Missing Something?

[Ramona]

Have a gelding that started today. (He worked w/2horses out of the gate in 47.0. He has galloped head and head with other horses although he pulls to go.) He broke flat footed out of the gate (1-hole) with the jock on his mouth. He shot up to 5th with the jock standing up on him and there was 2-hole the jock could have taken him through. but instead he eased him in the stretch. He said the horse has no mouth, refused to rate and tried to run off with him. How would one know how a horse was going to run in a race. I believe a horse can learn to rate with racing experience, but then again some horses never rate...Opinions on this subject?

[cng]

Have a gelding that started today. (He worked w/2horses out of the gate in 47.0. He has galloped head and head with other horses although he pulls to go.) He broke flat footed out of the gate (1-hole) with the jock on his mouth. He shot up to 5th with the jock standing up on him and there was 2-hole the jock could have taken him through. but instead he eased him in the stretch. He said the horse has no mouth, refused to rate and tried to run off with him. How would one know how a horse was going to run in a race. I believe a horse can learn to rate with racing experience, but then again some horses never rate...Opinions on this subject?

There's a reason they call them "pinheads". You don't teach a horse to rate in his first out. Let him run. If he has no mouth and was trying to run off with him how did he ease him up? The first out is the most important in their lives - the jock may have taught a bad lesson that will take a long time to overcome. Never use the jock again or the trainer if he can't see it.

If, Indeed the horse cannot be controlled - why was he entered? Sounds like the typical pinhead excuse for being chicken.

[LB]

There's a reason they call them "pinheads". You don't teach a horse to rate in his first out. Let him run. If he has no mouth and was trying to run off with him how did he ease him up? The first out is the most important in their lives - the jock may have taught a bad lesson that will take a long time to overcome. Never use the jock again or the trainer if he can't see it.

If, Indeed the horse cannot be controlled - why was he entered? Sounds like the typical pinhead excuse for being chicken.

I agree.

[zinn21]

He just needs racing experience. The first start from the rail is as tough as it gets. I have scratched when drawing the rail first out. Don't push the panic button. Sounds like he has ability. Keep him sound and run him. He'll learn.

Also, very few jocks will take a first time starter through a hole unless they know the horse very well. Most barely ride a first time starter especially if they note a hint of greeness..

[Ramona]

Thanks, that's what I thought...the horse did nothing wrong from start to finish except try to run. I have read many a stats on the way a horse performed in a race and this is the first time I have ever seen "horse would not rate-eased in the stretch. You always worry that a horse will pull a wingding and pray it gets the jock around the track safely,but in this case I hope the horse survives the bad lesson he learned.

The horse came out of the race good physically and went right to the feed bucket.

[madelyn]

Something that some trainers do, with first time starters or using a jockey for the first time, is have that jockey get on the horse in the morning once or twice before race day. It allows the jockey to assess the horse and lets the trainer see that horse going with that rider.

[Joltman]

I wholeheartedly agree with Madelyn. Regardless of the who the jockey is, if he is familiar with the horse after a few works, he's less likely to question what's going on. I agree too that the horse needs to be given his head first time out. If he makes the lead he can get brave and the rail is still the shortest way around the track. If he can get clear he may be more likely to relax, rather than dukeing it out.

I might give him a couple more gate works - get him more at ease there. The gate guys would probably appreciate it as well. Some riders are better gate riders - find one.

jm