Pony Horses

[Bast]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4vXCr-n8aI&feature=youtube_gdata

Earlier, the Paulick Report linked to a video showing the 1904 Gravesend Handicap. There are no pony horses leading the starters.

When did the use of pony horses to lead horses to the post begin?

[kimberley mine]

I've never seen them outside the USA (although I only went to the races in Argentina once and don't remember so well).

Not in Aussie, not in NZ, not in South Africa. On the TAB screens you don't see them in Europe.

[griff]

maybe that's because they don't have a problem eating thier horses whan they are through racing???

griff

[Bast]

I've never seen them outside the USA (although I only went to the races in Argentina once and don't remember so well).

Not in Aussie, not in NZ, not in South Africa. On the TAB screens you don't see them in Europe.

It's definitely a North American practice, but I'm curious when it began, and how.

[Jorge]

Perhaps various powerful stables came with the idea to deal with
certain difficult horse(s) and then it became some sort of fashion in the eyes of their rivals, so these "chaperones" came to life for less strict valid reasons.

[oleos93]

From what I understand is in not up to the owner and or trainer even if they WANT a pony horse to accompany their horse?

[Crystal]

perhaps that varies track to track, but we never had a problem letting them know we didnt need a pony.. we also didnt get a bill a few days later.

[Sailor Kenshin]

While I have no idea when escorts became the thing I enjoy watching them. Frequently the lead ponies are more 'colorful' than the racers.

[oleos93]

I remember a long time ago there being pony horse racing....do they still do that anywhere?

[Crystal]

Sailor, In Japan all of the horses are turned out beautiful! Ishida has shown us some great photos!! However here the pony horse look like worn out cow horses. For some big races they are turned out braided with clean tack, mane and tails braided, etc.. However day to day the riders on them are in jeans, tee shirts or track jackets, and ride just to stay on.. but no matter (for the horses that need them) they are invaluable.

[casallc]

I think lead ponies are a QH influence. They have always been used as long as I can remember with QHs. You need a much higher blood count and energy level in the short sprint races so lead ponies are a necessity, unless you want your horse to run off with the jock before he ever gets to the gate. Flipping halters are common with quarter horses but unknown with thoroughbreds - another thing resulting from the high red blood count and bursting energy (also idiots with hot shots training for a fast break). In the quarter horse industry the trainers are usually actually horsemen and know how to ride a horse. It is always better to ride than walk. In the old days the trainers would usually have to head their own horses in the gates. They would lead the horse from the backside on the pony then hand off the horse to the groom in the paddock, tie up the pony saddle and about half of the trainers would lead their own horse in the post parade and warm up (a good time to slip the jock a machine). A truck would wait at the paddock to take the headers or grooms to the gate.

D Wayne Lukas was one of the first influences of the "fancy" lead pony. Steve Asmussen's mom, Marilyn, was also an innovator she was braiding manes and tails and using pom poms long before anyone else. I don't know if she still does it but she always had all the work she wanted at the track ponying and at the sales putting the finishing touches on sale horses.

[photofinish]

In the quarter horse industry the trainers are usually actually horsemen and know how to ride a horse. .

Maybe once. My observation, in NM anyhow, is that the majority of the QH trainers are chemists, not so much horsemen. Most, not all, there are a few real horsemen left but the chemists are overunning them.

I really think the ponies are more for the jockeys nowadays. 90% of them will puke on their boots if there is no pony waiting for them....