A young filly in my barn started coming back from workouts with scuff marks and small abrasions on her heel bulbs. We tried wrapping the front legs, which helped briefly, but the issue kept returning. Our farrier eventually pointed to long hind toes delaying breakover. After shortening them and rolling the hind shoes, the marks …
Lasix — the brand name for furosemide — is the most debated drug in American horse racing. It has been administered to racehorses before competition for decades, used primarily to control Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH): the lung bleeding that affects an estimated 90% of Thoroughbreds under race conditions. It reduces that bleeding by 50–70%. It …
Racehorses break down for several reasons. Here are the most common ones: Usually not sudden: Catastrophic injuries are often the final stage of stress injuries that built up over weeks or months before race day. Main drivers: Pre-existing stress injuries, insufficient recovery time, hard or inconsistent track surfaces, and conformational vulnerabilities that concentrate force on …
The night before a big race, my Thoroughbred Ashton refused his feed. Watching a horse turn away from a meal he normally cleaned up reminded me of something every trainer eventually learns: racehorse nutrition isn’t just about formulas—it’s about understanding the individual horse. After more than 30 years managing Thoroughbreds, I’ve found that feeding mistakes …
If you’ve seen horses in the paddock before a race — being saddled, paraded, or led to the track — you might notice that while many horses wear common gear like blinkers, shadow rolls, or leg wraps, the exact combination often varies from horse to horse. Every piece of equipment is chosen for a reason: …
Claiming races are the absolute engine of horse racing’s economy. If you’ve spent any time around the backside, you know these aren’t just races; they’re high-stakes chess matches where every horse is for sale at a fixed price. It’s an arena where strategy, instinct, and raw risk collide, keeping things honest and the competition fierce. …
Did you know some of horse racing’s greatest champions started in maiden claiming races? These events are more than stepping stones—they’re brimming with opportunity, strategy, and excitement. For new owners, they offer an accessible way to enter the sport, while seasoned professionals use them to uncover hidden talent and strengthen their stables. As a racehorse …
How do you use pedigree for handicapping? Check a horse’s sire and dam line for proven form at similar distances and surfaces, and treat pedigree as one input alongside past performances, jockey and trainer stats, and track conditions — not a standalone system. A horse’s pedigree is more than a family tree. This guide covers …
Whether you’re planning a mating or shopping a yearling, the search for speed starts with the same question: what can genetics actually tell you about a racehorse’s potential — and what remains impossible to predict? Pedigree, heart size, muscle fiber type, conformation, and the mare family all shape a horse’s speed potential, but none of …
Horse racing has always been a thrilling display of speed, but can these magnificent animals get even faster? The quest for record-breaking speeds has fueled the innovation of breeding, training, and technology from ancient chariots to modern tracks. But as we push the boundaries of equine athleticism, we must also consider the ethical implications. Can …