timeline for training
 

What is the typical time line for training a yearling, soon to turn 2 , for the track ? I'm not talking about these 2 yr old under tack sales . The training time line for a yearling spotted for a race late summer or fall as a 2 yr old ?

I like to have the yearlings broke in the fall regardless of when the are going to run. Sometimes you turn them out for a bit and start training them in Feb or march. Sometimes you can send them right into training late in their yearling year and keep them going until they race or until you think they need a short break. Horses that are going to race in the fall still need a good bottom that being turned out in a field for a long time cant produce.

Just to add to what Cannon Said, I just stopped on 30 or so yearlings that are all going to the races. But I also just started breaking another batch of yearlings that are also going to the races. Of the one we just tuned Out some are slated to start back Jan 1 some Feb 1st and a few March 1st. I have a few that we are just starting to break that we will go right on with as we will try to run a couple at Keeneland this Spring.

Those yearlings are fortunate to have such expert guidance at their young age . The best to all and thank you for your knowledge .

Occasionally I visit a farm in upstate NY . There I like to see 5 yearling colts in a large field with a hill . The boys spend their days rough housing, pulling bridles off each other . As a group they run full tilt up and over the hill, shaking the earth, sounding like thunder . They have not begun their formal schooling yet but instead rely on each other for their development in their young lives to date .

Here's a question. I know they need practice with a farrier but when do you first start shoeing them? Does it help to do some of the early training sans shoes? I've been talking to some folks about the merits of horses already racing who run without shoes but this got me thinking about the effects on youngsters.

they see the farrier for the first time at about 2 months old--earlier for foals with limb deformaties or contracted tendons etc. and continue on a regular schedule for life.
Sales horses will have their first set of shoes put on before a yearling sale--generally they get pulled as soon as they are taken home. Depending on the horse there is usually a benefit to keeping them barefoot as long as possible. They develop better sole depth and wall strength than shod horses.

How about if you plan not to start the horse until 3 ? Do you take the horse and send the owner to a psychiatrist ? :zz: Or does the start of training get delayed while the horse matures ?

Horses first race at 3
 

It is not uncommon to start a horse at 3. In fact, depending upon the physical nature of the horse and its bloodlines it may be well advised to start a horse after it turns 3. Many horses will not start until 3 because of just needing time to grow into themselves, a conformation issue. Others may have minor or major ailments that places them on the sidelines for many months during their 2 year old year. Many trainers also do not believe in rushing horses as 2 year-olds (Alan Jerkens, etc.) especially if they do not have that precocious type of bloodlines.

One must have patience and more patience to do the right thing for the horse. Many time one sees a 2 year-old start in the Spring or Early Summer and never hears from them after they are 3. Interesting, in looking at the Breeders Cup Classic at SA this year the following horses did not begin their careers until they were 3: Awesome Gem, Casino Drive, Curlin, Fairbanks, and Mast Track. So, it is not atypical to have a nice horse start at 3. As an owner your patience will be tested but hopefully the horse will begin their first race when they are ready and will race many years to come....

PSH

[quote=Merlinsky]Here's a question. I know they need practice with a farrier but when do you first start shoeing them? Does it help to do some of the early training sans shoes? I've been talking to some folks about the merits of horses already racing who run without shoes but this got me thinking about the effects on youngsters.[/QUOTE

Merlin Here in Florida I put Front shoes on All my Yearlings and trim them in behind the reason for this is that we have so much sand here that front shoes prevent alot of hoof problem (Sand Cracks)

I do not put 4 shoes on them until they have two minute licked a few times

One of the most educational and interesting threads in a long, long time. Thanks to all for input and nice to see the level of knowledge here.

Spyder

To your health .

:rolleyes:

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[quote=Round Pen]I shoe mine early, mainly turf here & tho alot of trainers dont until further down the track ,i feel that GOOD shoeing is benifical to the youngsters hoof growing correctly:o

A old bloke once told me to use Dolamite with our youngsters feed, to stop them going shin sore down the track.
We've tried this & it worked with a couple of them ,so we stick by it do you use any suppliments to your foals diet ?