READERS
FORUM - PART TWO
Dear BYRH,
Thanks so much for your reply. I have enclosed check for the Training Manual.
I am a novice breeder who got into racing after breeding my mare to another
TB to get a nice sporthorse, and then finding out the sire had raced and done
well. The result of that breeding, my 2 yr. old, took Best Colt at TOBA yearling
show so I am happy. My mare is now rebred to a son of Riverman. Please include
me on your mailing list and thanks again.
Loretta Tocco, Troy MI
Your story is typical of the way many pleasure horse
people get into racing. Instead of going for ribbons, perhaps you'll soon
be dreaming of winning the Derby! Keep us informed! Editor
Dear BYRH,
Please enter my subscription to BYRH. When I received the book for Christmas
I received back newsletters through the summer 1996 (issue #8). So as not
to miss anything I'd love to have any that have come out since then. Your
book is wonderful and has really helped me. I am a (struggling) owner/trainer
and I ship in at Fairmont Park in Collinsville Illinois. One of my biggest
challenges has been finding exercise riders to get on my horses. My horses
are well-broke and fit, but I usually have only one or two so I'm never anyone's
TOP ( or even medium!) priority. Racing starts in 5 days (3/29) and we're
going down for a breeze on Thursday. Hopefully we'll accomplish it. I would
like to know if there are any BYRH- list trainers at Fairmount (or anywhere
in Illinois!). Your theories and techniques are so close to what my husband
and I have been trying to do with our horses that it's amazing! The "at the
track" part has been very difficult for me and your book makes me think maybe
I can do this. Thank you.
Sincerely, Holly Steinmeyer Staunton, Ill.
If it's any consolation... small trainers at the track
have the same problem when trying to arrange for riders. The one or two-horse
outfits are last on the list. My friend Linda Poulos, the late Ernie Poulos'
daughter, has the same complaints on the backside of Texas tracks..."I had
a stable of two and the rider would come at 10:15 a.m. The track closes at
10:30! Tell me how I can do it?!" Of course it's even more of a tragedy to
be hung up when YOU GOT UP AT 4 A.M. AND TRAVELED 2 HOURS to get there! I
can only advise you to threaten them with death - just kidding! - if they
don't show up, and paying them more than the going rate if they do. (Linda
bribes them with chocolate cake!) I hear you may have even bigger problems
- no racing at all in Illinois for three months! I hope that will be resolved
before the industry goes broke there! Editor
Dear BYRH,
It was great to meet you at Equitana! I especially loved your book, which
I read as soon as I got home. I know I'll be in Florida this year sometime
to visit my mother in Venice. I give you a lot of credit for what you are
doing - the racing industry is so shoddy that I hope you will continue to
have the energy to try to change it. I had picked up a couple of your newsletters
and forwarded then to a a former client of mine in NJ. Their young filly came
off the track depressed and hurting. We worked with tham - touch, diet, vet,
chiropractic, etc. - and after 5 or 6 months she was healthy and happy and
becoming a pleasant riding horse. Her husband decided to send her back to
the same trainer at the track. I could hardly believe it. See you soon.
Barbara Stender, Summerville, NC.
Barbara has worked with Linda Tellington-Jones and feels
that the program is great for retraining, relaxing and rehabilitating horses.
Editor
Dear BYRH,
I just finished reading your book, Backyard Race Horse, and was very impressed.
I've recently purchased a 5 yr. old mare in foal to Burts Star by Star DeNaskra.
She's a dream! Really nice to work around. Her name is "We call her Ginea."
She's to foal April 14th so we've been riding her lightly. I'm 56 and I'm
going to take my trainers test at Suffolk Downs. I used to exercise horses
at all the local tracks 20 years ago, and am just now getting back into it.
I grew up with saddle horses. My father used to trade horses. Janet, would
you know any of the questions that would be on the Trainers Test? I sure would
appreciate it if you could tell me some of the questions I might have to answer.
I'm enclosing 2 photos of my mare and will be looking forward to hearing from
you. I too would only ship in to races and then back to the farm. I went to
Suffolk last week and every horse on the Program was on Lasix and Bute. I
don't understand it, it's not right.
Respectfully, Bruce Olson, Whittinsville, MA.
I'm excited for you, Bruce. I have faith that you
know what you're getting into. You've had the backside experience, so you
just need to ship in and win! You should read all the rules and regulations
in the front of the Condition Book. They're like the "Ground Rules"
at each particular track. The local HPBA office can help you with the rules
of racing for the state you'll be in, and also advise you as to the idiosyncrasies
of the area. Bute and Lasix are contraindicated according to the article Dr.
Hengemuehle wrote in issue #5 of the Backyard Race Horse Newsletter: "Countless
scientific studies have shown that furosemide (Lasix) effectively reduces
pulmonary hemorrhage in horses with EIPH (bleeders). When phenylbutazone(Bute)
is given along with Lasix the pulmonary artery pressures rise back up to the
values seen prior to giving the Lasix; it's as if you never gave the Lasix
if you give Bute with it." Since this has been proven scientifically, you
have to wonder why vets and trainers do it. Editor
Dear BYRH,
Hi I'm the college student who promised to send you a check for a copy of
your book Backyard Race Horse. Here's the check! I have to talk to the President
of my Pre-Vet Club about having you come and speak. Hopefully she'll like
the idea. If not, I'll probably be going to Colonial Downs when you're there.
I'm so glad I met you, because now I know that my ideas are on the right track.
I so badly want to be in the racing business, but for now I'm making my parents
happy by attending school. You wouldn't happen to know anyone who needs an
exercise rider in Virginia? Well, I have to go and sleep before my 8 am class
tomorrow. Thanks again!
Jessica Porter Lafayette NJ
You'll be happy you got your degree, Jessica. A good
education at vet school will provide you with a valuable foundation for understanding
how to keep your horses sound and happy. Perhaps one day you'll be able to
own, train, ride and be your own vet! Good luck and keep in touch! Editor
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