| I think that it typically takes 4-6 months of heavy training to get a broke 2 YO
ready to race. Of course, that's assuming no injuries or illnesses are
encountered.
With an older horse coming back from a layoff, the amount of training time varies
with the reason for the layoff. If the horses was just being rested or freshened,
it could be back in competition in a month and back in full form in less than 2
months.
If the horse is coming back from an injury or illness, the time spent in training
before the horse is ready to race will be longer. Some horses never come back to
their previous form. There are numerous examples of a horse getting a respiratory
infection of some kind and taking 3-6 months to get back to form.
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| Sorry, for the delay in response. I have been busy and out of town on
business.
I bought the 2 year old (Jessie's Star - named for my daughter) as a
yearling back in March. I picked up (Redskin Flyer) the 4 year old
recently. I worked at a stable on weekends for about 9 months. Had to
quit. It was taking too much of my family weekend time. It was quit
or divorce (Ha, Ha). My wife just could not understand that I could be
at the stable before 5:30am on Saturday, but have a hard time getting to
the office by 8:00am. Just fell in love with the horses. Before that I
had no experience with horses. (Other livestock, but not horses.)
More info on my horses...
I live in Nebraska. Both horses are Nebraska-Bred. Yes, not quite the
same as KY, NY, FL, or CA. But since they will be racing in Nebraska,
they are eligle for Nebraska-Bred races.
Redskin Flyer won its only race as a two-year old. At 3 he was lightly
raced - 7 times. He was at AK-SAR-BEN - Omaha from May until August.
Some horses did come down with infections early in the meet. I don't know
if Redskin was one of them. At the end of AK-SAR-BEN he won his second
race and placed at State Fair Park - Lincoln. He then had a leg
problem and sold. Turned out to be thrush, which was corrected and
then raced once more. He also had a breathing defect. I then bought
the horse. Now for the funny story...
The first race I entered him in was at Columbus, NE (About 60 miles
from Omaha) I took my father-in-law. The trainer and I got the horse
ready, saddled in the paddock, mounted the jock, and sent him off.
Well the horses are loading in the gate and Redskin decides to be
unruly in the gate. He throws the jockey and hits his head on the
starting gate. The jockey was not seriously injured, but a replacement
had to be made. It turns out he gave himself a bloody nose and we
requested he be scratched from the race. Hopefully, this will not be
my luck in future races. The following week we raced Redskin. This
horse is a rocket out of the gate. He was on the lead until about
1/2 furlong from the finish and ran fifth. He has speed for 5 1/2
furlongs and then breathing defect causes airway to close. It turns
out that Redskin was the first horse that I groomed at the stable.
He is such a baby. My wife and 10 year old daughter have fell
in love with him.
Late October, I had a vet perform a MYECTOMY and soft pallet
resection. He is gaining weigh and doing great. I think the long
racing season wore him down and he could not maintain his weight. I plan
on walking and riding him soon. I want to try walking and trotting him
myself and then letting the trainer start on him in January. After
reading the next note, I think I will get a body protector in addition
to the helmet. Fonner Park in Grand Island starts February 11th. Fonner
has 4 furlong races inwhich Redskin should do well.
I have plans to race Jessie's Star in a Nebraska-Bred race for two year
olds at Fonner on April 23rd. Jessie's Star is sired by Arrived on Time
out of the mare Somethingexciting.
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