Rainy Day Sale at OBS

Some breezes, then a trip to the sales barn to look for a yearling for a client.

Back to OBS

We went back to OBS this AM. I sent out TS Faye and Spitfire and another filly purchased last week by a friend. I asked them to gallop together and then go to the gate. They are trying to get together here.














I asked them to go to gates and breeze 4 to 5 furlongs. TS Faye breaks on top. New filly is up in air as the handler in gates confused her. Spitfire is the slow breaker-you can barely see his nose. Though we had his tooth pulled that had bothered him, he still worked poorly... I may put him up for the summer and let him grow. TS faye worked in 51 ,new filly behind and spitfire trailed....hmmmm
TS got her gate card and is close to running at Calder.
Maybe one more breeze.













I then sent Stack Bali against two other older horses. He broke well .














Stack broke on top and was in front for about 3 to 4 furlongs and tired. He will need more work to carry speed. He came back really tired but did every thing all right.

Dead Batteries and a Tender Tongue

This morning I loaded 4 horses got ready to pull out and my truck wouldn't start! The batteries were dead . We gave the horses some grain to munch on and I ran to auto parts store, got two batteries, put them in (all the while with horses in trailer) and managed to get to Ocala training center only half an hour late. Here is one of them going on track.



Last time Surefire went to OBS he ran with his head up high and seemed to fight the bit. When I got home , I examed his mouth and found that he has a risidual piece of wolf tooth up by his molar.









By holding his tongue out to one side I can feel both his upper and lower ridges and I can feel the piece of tooth. This may explain his high head carriage.






The gates weren't open so I had them walk through the baby gates and the gallop around and try to go four furlongs











Just Surefire and TS Faye today. They galloped together to top of stretch.




TS Faye with little effort left Spitfire behind. Even though I put rubber bit on Spitfire he still fought-and did not breeze well. I have a call into a dentist .

TS Faye breezed acceptably; 4 furlongs in 52 seconds. It is not fast but is stretching out her distance and if shins are good we can improve on that.
I also had Stack Bali gallop on the track to see how he would go. He was good so I will send him from gates next time.
The two year old in training sale was going on and I managed not to come home with another horse!

More OBS

June 10, 2009: Gates and Breeze.






We are at the OBS track and it is much busier as the two year sale is next week . we are waiting for the riders.











We went back and brought Spitfire ,Irish,and TS Faye. The two boys had a little bit of mucus so I told the riders not to push them if they did not feel well.










This time I had horses stand in gates and they were flopped out and galloped out .
They then came back and stood again and broke out well when the gate was sprung automatically. They are progressing well.









This is the second break and they broke very well this time!












Spitfire fought most of the way with the rider and didn't settle down until they galloped a half a mile but he needs to work with the rider.
They broke off at three eights and breezed to finish line.
TS Faye finished out front in 38 seconds with Irish second at 39 seconds and spitfire behind having fought too much with rider.

Back to OBS

June 3rd, 2009: More gate work, with a live break, and a breeze.








Back at OBS this morning.










Off to the track...










OBS is a quiet track. For those first shipping In expierences it has a sense of calm.











Into the practice gates.










Real gates! The had them spring open...










Balk! Poor start: horses and riders not ready. They will break better with practice as they get used to the racket.











It is good to see the horses calmly walking back after their breeze, they are becoming accustomed to the routine.












Back the barn. Practically a walk in the park.
Now the horses rest and are turned out until Sunday. They will then gallop on farm easy and go back to OBS on wed again. Note that as we escalate the speed on the track we give more time off to heal from any stresses.
Phontiff felt weak on his shin so he will not go back for a while. Spit fire should be okay by then. We will see. Again the ebb and flow of training young horses

Breezing at the OBS Track

Back on May 25th, 2009:Since trying work at Calder turned into a Catch-22/logistical nightmare, we ended up heading the 2 or so hours north the the OBS track.





TS Faye Loading well.













Spitfire in like a pro.











And of course, good old Moose, the pony.










Arrived at OBS safely. Waiting for riders.










This is all new for these guys.











Sure is different from the orange grove!











On to the track...












Track looks big and scary.











At the gates.











First breeze! TS Faye in front.












Nice and calm after breaking from gates and breeze. Now back home for late breakfast.