I had no idea there was so much involved in making a day at the races work! And to think this happens 365 Days a year at so many tracks and farms! It's mind boggling! It must have been very satisfying to watch J.R.'s Belle place second. I'm sure you would've been happier with the win, but you must have felt vindicated after the bettors sent her off at 35-1. I found your book informative and enlightening. You're truly gifted. To be able to train, teach, write and articulate your thoughts in a manner that's easy to understand - wow! The book will certainly benefit the industry.

Ben Creiger
California

Dear BYRH,

I can't describe how excited I was when I received your latest newsletter. Jill & I are now married and go by the name "Someday Ranch." We have 17 acres crossed fenced, 3 miles out of town of Davenport, Washington; a nice 200' x 110' Arena; barn and house.

We went to Vancouver, BC three springs ago to see you. Wished we would have had more time at your seminar.

We have tried your method with our horse "Socks" from age 2 to track by 3 years old, but the trainer convinced us to leave the horse at the track. Socks started to bow 3 days before her first race, so we stopped her for 90 days and then decided NOT to go on with her, as Jill felt she could be a nice riding horse. We have had her bred to a young son of Seattle Slew.

Our second horse was a full sister to Socks, but we were convinced by our trainer to let her have her at the track and show us why they need to be at the track with her. She ran twice but could never turn the corner. Financially, these 2 attempts soured us.

I'm looking at a 4 year old that's already raced at the new track "Emerald Downs". Her cheapest claimer was $3200, I can buy her for $2000. Presumably she's sound.

Now I've convinced my trainer that we are going to try running from the ranch!!! I would compromise to running, bringing the horse home, and then taking her back three days before the race. The trainer is now concerned about her liability if a drug test is performed and drugs are found. I am NOT going to use drugs on the horse!!! It's interesting how trainers will use just about any excuse to keep the horse on the track and in the stall!

A friend of mine has a 5 year old he has run since being purchased as a yearling. The interesting point is that he is the THIRD trainer but he was able to get the horse off Lasix and off bute. He races at the bush tracks. I like this guy. He doesn't track the horse in between. He just round pens or keeps them limber. This reminded me of some of your ideas. We are presently breeding one of our thoroughbreds to Paints. We have one on our grounds. Sorry about the rambling in this letter. I will quiz you on some topics as they arise with our new purchases and training. I'm so confident in your methods. I know I can find what works for us and our farm, and help others to see the opportunities!

Frosty & Jill Freeze
Someday Ranch
Davenport , WA

It was great hearing from you! How can I forget a name like Frosty Freeze! Sometimes you have to go through a situation like you experienced in order to find out what works. Since you've now experienced having a horse at the track, you are more willing to look for alternative practices. That should cut costs and help your horse remain sound. Many horses adapt well to track life but it is easier when they are older. A young horse needs free movement to build strong bones and tendons. BEING IN A STALL 23+ HOURS A DAY IS DETRIMENTAL to the development of an athlete! We know judicious concussion is how stronger bones are formed. The longer a young horse has to run, frolic, and graze... the better he will be BOTH MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY. Remember that most horses are not talented enough to win. So even though you do everything right, you might not win a race. But you can then retire your horse to another field. You'll be better off financially and your horse will be better off physically with you handling the early prep work and having a trainer help you when you need the track. Good Luck! Editor

Dear BYRH,

Bravo to Linda Paulos for her article on pony people!! I never knew such a publication such as yours existed. Needless to say I was very excited and read the wonderful article over and over again. I myself am a "Pony girl" and through a lot of perseverance I finally attained my life-long goal. You see... my grandmother (she's very young) worked on the backside ten years and my earliest memories are riding a TB Pony in the tie ring and along the wall (far end) - closely watched of course. And then I was hooked!!

Some people aspire to be lawyers, trainers, jockeys, CEO's, etc., but for me it's always been TO PONY!. We are truly the "unsung heroes" on the backside amongst the grooms, hotwalkers, gallop boys and jocks. For each holds a very important niche. I learned that on my way from the bottom up. Quietly observing. And I was fortunate enough to be "taken under the wing" of my dearest friend (to this day) Luis Holguin. He taught me about leg care, the right way to groom and to bathe, how to handle tough horses, and every thing that applies to ponying eventually.

Two years later I was given the opportunity to pony. My old friend, Carlos S. was nice enough to purchase my first pony on the condition that I work hard, accept criticism, and assume full responsibility for my pony. Through love and patience, I won his trust (he was head shy and abused) and got him to relax and concentrate on his work. My first week was great... and terrible. Some days he'd shy sideways while I was ponying a baby, or else rear up when not allowed to chase after the worker I'd just turned loose!! He was thoroughly broke. He just came from a year of turnout coupled with previous abuse. But I wasn't surprised.

I earned my pony license through this magnificent animal who settled back into the work and learned to love me back and act like the pro that he truly was! You will be happy to hear "Paloma" (which means 'Dove' in Spanish) is now the full time pony for Mel Stute in the morning (my job) and occasional pony at the races.

I would like to extend a special thank you to Mel Stute and all his barn. I am grateful for their guidance, patience and the chance Reynaldo and Mel took on a very determined, up-and-coming Pony Girl. Thank you very, very much! You men are a class act. I'll never forget you or Ralph. Look for my pony. He's the big gray with the heart on his shoulder and the pep in his step! And to all you Pony People, I would love to correspond with any of you. My address is: 3205 Hope Street Huntington Park, CA 90255

Christina Garcia
Huntington Park, CA

Congratulations Christina on having a job that you love! You're very lucky to get up each morning and look forward to your day! Your positive attitude is really needed on the backside where we sometimes have terrific highs and horrid lows. I hope you continue to enjoy your job and help the horses! Editor

Dear BYRH, Sorry it has been so long but we have really been busy getting the farm going. I would love to sit down with you and tell you all the wild stories of how we got all our horses - especially Teach the World. I bred a mare to him five years ago and got a filly named Grasshopper. She's 16.2 and absolutely beautiful! I still have my old brood mare that we're going to breed to Teach for the first time this year. We can't wait to see what these two will produce! I have two 3 year old fillies from a stallion named Border Guard, who's a son of Nureyev. Then there is Anna Mar. Her sire is Hermitage. Wow! What a filly! That's all I have produced... fillies. Now that I've found the right help, I know we're on our way. We would love for you to come up for a visit or to put on a clinic. We've talked about that forever. I'm looking forward to your newsletter and your new books.

Jan and Rick Stanford
Rutherfordton North Carolina

Go to Issue #9, Reader's Forum Part 1
Go to Issue #9, Reader's Forum Part 3

Go to Back Issues index