READERS
FORUM - PART THREE
Dear BYRH,
I can't believe how fast time flies. I intended mailing this check to you
the day we talked but once I reached my office (I manage 69 apartments) all
my plans for the day can change and I'm caught up in another world. This 3
day holiday has allowed me to catch up with other important events in my world.
I'm so thrilled to have you sending the video and newsletter for my daughter.
It requires a great deal of restraint for me not to tell her we've talked
and these things will be on her Xmas tree. She and her "horsey" friends quote
from your book whenever I'm with them so I know this will be a pleasant surprise.
Thank you very much for talking with me and sending this video and newsletters.
I hope some of us will be meeting you and talking with you again!
Sincerely, Jan McGraw Fort Collins, Colorado
What a neat mother you are! I enjoyed our chat and look
forward to hear about racing in Colorado from you and your daughter! Editor
Dear BYRH,
I just wanted you to know that I have read your book, "Backyard Racehorse"
and every other training book, pamphlet, video, etc. that I could get my hands
on. I took my written trainers' exam in Washington about 2 weeks ago and passed
with a 90%. I am very excited about the future. I quit my 40+ hour a week
job to make the horses my full time job. Maybe I won't make as much as I did
with my "well-paying" 8 to 5 job, but I will be a lot happier finally doing
what I've only dreamed of , and I feel that I owe turning this dream into
a a reality partly to you. I spoke with you a few times on the phone and between
you and your book, I know I will be a successful trainer. I know that I still
have a lot to learn about racing, but I do have the "tools."
The race meet at Playfair Track in Spokane, WA. starts in early August and
I have 8 horses to "coach". Three are my own and the rest are horses of clients.
One of their horses I raced at Playfair during this last Winter meet (something
new to this area). I raced him under a trainer who was an old endurance rider
friend of mine from way back. I learned many "tricks of the trade" from her
- some I may use, and some I did not like - but that is what makes a trainer
successful I think... ethics. I am hoping so much that I can trailer my own
to and from the track. I wholeheartedly agree with your "on farm" training
program. So much better for the horses! Sometimes the tracks do make it "difficult"
for a trainer to do that, I worked him according to your schedule. He has
done super so far, but he has yet to break his maiden (yet he's always "in
the money" with 3 seconds and 4 thirds). Under my "coaching," I will
do a few things different and I have confidence he will break that maiden!
I am sorry this turned out so long, but I must tell you that I could go on
and on. Last, would you know of some companies that sell racing equipment?
I'm sure having a difficult time finding them. Thank you so much.
Terry McDonald.
Terry, I'm thrilled and frightened for you at the same time. It's great that
you're living your dream but I always say "don't quit your day job!"
Oh my... you already did! If you send me your phone, address, etc. I can put
you on my trainers list and that may help you get clients. This business is
tough, as I'm sure you know. But I bet you can be true to the horses and still
do well. Remember, most horses don't win a single race! So don't take it personally
if the wins don't happen soon. Just don't break them down in the process of
training them to race. You'll save time and money if you follow the three
days off routine and your horses should continue to be fit and sound. When
racing, don't drill. Just race them every 8 to 12 or 14 days and keep them
happy in between. It works. Paul's Harmess shop in Colorado sells all kinds
of racing gear and so does the backside of most tracks. Good luck! Editor
Dear BYRH,
What a prompt reply! You're really on your toes! First of all, I want to mention
that my husband is also self-employed. He is the best Cement Finisher around
and he and his crew are in demand. So, we DO have a back-up.
(I could go to work for him, but that would lead to a d-i-v-o-r-c-e). I don't
know if you remember any of our phone discussions, but I have been a very
successful endurance rider and been at that for nearly 20 years! (Am I that
old?) I trained my first horse ( a Welsh pony) at 6 years old. I'm now 47.
Shhh! I felt it was now or never! I am constantly learning-about horses AND
life. I have learned from my own mistakes (I've made my share) and I have
learned from other people's mistakes. My worst nightmare would be to injure
or ruin a good horse as a result of some error or lack of attention on my
part. I have 3 of my own to start this year and 4 others belonging to 2 different
owners. It's scary, as you said. Quite a responsibility to say the least!
Yes, I did receive your last newsletter and read and enjoyed it. Again, thank
you and you will be hearing from me again.
Terry McDonald Oregon
As an endurance rider, you have a tremendous background
for training race horses. When they're young, give them the long slow build
up foundation for solid healthy good-boned animals. Just remember to phase
out the long slow gallops when phasing into speed. I had been galloping all
my horses six to ten miles when I started training years ago. I thought that
the more miles, the faster they go. NOT SO! Miles are great to develop the
young horse judiciously but I put my horses at a great disadvantage when they
went to the track. They needed miles to warm up and their bodies were trained
to go six to ten miles at 3/4 speed, not 1 mile fast. I had drilled the brilliance
of speed out of them with the long daily gallops! They were dead fit, but
slow. That's why I suggest in my book, to do long and slow with heavy weight
to build foundation and then transition into short and fast and light weight
to hone the speed. The horses don't have back problems and they have a solidly
built substructure, to endure the rigors of high-speed racing. Your horse
is knocking on the door to win. Meanwhile, he is bringing in checks and I
bet he can run frequently, just rebuilding between races. The temptation to
drill horses when they're just missing the win will generally wear them down
and tear them apart rather than make them sharper. Don't fall in that trap.
Look for cheaper company, racing luck (save ground), or be content being a
bridesmaid. A friend of mine once said the horse loses his best friend when
he breaks his maiden. It took me a while to realize the significance of that.
[It was a four year old who broke her maiden on December 31st. We were elated,
and ran and ran and ran her without ever winning or being close in another
race. She had gotten lucky on that day with other untalented horses. The time
of the race was the slowest o the meet. We spent much more than she ever earned
trying to get that second win.] I've since learned that if they're doing the
best they can... and they're at the bottom... and they show no ability to
win... retire them. Give them another profession and look for a new horse.
Only about three out of a hundred ever win a rac. The odds are against you,
so cut your loses and try again. I don't mean to be negative. Just realistic.
Your horse is bringing in checks and costing little to maintain at the farm.
Therefore he's worth the effort. Send me a picture with his win! Editor
Dear
BYRH,
Sorry I did not respond quicker when you sent me a copy of your book with
my suggestion on barrel feeders. My excuse is that I bought a bigger piece
of property (10 acres) for my horses and have been building a house. I never
did get my gelding to the track! We ended up making a falling horse out of
him for a movie and then a stuntman friend of mine bought him. I really did
not want to sell him but needed the money for my house. Plus, I have two
2 yr. old fillies that I have started and I think one of them shows more promise
anyway. I use one of my rope horses to pony them to the hills for conditioning.
What I like about where I ride is that I can make it as easy or as hard as
I want. Keep up the good work and enclosed is my check for a years subscription.
Ron Vlaming Aguadulce, Ca.
Good to hear from you, Ron. Since you've worked with
horses for years, I know training race horses will be a piece of cake. Remember...
talent is a gift. Keep your horses sound in the training process and if they
can't run, make them movie stars! Editor
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