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R A C I NG
Racing - how does training and talent influence
‘peak performance’?
Peter & Joanne Mayland,
Racehorse Trainers
Peter Mayland DWCF
Racing takes place over a distance of 5/8
mile flat sprints to four mile National Hunt
races. The preferred distance of a horse will
often be dependent on breeding and age.
Training of the horse will take up to four
months, starting with walking and trotting
before gradually building up to galloping.
When a horse is racing it has to be at the
peak of fitness to get the maximum
performance on the day.
Often a racehorse will be worked fast on
the build up to a race and on the day
before will only be given gentle work; so
on the day of the race, the horse is full
of energy.
A racehorse will need good conformation
so that it can tolerate large amounts of
work, a nice long galloping stride to cover
the ground quickly, enthusiasm for work
and the determination to be in front.
A well-bred racehorse with good
conformation, at their peak of fitness, over
a distance that is preferred and with a
good attitude should win lots of races!!!
If only it was that easy...
Physiotherapy and racing
Lee Clark BSc MCSP SRP CKTI ACPAT,
British Team Physiotherapist
at London 2012 Olympic Games
The role of physiotherapy in racing is the
same as within other disciplines, but it is
particularly important and challenging due
to the extreme physical stresses placed on
the horse. The primary aim of physiotherapy
is injury prevention and we do this by
assessing and monitoring the condition of
the horse’s musculoskeletal system.
With various forms of treatment, often
similar to those we use on human athletes,
we attempt to optimise the function of the
body to reduce the stresses placed upon it,
which may also improve performance.
If the horse should sustain a joint or soft
tissue injury, physiotherapists are trained to
help treat these. This is done by minimising
scar tissue, regaining flexibility, promoting
strength and stability, and speeding up
healing times to return the horse to training
quicker and reduce the risk of recurrence.
What role does farriery play in achieving racing
'peak performance'?
During racing, the horse will gallop at
nearly 35mph. When shoeing, several
factors have to be taken into account
including conformation, foot balance,
break-over point and heel length.
Additional factors are considered with
the Thoroughbred foot as they have a
tendency to be thin walled with flat soles
and poor horn quality. The aim is to
achieve equal weight distribution across
the foot to reduce stress on the limb.
During training, a mild steel shoe is fitted
to give protection and support to the foot.
Approximately two days before racing, an
aluminium shoe (racing plate) will be fitted
level with the hoof wall to reduce injuries
from the horse striking himself.
Aluminium plates are lighter than mild steel
and this helps reduce fatigue. There is
some truth in the saying, ‘an ounce on the
foot is a pound on the back’. Concussion
is also reduced as the plates are softer
than mild steel. Racing plates are designed
to be nailed onto the foot with plate nails
which are finer and reduce damage to the
thin hoof wall. The design of the plates will
offer good grip and give the horse more
confidence and a better performance.
SUMMER 2014 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
14