Re: Stress of racing to youngsters/Conditioning youngsters

["Tracey" <tracey@tbt.co.za>]

Lynge wrote:

> >>In nature he is expected to keep 
>     up with the herd from almost the moment of 
> birth.  He has the speed 
>     to do so.  In nature there is no sparing the baby 
> nor the youth, 
>     and just maybe the horse is built to take a degree of hard use 
> as a 
>     youth. <<
> The difference is that, in nature, he'll spend all day out, in a 
>     field, being a horse, with the occasional spurt of speed to outrun a 
>     predator.  The "hard use" we put them to on the track is 
>     different, I think.
> >>Maybe during youth is the best 
>     time to improve strength, agility, recoveries, sure footedness? 
>     <<
> I don't think racing improves agility and sure-footedness.  
>     In fact, I've found that OTT TBs are the clumsiest, least sure-footed horses 
>     around!  I can't comment on the rest.
> >>The wise choice might be to be 
>     careful not to cross <<
> No arguments there.
> >>No flames, just thoughts. 
>     <<
> Interesting ones, too.
> Tracey
>