by John Asgeirson

Created on: March 12, 2009

"And down the stretch they come!"

The track announcer lets the crowd know who's in front and who will be cashing tickets as a result.

It's great when a plan comes together and the trainer, groom, jockey, owner, family and friends are in the Winner's Circle. This is a competitive business and even the best trainers rarely win over 20% of the time even if they have the best horses and owners with deep pockets.

Money, diplomacy and salesmanship are just as important as food, care, actual training in developing winners. The cost of keeping a thoroughbred in training can be as much a $5,000 a month at major tracks. Wins need to happen regularly and effective training requires communication skills with athletes that can't speak and speaking to owners who at times think that horses are not much different than motorcycles.

The trainer will usually be responsible for determining the mix of food for the horse, including hay, oats, bran mash, some corn, carrots and vitamins. The grooms usually feed and water the horses. He also makes sure the stable and horse is clean and groomed. Fresh bedding and water are also vitally important components for a happy horse.

Grooms are often ridiculed as being disinterested and incompetent unless they think they have a live animal with a good chance of winning regularly. A good groom interested in the wellbeing of their charge is invaluable in problems avoided and good information shared with the trainer who may miss things as they are always stretched for time and attention. The size of the stable, the expectations of the owners and the price of the stock are all things that affect training and the support the animals get.

The trainer, the vet and the groom may respond to the aches and pains of their four legged athletes as they train and after the race providing horse with allowable medications along with other forms of treatment like ice water baths or liniments to improve circulation. The care of these special athletes is a 7 day 24 hour a day process and how well the team function shows in the amount of money won and the health of the team.

Up to date care from a vet is not cheap and there are tests and treatments for everything. How much treatment is needed and can be afforded is one of the most important things a trainer must explain to an owner. Sometimes it is just time on the farm, which for a horse can be like quality time in physical therapy. Horses can just relax, eat, and run just as much as they want, while hanging out with

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