Have a look at this Finger Lakes Trainer Listing......

[helen in FL]

Um yeah, because we are all beginners here with no racing experience... Fingerlakes is a who 'nother ball game when it comes to the good souls who train there who just can't catch a break. I bought a mare from there from photo only and was able to ride her until I was seven months pregnant and as big as a house.

By boasting about all of the tracks you have gone to leads me to believe you have as much maturity as my two year old daughter. But then again, I don't know you and can only comment what I see.

[camar711]

I would venture to say the lip chain use here is standard safety procedure for that barn. Judging by the conditions, I'd say it's a good idea. If the mare decided she was feeling good it could turn into a disaster should the handler lose control on that slippery looking surface. And for what it's worth, even if she did feel her oats a bit, it doesn't mean she's not a sweetheart. It just means she's a trained athlete that's probably feeling good. These are horses, they are not predictable machines.

[Barn 31 T-breds]

The only time a horse needs a chain through their mouth is if they are vicious, studdy, crazy, or as hot as hell.

The problem is, nowadays horses get lip chains as a matter of routine rather than a matter of necessity.

Years ago, horses very rarely got lip chains to get saddled. I think the main reason is that grooms were both bigger in those days and more experienced. A case could be made that horses were calmer and more manageable, too.

At any rate, most 5' 6" mexican grooms can't handle the horses of today without some help. Somewhere along the line, the use of the lip chain became a given, without any regard as to whether or not the horse needs it.

I try to prevent lip chains unless necessary. If I think a horse can be handled without it, I instruct the groom not to use one.

I don't think the use of a lip chain is automatically a rogue's badge as it once was.....

[Crystal]

I would agree. As a groom at the track we were always instructed to use a lip chain when the vet was there. Unless it was a stone cold quiet, or tranqed horse. For safety reasons (for the vet) during poking and prodding, as well as for time saving. Love it or hate, it is done everywhere.

[Jenarby]

Wow Pokey....that's a pretty broad accusation.
I stick a chain in the mouth of any horse I have that likes to play with the chain. I personally think a snaffle bit can be harsh in a horse's mouth if the handler is rough. I have several horses that love to mouth and play with it. Are you thinking of a lip chain? I'd certainly rather see someone walk out with a chain over the nose of a horse rather than getting dragged around.
Jessi does listings for CANTER, she is also a trainer. It is best to get a nice shot of a horse, who is well stood up in order to find the horse a good home. If that means sticking a chain IN their mouth for a few minutes to help keep the attention of a fidget, then so be it.
Most of the time when I take a listing (I'm a CANTER volunteer too) it is in the afternoon or evening. These guys aren't used to coming out at that time, standing patiently and then jogging off on the pavement....and behaving.

[kezeli]

A racehorse is a RACE horse not a house pet. A lip chain is much more severe that a MOUTH chain which is what is seen in the photo. It's less of a deal that a mis-placed nose chain that causes the horse to be poked in the eye with the side of their halter!

[Skipitgirl]

Thanks for the "advice" Pokey, but I dont train race horses, or race any I have.

[foothillsequine]

I have to say, that I think this thread has run amok. Let's try to start the New Year without bashing folks. Pokey expressed an opinion, to which he/she is entitled. Others have done the same, can we leave it at that now?? Thank you.

[pokeyman]

Wow! Just finding out about all the talk on here now....

I expressed my opinion having been around a lot of tracks. I have found that nose chains are the most common for fillies.

I shared my experience so nobody gets hurt. I know that there are a lot of first time OTTB looking to adopt due to the inexpensive price.

I have personally shipped (for free my own gas money) a OTTB horse from the track to new home for CANTER (16 hour trip) to make sure a sane horse evaluated by CANTER staff got a home where they were going to be safe. I had zero connection to this horse other than I had a trailer; raced at the track so could access backside; and lived close by. I also inspected horse for the woman (this OTTB was free and an emergency case to be left).

Horse was brought out on a loose lead. Hand walked and jogged. I asked to see him being groomed and handled in stall. Horse loaded and shipped like a champ.

I stand by my comments that a mouth chain on a filly, in this circumstance, is a red flag (to me) and that anyone looking to adopt should try to view horse in person. If everyone thinks those are outrageous comments that I can't help you.

I have seen racehorses (both mares and geldings) ridden bareback around shedrow; cotton leads attached to halters, etc. Not all racehorses are crazy...but some just are. Some of it could be environment but why then does the same horse next to them in the same environment let anyone love on them while another viciously attacks or charges. Unfortunately, temperament is not at the top of most breeders list when breeding racehorses. I won't own a bad tempered broodmare but these horses are out there.

In fact, my niece who lives halfway across the country decided to adopt a TB near her with an ad similar to this one. Horse almost killed her and her mother. Broke too many bones to list and charged and tried to attack while in stall. The mother is an experienced horsewoman and the kid (college age) is working on her A pony club rating.

However, I will also add that I expect my horses to go on to sport/pleasure homes after their race careers are over. They arrive to the track with manners and it is made clear to the trainer that they are expected to maintain those manners while at the track. I am proud that at least 2 of my retired racers are in homes with young teenage riders taken right off the track.

So, take my comments for what they are worth.......

[clh]

Guess you all think Zenyatta's trainers and grooms need to be fired too since they use lip chains, mouth chains, etc....