What people are forgetting about Flower Alley

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by sumitas

Yup, he was right there at the top of the stretch. It takes a lot longer to get in top shape than most people realize, that's for sure. It doesn't happen in a month or 2. It takes a while. The competition is fierce and the horses are great athletes.

Sumitas,
There is so much truth in what you say.
It's just so easy to get down on a trainer.
Most folks don't know what goes into it. It's waves, not straight lines.
First is the diet. You kind of "starve" them...not really, but hay and a little grain. Short easy works to start building muscle. Then, as the appetite develops, stronger works at a variety of distances, hotter feeds. By the time the race comes up, you just hope that everything you've put into prepping for that race comes true. It's diet and excercise...hoping that when the horse reaches "peak" it's at exactly the right time.
So much can go wrong along the way. The horse can sustain an injury (sometimes difficult to detect), or some kind soul can show up with a ton of carrots and mints to disrupt the feeding program. We've all seen horses get hurt in a morning breeze. Wind sprints and gate works??? Lots!
In a "nut shell", good trainers have the savy from so many previous lessons that when the target race comes along, the horse is a "monster", totally pumped and sound...at the top of the "peak" (wave).
Even then, a stupid ride can happen, or a bad step...and all the effort that's been invested is gone like a discarded ticket on the floor.
It's a tough game. Not just for the horses but also for everyone that tries everyday to make it happen.
If it was easy, I don't think many people would even try.
Nor would the horses.

Just my two pennies worth.

DTS

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

Sumitas,
There is so much truth in what you say.
It's just so easy to get down on a trainer.
Most folks don't know what goes into it. It's waves, not straight lines.
First is the diet. You kind of "starve" them...not really, but hay and a little grain. Short easy works to start building muscle. Then, as the appetite develops, stronger works at a variety of distances, hotter feeds. By the time the race comes up, you just hope that everything you've put into prepping for that race comes true. It's diet and excercise...hoping that when the horse reaches "peak" it's at exactly the right time.
So much can go wrong along the way. The horse can sustain an injury (sometimes difficult to detect), or some kind soul can show up with a ton of carrots and mints to disrupt the feeding program. We've all seen horses get hurt in a morning breeze. Wind sprints and gate works??? Lots!
In a "nut shell", good trainers have the savy from so many previous lessons that when the target race comes along, the horse is a "monster", totally pumped and sound...at the top of the "peak" (wave).
Even then, a stupid ride can happen, or a bad step...and all the effort that's been invested is gone like a discarded ticket on the floor.
It's a tough game. Not just for the horses but also for everyone that tries everyday to make it happen.
If it was easy, I don't think many people would even try.
Nor would the horses.

Just my two pennies worth.

DTS

Very informative. Learn something new. thanks.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by Balletto

Very informative. Learn something new. thanks.

Balleto,
Good to see you here.
Sumitas is a breeder, as am I. I'm also an owner.
Just to say, without a good trainer to make the pedigree a reality, it's also wasted effort.
Have you ever come across a horse or two that had a very modest pedigree that became a monster on the track? I can think of a few.
At the sales, seems to me that people spend very big bucks on pedigrees but leave out one of the most important aspects...the training it takes to make the blood prove its potential.
DTS

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

Balleto,
Good to see you here.
Sumitas is a breeder, as am I. I'm also an owner.
Just to say, without a good trainer to make the pedigree a reality, it's also wasted effort.
Have you ever come across a horse or two that had a very modest pedigree that became a monster on the track? I can think of a few.
At the sales, seems to me that people spend very big bucks on pedigrees but leave out one of the most important aspects...the training it takes to make the blood prove its potential.
DTS

I'll be the first to admit I think pedigree is only part of the equasion. You have mechanics, environment, and of course training among other things. Not down-playing any of that. Im just more well-versed from the breeding/pedigree angle. Go figure.

[slotdirt]

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

Balleto,
Good to see you here.
Sumitas is a breeder, as am I. I'm also an owner.
Just to say, without a good trainer to make the pedigree a reality, it's also wasted effort.
Have you ever come across a horse or two that had a very modest pedigree that became a monster on the track? I can think of a few.
At the sales, seems to me that people spend very big bucks on pedigrees but leave out one of the most important aspects...the training it takes to make the blood prove its potential.
DTS

That's why I love hitting the auctions, DTS.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

That's why I love hitting the auctions, DTS.

Slot,
Are you a pin hooker?

[slotdirt]

Oh no, absolutely not. Not even in the horse business per se, though I am part of a couple partnerships. I just love seeing the animals up close and seeing how horse A is a clearly more talented horse than Horse B, yet will sell for thousands less because of how commercial a pedigree the colt or filly might have.

Is it just or me or has anyone else noticed a turn in the market for better athletes over pedigree? It seems the last 3 years or so, especially at the two year old sales, its athleticism over female family and sire unless you're talking the big two, Storm Cat and Indy.

I think pedigree weighs less importance to the big buyers who are going after colts. But I know, personally, if im buying a filly, I want as much pedigree as I can afford... Do the sheiks still have harems? Sign me up.