A bay horse has a reddish-brown body with black points–a black mane, tail, and lower legs. A dark bay can look black in a dim barn aisle, while a light bay can pass for buckskin at first glance. Take the horse outside before you make the call. After years around Thoroughbreds and sale barns, I …
Most riders don’t give stirrups much thought until they lose one at the wrong moment. A stirrup looks like a simple piece of tack, but it gives you a base under your foot when your horse moves, spooks, jumps, or makes a sharp turn. After enough time in the saddle, it’s easy to understand why …
A stakes race is a higher-level race in which owners nominate horses and often pay entry-related fees, with purses supported by those fees plus money added by the track or sponsor. In Thoroughbred racing, stakes races usually mean stronger competition, bigger purses, and lasting value for the horse. Grading tiers: Races scale from Listed up …
Did you know that up to 5% of horses display a behavior known as cribbing? This involves a horse biting on a solid object, such as a fence or stall door, and then pulling back while sucking in air. Cribbing is a compulsive behavior that is concerning for horse owners. Having owned horses for years, …
Maybe it’s a rainy Saturday with no racing on the card, or you’ve got family coming over who don’t understand why you love the track, and you want a movie that’ll show them. Plenty of horse movies have a race in them somewhere, but only a handful capture the feel of the backstretch, the betting …
New Ariats can feel stiff across the top of your foot or rub at the heel, and it’s hard to tell whether that’s normal or a sign you bought the wrong pair. The trick is knowing what will soften with wear and what means the boots just don’t fit. Quick answer: Ariat says leather cowboy …
How much weight does a racehorse lose in a race? Typical range: 25 to 50 pounds per race — roughly 2–5% of body weight; route races in extreme heat can exceed 50 pounds Source: Almost entirely fluid lost through sweat and respiration, not muscle or fat Lasix adds to it: horses on furosemide lose an …
When the gate opens, fans see a field of horses and a flash of colors. Those colors are not just part of racing’s pageantry – they help owners, announcers, officials, and bettors quickly find each horse in a fast-moving field. Here is what Jockeys wear during a race: Jockeys wear a helmet, safety vest, breeches, …
How long do horses live? Most horses live 25–30 years, though many well-cared-for horses reach 30–35 years. Smaller breeds and ponies often live longer; large draft breeds generally have shorter lifespans. Dental care, nutrition, veterinary care, exercise, and weight management are the biggest factors affecting how long a horse lives. Typical lifespan ranges by horse …
Miles Henry About Miles Henry Racehorse Owner & Author | 30+ Years in Thoroughbred Racing Miles Henry (legal name: William Bradley) is a professional horseman based in Folsom, Louisiana. He holds Louisiana Racing License #67012 and has spent over three decades managing Thoroughbreds at premier tracks including Fair Grounds, Delta Downs, and Evangeline Downs. Expertise …
