Training and Care for Racing Horses: A Behind-The-Scenes Look

Race horses are known for their sleekness, their physique, and their overall strength and beauty and punters absolutely love the majestic of their horses and bet on the most refined and powerful horses during the race. About 100,000 registered foals are brought into the world of training and millions of race horses exist today, the English Thoroughbreds being one of the most popular ones, followed by StandradBred and Tennessee Walking Horses. Yet, only a few people are aware of the grooming and training process required to maintain these horses’ physical and mental well-being and how much care and attention is needed to preserve their fitness. Many of these premium horses, eventually race across renowned tournaments and competitions worldwide, while gambling enthusiasts use popular sites such as www.betting.co.uk to bet money on these speedy beasts. Punters who also have a love for animals can get a sneak peek at the process of caring for racing horses through the article given below.

External Well-Being and Strength

A racehorse’s agility and strength are of the utmost importance and caring for its physical health should get top priority. External well-being requires regular checkups, high-quality feeding, giving proper medicines, and looking after the overall health of the horses, especially taking special care of their limbs. Here are the following procedures that are followed to maintain the physical health of horses:

Routine Health Examinations and Veterinary Visits

Race horses have high chances of sustaining injuries from races and in some cases, the injuries may be internal and undetectable. Racing also puts the body through extreme situations and wears them out, thus, it is mandatory to conduct regular checkups for signs of fractures, internal hemorrhages, and infection sustained due to some previous injuries. It is the trainer’s job to check them daily but veterinary checkups are conducted weekly in the best places.

Special care and protection are given to hooves according to the breeds. The horseshoes are carefully fitted and protected against rusting. Additional supplements, for hoof growth and shaping of hooves, are carried out in accordance with the horses. Even the slightest lack of form and stamina could play a decisive role while competing in world-renowned racing tournaments such as the Cheltenham Festival, Saudi Cup, Grand National, etc.

Living Conditions

Cleaning the horses and providing them stables with fresh water, hygienic conditions, and temperature regulators are necessary. Horses are given well-lighted, spacious, and clean stables that are warmed in winter and cooled in summer to maintain their health and tend to their rest.

Diet

Race horses are barred from high-fat diets and fed routinely in small quantities to keep their sleek shape. The feed is strictly restricted to them before their races and it consists of fibers for better digestion. The feed is made of carbohydrate-rich items like meals of corn, oats, and barley to supply them with the high energy required by their bodies.

Stress Relief and Companion Provision

Race horses often have performativity issues stemming from loneliness or stress rather than physical ailments. Horses who are forced to race show signs of depression and anxiety; these animals tend to have a shorter life span and can turn violent if not tended to emotionally. Companion animals like cattle, goats, donkeys, or even dogs are great for horses where a herd can be created. Horses have their own set of plushies as well as support in the initial stages of their training. They also need to be taken outdoors for fresh air to get rid of the stifling feeling of stables. Creating a balanced routine and adhering to routines without changes can help the horse in the initial stages of rearing. Few care centers also opt for music therapy by playing soothing music or keeping them in a peaceful environment to detox their minds after being subjected to the blaring of races. Lastly, anti-anxiety tranquilizers are opted for as the endmost choice for horses in case they are completely distressed or have met with any accidents.