Most of the time, when someone talks about a racehorse, only the horse’s racing or breeding statistics are discussed. This book does not cover that information. Instead, I am sharing the personality of the horses, some of the little known facts about them, and their particular quirks.
When I began researching information for this book, I mentioned to an old friend and well-respected horseman, Neville Collins, the difficulties in getting the information I wanted regarding the personality of the horse. Collins told me I needed to talk to the grooms: stallion grooms, broodmare grooms, and race track grooms. I found that frequently horsemen who are normally rather shy and not particularly talkative will easily talk about the horses—their horses.
Horses are perceptive. They can sense fear and strength, and they know affection when they get it. Some horses are practical jokers, some are mean, some have a streak of independence, some are grateful, and some are skittish. They all develop their own individual personality.
Arrange for several horse farm tours; each tour will add to your knowledge. On a tour, the guide will point out interesting things about the area before even setting foot onto the farm proper. Once on the farm, visitors are met by a farm employee who will know the farm’s history and horses. The guide may go over the tour rules for visitors’ protection. Racehorses can be skittish and are probably worth more money than the average tourist.
The person introducing visitors to the horses loves these animals. On a tour, visitors will discover where and how the horses live, their daily routine, and the particular quirks that will endear the horse to the visitors or cause them to use extra caution. Either way, tourists see a beautiful animal that has done his or her job well. These horses can be derby and breeders’ cup winners, including some of the most famous and expensive horses in the world. The guides will bring the horse to the visitors for an up-close experience, and visitors may even be allowed to give the horse a carrot or mint. Often, tourists are allowed to take photographs. The horses are quite used to it, and some will automatically strike a pose.
While I do not speak car or electronics, I do speak a little horse. If horse is not your native tongue, please see the Glossary on page 126 to assist in your translation.