I was asked why I chose racing for testing my breeding program. I've ridden/shown saddleseat and western. I never really learned hunt seat and don't jump unless forced to. I have driven my Arab in the past, my Arab gelding and I were in a driving event way back when. We had a great time. The Arabs are just now starting to use the big wood wheel carts for carriage driving. I don't like the little sulkies the use in the show arena. Driving is a blast, but traditionally the Arab is a saddle horse and not a driving horse. So I have thought about endurance. It takes a lot of dedication, time and butt calluses.
Racing and endurance I think use more of the original Arab characteristics then the show ring today. Racing around in a Native costume class is probably fun, but it's only for a few minutes and the judges want lots of knee action now a days. The standard I try to follow is the old paintings and literature written about them. Arabians were known for endurance and some sort of speed as well as being brave. They were raced in the middle east long before Judy Forbis showed up so if I'm going to preserve those characteristics then I need to do some sort of racing with them as well as regular riding.
Racing my mare Mia came about as a lark. I had Tom McNair out looking at my herd. I told him I was breeding for performance. He and I discussed Mia about going to Nationals in the Futurity. He was real excited about it at first and then said no. I'm guessing it was the changing standard so I was trying to decide what to do with her. I knew she liked to run. She has good action for saddle seat, but I really don't like the huge padded up feet and the mechanical action if I wanted Saddlebreds I'd own them. My friend Sandy bred and trains thoroughbreds and I knew her horses enjoyed it. So I thought what the heck maybe I'll try it with Mia if I can get it to work. Sandy found me someone who would work with me and Mia and that is how it got started. I also took note that if Mia did anything, she could earn money and maybe make a profit as opposed to the show ring. Mia had a good time. She broke her maiden against racebred horses. She even came in 3rd in a colt race. She is now going on to do dressage or whatever else so racing is just her first career. It’s nice to have a versatile horse.
Some of things I can learn racing include if the horse is trainable, will it hold up to the demanding work physically and mentally? Racing is challenging not only physically but they must be able to behave and listen to their handlers. There is a lot of excitement around and in the saddling paddock with the crowds watching, horses wigging out. From the horses’ point of view, a strange man shows up, helps saddle them and another possible stranger is tossed up on their backs to ride them while walking past the crowds. I’m sure this is all a big surprise at first. Then they go with a strange horse to the track out to the gates. There they must wait their turn to go in the gates even if really keyed up. The gates are narrow and a handler will be standing above them as they wait their turn to break from the gates. In the race, they need to be able to turn the speed on and off, not be afraid of dirt hitting them in the face, close quarters as well as screaming humans. Shying and spooking has no place on the track. The race horse has to learn to concentrate on the job at hand, not at the distractions.
Of course, they have to want to run to race. The hidden part of the horse is tested with racing as well as their body and brain. The question of whether they have heart or not comes into play as they battle for first place. It's an inner toughness, a desire to win. A horse that does not want to run can not be whipped into first place. A lot of Arabs won't run if whipped hard, they just quit and the let the jockey loose. They're smart enough to understand the goals racing if they've been a few races.
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