Horses undergo years of handicapping to make sure that they connect with their trainers and jockeys once they’re inside the field. Apart from that, they are housed in a barn where they will be taken care of.
Like players playing in football or basketball, horses are also prone to injuries. They may suffer from bruises, abrasions, and even lacerations in any given situation. These racehorses may also acquire injuries while in training or preparing to be part of big tournaments like the U.S Triple Crown Series, 2021 Pegasus contenders, Grand National, etc.
If you aim to breed a horse and hone them for thoroughbred racing, there’s a need for you to know how to take care of and treat them in case of an injury. The welfare and nutrition of the horse must be your priority above all.
Here are some basic ways on how to maintain the health of your racehorses in good condition.
Role of a Racehorse Trainer
The racehorse trainer gets the toughest job of taking care of the horse.
From day one, the trainer spends time with the horse until it is fully ready and prepared to compete. Before one handles and handicaps a horse to become a thoroughbred racer, he/she needs to obtain a license first.
Moreover, a trainer has a special role in taking care of the horse’s welfare because it is their field of expertise. He/she does not only hone the speed and agility of the horse, but is also tasked to watch the overall policies, therapies, diet plans, and training schedules. A trainer must also have adequate knowledge about horse handicapping.
Another role of a racehorse trainer is to facilitate and evaluate training. He/she should learn when the training can result in a horse’s dehydration, strain, injury, and other health-related issues. Lastly, a trainer should get that trusting relationship, so whatever he/she commands, the horse can likely catch up and follow.
By doing all these, your horse would be in top shape for the race. You should also ensure that punters would want to check on the latest Kentucky Derby betting odds about your horse and bet on him/her.
Horses Need the Right Shelter
Once a horse is handicapped for racing purposes, it needs to get the proper accommodation by all means. It would help them get protected from trade winds, flies, blinding sunlight, and other harmful factors affecting their health.
Besides, the weather is a huge factor that can affect honing their skills, so a racehorse needs to get housed in a facility or shelter where it’s humid and cold.
When securing a shelter for thoroughbred horses, owners must learn the right fit and other considerations. Do know that some breeders are modifying shelter for horses depending on the size, location, and the competitions they are aiming to join. Like humans, horses need to have a comfortable space to settle after rigid training.
The fitness and form of the horse are achieved once it gets proper comfort and security. Not only that, but their shelter must have adequate ventilation and drainage to maintain the right sanitation. If this is not met, then horses are prone to diseases, and they meet more injuries, which might not help you achieve your goals of handicapping a talented racehorse.
Proper Grooming Appointments
Grooming appointments refer to the people taking care of the horse and professionals that oversee its health. It includes the person who directly feeds and bathes the horse. Once they notice modifications, injuries, or bruises, they should report to the horse owner to apply proper medication.
Groomers are also responsible for shoeing and making them more presentable. Both the physical and psychological aspects of the horse should be properly maintained.
Moreover, a horse owner needs a licensed veterinarian to suggest the vaccination, nutritional supplements, and medicines that a horse needs.
When a horse has successfully developed its skills and is ready to race, he also needs a medical examination. Technically, this is the main requirement of any thoroughbred racing event to know if a horse has used prohibited substances or drugs. When a horse is tested positive for these, they are disqualified from the race and charged with serious penalties.
Takeaway
Honing a horse to become a competitive thoroughbred racer demands patience and effort. You are not only picking any horse and sending it to training without an appropriate plan. You have to follow a complete process to make sure you hit your goal.
Overall, the main priority of forming a horse to become a talented racer is their well-being. If you don’t maintain and take care of the horses from the first day you acquired them until the race day, then you are wasting your efforts.