Re: RC: Re: racing arabs

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Hi Laurie
Bev Scott and I found that our Russian horses were too immature at 3 to
race. We stopped nominating them for Daughters of the Wind and Drinkers
of the Desert and hoped that they would increase the age to 4 or 5---
never did. Bev would take her 4 year olds to the track and let them get
used to the noise, gates, etc of workouts and then bring them home for
another year to mature and bring them back to Los Alamos at 5.
My Polish, and Domestic and Crabbet have an advantage age-wise over
my Russians in that they seem to mature faster, both emotionally and
physically. (Halynov is 15 and still acts like a 2 year old much of the
time).
Different breeding programs, different maturation rates. The fact that
Russians are generally taller also contributes to the slow maturation,
I'm sure, but that is not all of it. I just have to look at my three
year olds as 2 year olds (or less!) when compared to others. For
Russians, probably a later entry into endurance would be best--- both
for
physical and emotional reasons (they are such "kids"). The upside of
that is that they are very sweet, personable, and gentle--- AS ARE OTHER
BLOODLINES (did I get myself out of that potential flame!!??<BG>)
Bette

LAURIE AND WADE PEARSON wrote:
> 
> > A.Perez AmandaPerz@ureach.com
> >   It seems that off-the-track thoroughbreds are often much the worse for
> wear having been started young and run hard.  While may OT t'breds go on to
> performance careers, it seems many of them have soundness issues. Is the
> same true for racing arabs?  Do they start running them as young?  Do they
> run inot the same problems seen in t'reds (bowed tendons, navicular problems
> etc(I know nothing about arab racing)
> 
> Lets see:
> 
> We do not start the Arabians under saddle until they are almost three
> (January 1st for everyone). They race as three year olds. TB's start as
> yearlings. Arabian are still growing until after 5 in my opinion, so if to
> much stress is put on undeveloped tendons and bone.....you will have break
> down. We have found that swimming is a great thing. It developes the
> muscles, but with no shock on the legs.
> 
> Some Arabians that start young improve over the next years and peak at 4 and
> 5 year old. They manage to stay sound. This is why it is thought that 2
> years of long slow training developes the beter endurance horse. This is
> also why the 4 year old is not allowed to race at 50 and 100 miles. We have
> taken our last two race youngsters and started the ground work and then
> backed off. Taking them to the track closer to 4. I will let you know the
> outcome.
> 
> We even took our last 3 year old and after his first 6 months at the track
> changed gears. We took him from Delaware to Georgia to Sunbust Stables and
> placed him in the hands of Lois, Becky and Mark. They endurance trained him
> for 4 months. Accually it was like a vacation for him after track life. He
> went back to Delaware and his mind and race day performance have greatly
> improved. 3 wins and several 2nd and 3rds by just a 1/2 length or so.
> 
> Laurie
> 
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-- 
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of 16.2hh TLA Halynov
(yes, REALLY!)
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com