Click this little fella for some good looking standardbred heads!
False,
Standardbreds are either "pacing bred" or "trotting bred".
For racing purposes, the type of "breeding" dictates whether the
Standardbred will be a trotter or pacer, however, there have been exceptions to
this rule. The majority of Standardbreds in
True,
Standardbred PACERS NEVER TROT IN A RACE. However, pacing does not
dominate the rest of their daily activities. Standardbreds trot, and pace, from
birth. The Standardbred has been taught that they must not break the pace -
when they are training and racing - but do not get corrected for their gait
when they are not in harness. Most Standardbreds possess a very string, smooth
trot and love to "show off" when turned out in the pasture or paddock
for a break from training and racing. Pleasure driving? Without racing
equipment many Standardbreds enjoy trotting - even prefer to trot than pace.
When unsure of a situation the pace gear takes over quickly, however, with
patience and reassurance the "pacing moments" become non-existent.
False. Most Standardbreds love to race across the pasture at a
canter/lope - even a gallop. Many times it is impossible to pick out the
Standardbred in a herd of horses racing across a field. Standardbreds are
horses with an extra gear - the pace, so naturally they have all the other
"regular" horse gears.
Wrong
again. More and more people are enjoying Standardbreds for pleasure riding,
cattle penning, jumping, ranch work, competitive trail riding, endurance
riding, even Western and English flat classes, barrel racing--the possibilities
are endless. With time and patience, the Standardbred learns new skills. Their
attitude and temperament make them willing partners in any equine endeavor you
may attempt.
This
myth is actually worth a chuckle, but it is still false. If a Standardbred
could pace 40 mph under saddle, chances are the horse would still be on the
racetrack making a tidy sum for its owners. In most cases, Standardbreds will
start out quite slowly while trying to adjust to a rider aboard. A Standardbred
just starting under saddle feels like any other colt, being a little unsteady
as they adjust to a rider's weight. The added bonus is that the Standardbred is
comfortable with the saddle and bridle and the tacking up procedure, plus they
already know how to steer, stop, stand, and back up. They are not sure what
your legs are doing, but they certainly have enough sense to accept the
pressure and learn the rider's cues. The direct rein is understood, just add
the leg, being consistent with each use, and soon the leg is also understood.
The same with asking for a change of gait, verbal command (from being driven),
add the leg aid, be consistent each time, and soon this new command is a
regular feature.
False. There is no "typical looking Standardbred"
nowadays. Individual Standardbreds have been mistaken for Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, Arabians, Quarter Horses, Morgans,
You
decide. Buying a yearling at the sale is not for the faint of heart. Several
yearlings each year sell for upwards of $20,000. To breed
your mare, stud fees range from $1,000 to $10,000 (or higher). Starting
daily training in harness as 'long yearlings", these "babies"
will have regular farrier, dental, and veterinary
care, and a well balanced nutritious diet to promote healthy bone and muscle
growth and allow for the energy required for training. These training fees can
range from $15 to $30 per day. In the summer or fall of their second year, if
everything has worked well, the young student may be qualified and begin a
racing career. Training fees for specialized care and training at the race
track can be slightly higher per day, depending on the stable and/or individual
requirements. So far we have not considered registration fees, tattooing fees,
nomination fee for the sale, sustaining fees for the Sire Stakes (paid annually
as yearling, two year old, and three year old), eligibility fees (so the horse
can race), or the owners, trainers, breeders, and grooms required annual
association membership and licensing fees. Other costs would partially include
training and racing equipment, shipping fees, and stable supplies. The
Standardbred may then go on to earn up to several thousands, even hundreds of
thousands of dollars during a racing career. Now this horse is finished racing.
Is he a cheap horse? You may purchase a retired Standardbred for just over meat
price. Possibly more if the horse had been turned out, started under saddle, or
performing an equine activity with some aptitude. Obviously, the price is very
reasonable for an equine athlete that has been very well cared for and has had
an enormous amount of handling and training.
False. Many Standardbreds are simply not fast enough to be
competitive in the harness racing industry where a mile is regularly paced in
well under two minutes. Instead of pushing the horse beyond his limit,
physically and mentally, a trainer or owner will decide to "retire"
the horse from racing. Some may never have raced but still have countless hours
of handling and exercise; have received regular farrier,
dental, and veterinary care; and are in excellent condition. True, some
Standardbreds have had leg injuries, which may or may not necessitate
retirement, with the hrose becoming sound and ready
for a new career after a couple of months rest. A pre-purchase veterinary
examination, with your intended equine activity in mind, will usually determine
whether the horse will be a suitable and capable candidate.
False. Standardbreds are generally very kind, gentle, and love to
be handled. New challenges are accepted with interest and enthusiasm. Vehicles,
tractors, harrows, water trucks, large moving gates, crowds of people, other
horses in harness, horses under saddle, bicycles, hoses, showers, wheelbarrows,
semi trucks, horse trailers... these are only a few of the everyday things a
Standardbred accepts as normal. Having personal attention every day for most of
their life, Standardbreds adore attention and return the affection readily.
Again,
you decide. Witnessing countless young stock begin training then eventually
leave home to start life at the race track is like having your kids leave home
every year. I imagine the breeders feel the same when their babies go to the
yearling sale. You feel a great sense of pride, and wonder how they will do out
in the real world. Watching these youngsters become more confident and
competitive after "jogging" many conditioning miles that gradually
become faster, you know without a doubt they love what they are doing. One
would have to be totally out of touch for this to go unnoticed. Caring for a
horse on a daily basis tends to make one closer with the horse, a point very
obvious at the race track. New "retirees" at the track often have
many of their past people came along to say good-bye and give them one last
hug. Emotions generally run high, tears spill, and somehow a genuine respect
emerges - for the horse and his people. Amazingly this scenario unfolds many
times over when you take a Standardbred home from his racing career. These
horses are genuinely loved and respected. The care is meticulous; the diet,
health, and exercise all carefully monitored; warm baths, relaxing massages,
warm blankets, clean well bedded stalls provided seven
days a week. To describe purchasing a retired Standardbred as "saving him
from the track" doesn't hold water when you know what his life really
involved. Instead, treat yourself to a very special horse, and enjoy the
experience while offering the Standardbred a new beginning.
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