Who likes to race horses?

Question

I don't meen going to a track

I mean your out on a trail ride and your friends think they got the fastest horse, do you ever just race

I know people that say they got fast horses but never want to prove it

I have an Appendix Q.H who loves to run

Answer 1

You are just lucky up to now that your horse hasn't gotten seriously hurt, and that you haven't wound up in the hospital or in the morgue, pal- what you are doing is stupid and dangerous. NO saddle horse is EVER fit enough to run the way you have been describing!!! I was taught that from the first time I ever put my toe through a stirrup,over 30 years ago. Leaving racing to the race track and the professionals- I guarantee you that you and your horse will both live a lot longer because of it.  I will NEVER do what you have been doing- I don't want to risk my mare's safety and soundness.

Answer 2

Agreed, you don't want to go out on unknown ground and challenge a race.  There are holes, stumps, wire possibly that isn't seen ahead of you, things to jump out on you and take you off of the beaten trail.   But... I love racing and have done so many times at the race grounds.   Check out your local county fairs, many will put on a race open to the public during the fair...... however, make sure you are one of the people, as required, to clean up the track before the race.  Many times they do demolitions and such on the same track... get yourself a good sized bucket and pick up anything and everything...even small stones before you risk running your horse.   You've seen it on the pro tracks, horses can just land wrong on good ground and its all done... not too mention the possible attributes of a horse that is not "race worthy" that can lead to lameness issues.   Other than that, I'd race you on safe turf (getting too old and too worried) to it elsewhere!

Have fun and be safe!

Answer 3

I gallop steeplechase Thoroughbreds for a steeplechase jockey =) So much fun, but we always walk the fields beforehand to make sure we know where not to go. We always flag holes and such. (I have a wicked fast horse)

Answer 4

No, I just trot and canter cause I don't want my horse to be injured doing something stupid that I thought would be fun.

Answer 5

No, not really. It's more fun to just canter, not race.