Saturday, May 1, 2010

Back at the Track

Oh boy, am I tired. The first day back at the track went well, but it was hot, hot, hot. Around 85 by the time we left, with little shade. But, it was good to see old friends, and we did get listings for five lovely horses. Here's number one on the 2010 Trainer's Listings. His name is It's a Grand Slam and he had just had a bath. It must have felt good to have all that water splashing all over him.



Here's another horse getting a bath. The guy bathing him said that he was getting just as wet as the horse, but that he didn't mind a bit.



There are other denizens of the track besides horses. Here is one of the newest. Meet Gracie, who is a 9 week old Nubian cross doe. She's so young that she's still being bottle fed.



There are a couple of types of exercise machines (walkers) on the backside. This is the more usual one. The horses are attached to the arms of the machine and go round and round. One of their favorite games is "Let's stop the machine." If they just stop and stand, the machine isn't strong enough to keep moving. If horses could snicker, I think they would, when they are playing this game.



A couple of the bigger trainers have built a fancier type of walker. These are covered. Instead of the horses being attached to arms of the machine, they are put in one of five small enclosures. They aren't attached to them in any way. The whole machine moves around in a circle and the horse has to move with the enclosure. There is no playing "Let's stop the machine" with these babies, and unlike the others, where the horses can only walk, they can be sped up so that the horses must trot.



An old apple tree on the backside. The horses enjoy the apples in the fall.



Last year, there was a lot of construction going on, and the backside was a mess. That is all done now. The place looks a lot better, all spruced up and ready to go.

9 comments:

IsobelleGoLightly said...

My favorite is the GOAT!

Tina said...

Wow looks like you had a great and busy day!

Sharon said...

It sounds like you really enjoyed your day! What was a goat doing there? Sure cute though!

Think if I was a horse, I would rebel against that walking in a circle thing.....

Inger said...

Gorgeous horses, but of course the goat is priceless. So cute. How often do you go there during the season? It sounds like you had a great day even if it got way too hot.

Louise said...

Sharon, there are actually quite a few goats at the track. Some horses do better with a companion, and that companion is most often a goat. Last year, one goat got so possessive of his horse that he actually tried to butt me when I got too close. I haven't moved that quickly in a long time!

Tina said...

Aren't goats just amazing how they protect things with their butting heads....at the donkey farm I always have a "run in" with one of the goats.

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

I watched Super Saver today in the Derby.

Eat our veggies!

Lori Skoog said...

Louise...I am so appreciative of you and your friends that place these horses. Every single one is a beauty. Yes, you should take a ride to Medina!
If you ever get to Brockport, you will have to stop here too.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I have to admit that I'm afraid of horses, but love to see them because I so admire how beautiful they are! I also used to take my dogs to a swim center where horses also swim for rehab and excercise; it's amazing to watch.
The goat is also very cute! I once picked up a Golden from a shelter that had come in with a goat--The dog was very attached to it, and I felt bad that the two had to part company! :-)