Assessing The Race Horse During A Breeze Show

Assessing The Race Horse At A Breeze Show

By: Claudia Lorena

My training in the saddle is extensive, but I attribute much of my skill and knowledge to the training I’ve received on the ground, observing some of the best trainers work with horses and riders from the sidelines. Watching the hunters at different shows up and down the east coast has fine tuned my eye for picking good movers. The ideal hunter must cover ground effortlessly; he must be light on his feet, move well through his knees with long and floaty gaits. He must be efficient in his movement to preserve energy and last over distance. The ideal hunter must cover ground as effortlessly as a prima-ballerina moves across the stage — her movement is quiet, graceful and powerful, yet you cannot hear her feet touch the ground. Appearances can be deceiving. Some horses use their body so efficiently they give off the illusion that they are barely moving, except when you look at the stopwatch you will be shocked to find they just posted the fastest time. This is the type of horse I look for.

While attending the OBS March breeze show, I realized certain traits caught my eye more than others. Here are some important traits to look for when assessing each race horse at a breeze show.

Movement

One of the most crucial aspects when picking apart a race horse, or any sport horse, is straightness through the knees and hocks. The straighter the horse is in front, the better. Make a mental note: just because a horse walks very correct does not mean he will trot, canter or gallop in the same manner. I have seen countless horses with beautiful trots, but the second the horse picks up a canter Alfred Hitchcock’s “psycho” (shower scene) music starts playing in my head—it’s horrifying. A horse’s gallop can be too short in stride, have far too much knee action and the faster it runs the scarier it gets. Not only is high knee action hard on the eyes, it is also typically hard on the horse’s forehand, sabotaging joints with brutal force each time contact is made with the ground. The cause for concern lies in this simple question: how long can this horse stay sound?

Length of stride, or reach, and suspension of gait are two additional traits to look for. The longer the stride, the easier it is for a horse to cover ground and the less energy he will consume in doing so. Horses with a shorter stride will have to work harder to keep up with gazelle like competitors; they’ll make more contact with the ground, which may result in faster wear and tear of the joints. Horses with springs seemingly attached to the bottoms of their hoofs are great because they are able to absorb shock much better. Look for a horse with floaty gaits, but find a happy medium, you don’t want your horse to float up into the air like a balloon and loose too much time going upwards. His suspension should compliment his impulsion and his pasterns will play a very big role in this area.

Choose to pass on horses that are heavy on their forehand—if a horse looks like a cow attempting to gallop, cross him off your list. Other indicators of future soundness complications include: winging out and dishing in (especially the left legs), interference, severely long or steep pasterns, snapping of the hind quarters or pronounced and exaggerated rotation of the hips. Think floaty, long and low.

Balance

I am a sucker for a horse with a beautiful top-line that will frame up from head to tail. Thoroughbreds are known for being built downhill and this is visible to the trained eye; or to someone that is aesthetically in tune. The more severe the angle is from the croup to the top of the shoulder, the more off balance the horse will be. One of the main components in racehorses, for me, is finding the ones with that drop-dead gorgeous top-line. The manner in which the neck meets the chest should allow for a natural arch in the neck, and if you were to place a measuring stick flat on the top of the head all the way to the top of the croup it should be leveled or, at least, close to it. Balance should play a major role in your assessment of any sport horse.

Breathing

When watching a horse work, it is important to listen very closely as the horse gallops past. You shouldn’t be able to hear breathing, if you do, his airway is obstructed and hindering performance. If you like a horse that is breathing hard and noisy, make a note to scope. Surgery can work wonders on a horse that is displacing, scoping will tell you if it’s an easy fix or if there are greater complications, like a naturally small airway or a detrimental health problem. Listen carefully and take the proper precautions to get to the bottom of any breathing abnormalities. A horse that cannot breathe, cannot run.

Body Language

The answer often lies in the minor details of body language, which—to the trained eye—serve as clues as to what a horse is thinking and feeling. If you’ve ever been around a true horsemen/horsewoman you have probably heard something along the lines of “listen to what the horse is saying.” This sounds silly because we all know that horses cannot speak, at least not verbally. However, communication between a horse and a person is done so through the use of body language, and it is amazing what a horse will tell you if you are willing to pay attention. Yes, prepare to engage in a game of charades and learn to read between the lines. Not everyone is capable of this, but if you are, use it to your advantage.

Ears pinned back after a work is not a good sign. Not only is the horse unhappy with what he just went through, he is likely communicating discomfort and he may have been pushed beyond his ability. Remember, consignors aim to sell their stock, do not put it past them to push horses past their limit. A horse that worked fast but looks overworked will likely have given more than what he had. This is likely the best you’ll ever get.

Tail swishing is a major red flag that can indicate discomfort in the back, hind quarters or worse can indicate the use of ulterior methods that give a horse an unfair advantage over the competition. A consignor’s job is to sell off his stock, so it is important to note any peculiarities that may be a cause for concern. You may not know what goes on behind closed doors, but if your gut is telling you something is wrong, it’s probably right. You are entitled to examine a horse before investing in it.

You can also tell a lot about a horse by the look in his eyes. Does he have a lively look in his eye or does he look uninterested, depressed or tired? Red flag: wide eyes with a lot of white showing generally correlate to nervousness, being overwhelmed and/or overworked. This isn’t always the case, but make a note if you see this and be sure to visit the horse in his barn before the live auction.

Mind

What do all the greatest athletes in the world have in common? They are driven, focused, and resilient. Like humans, horses are no different. Look for a horse that has a solid mind and works with confidence. When he walks off the track he is proud; his head is up, his ears are forward, his eye is lively and he is engaged with his surroundings. If he is peppy he should still appear relaxed, not uptight or frazzled. Make sure you know the difference.

Bloodlines

“Breed the best to the best and hope for the best,” is a commonly heard saying in the sport of kings. While bloodlines are important, history has proven that bloodlines do not always guarantee greatness. Still a prime component, they are certainly not the only thing you should look for in a race horse. Go to the breeze show with an unbiased opinion, willing to watch all of the horses work. If you go in thinking you are only going to watch colts by Speightstown, A.P. Indy and Giant’s Causeway you might end up missing out on a superstar, by an unheard of sire, with extraordinary talent. The catalog is your friend, but don’t let the fancy names in its content blind you.

Photo: © Adrianna Lynch

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