Natural horsemanship and racing

Since the onset of thoroughbred racing the training methods employed have not varied a great deal. The end result wanted was always the same. The horse must be fit, he must be strong and above all he must have speed and endurance. Hereditary genetics play a large role in the latter, whatever matter the trainer employs, but in the modern era two types of sciences have changed the outlook on training a horse for the track.

The first is simply the science of science, blood tests, gym style equipment and monitors to record the horses breathing, heart rate and oxygen carrying capabilities. The days of a stable lad riding for two hours a morning in the wind and rain have been replaced by the horse walking on a 'walker' or running on a treadmill where the horse exercises in the same manner as a city banker jogging then running on an ever increasing gradient.

The second is the science of nature. The observation of a horse`s temperament and how it behaves in its natural environment. Natural horsemanship takes training horses right back to the horse`s domestic roots, how it acts as part of a herd, what motivates it and controls it. The traditional methods of dominance are replaced by a mindset where in the horse can do no wrong; it is simply given the wrong instructions. The natural horsemanship trainer encourages the herd instinct in the horse and uses body language that mimics the behaviour patterns of horses in the wild. A bond is formed between trainer and horse and from being forced to work the horse wants to work.

So how does this interact with the sport of horse racing? The days of horses being confined to their stables for the duration of their racing lives are over, trainers are understanding the benefits not only of grass on the horse`s digestive system but of freedom and time with its 'herd'. As one of the prime herd instincts in the horse is to stay with the pack and move with it, this can only be beneficial to a racehorse, which in its job must stay with the pack to be able to have any chance of crossing the line first. A natural horsemanship trainer spends hours the floor working with the horse,creating a bond between human and horse that is based on friendship and trust and not force. Many also now choose to run their horses barefoot so that the natural balance of the limb is maintained, minimising the chance of career threatening injury.

One of the main protagonists of natural horsemanship is one of the best known natural horsemen in the world, the American Monty Roberts. Monty first came to the public attention after Sir Mark Prescott made a plea for help with the stallion Prince of Darkness who had a strong aversion to the starting stalls. Having worked with the horse on the floor Monty decided that the problem was that the horse couldn`t tolerate the rails in the starting stalls touching his sides. So he covered him, with a carpet; a few design modifications and the now famous Monty Roberts rug was born.

Horse racing is a fascinating fast progressing sport, the highs and lows involved in owning a racehorse are almost impossible to describe. But the thrill of the track isn`t for the owners only, there`s nothing quite like watching the horse carrying your pound jumping the last in front. horse betting tips will help you decide where to best place your pound and be part of the adrenalin rush that is horse racing.