Great Piece: Equine Athlete Psychology

[Riot]

So, speed crazy horses are stupid? Or, maybe not stupid, but just a horse that loses it's mind when it runs?

No, not at all. Way off. Nothing at all to do with intelligence. It's social interaction.

I would much rather have a horse with a nice combination of speed and stamina but that might lack a little in the psych department, vs a horse that has a great dominant psychology, but is as slow as molasses.

Yeah, the faster they go, the prettier they get.

But: say you have two equal speed horses. They are each challenged by a strong and confident closer. One folds as soon as the closer comes alongside. The other looks it in the eye and gives it's all to stay ahead.

Go watch that web page, above, and listen to Baffert talk. He explains it.