Assistants in Starting Stalls

rob faux
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Assistants in Starting Stalls

13 years 7 months ago

Having assistants in the stalls,holding horses,seems to be a problem and cause false starts and scratchings,quite often.(could surely be open to abuse too.)
Should horses not be forced to "stand" on their own?
Do they allow it overseas?(I know in Ireland a horse cannot even load without the jock on board)
Interested in opinions.

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Chris van Buuren
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Re: Re: Assistants in Starting Stalls

13 years 7 months ago

#167576

Here in the states they all have handlers in the stalls with the horses. I have to say that horse racing here, even though going through a hard time right now as with everywhere else, is a well managed and run sporting activity, in my opinion.......

I think it is necessary for some horses but it shouldn't be the norm.

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Mac
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Re: Re: Assistants in Starting Stalls

13 years 7 months ago

#167948

A handler in the stalls is called a "monkey". I've once been a monkey in Ascot racecourse, Bulawayo. I had to hold down the horse's head until the off. I was'nt too shabby....

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Flaming Rock
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Re: Re: Assistants in Starting Stalls

13 years 7 months ago

#168045

In Japan the horses have to stand alone and all seem pretty well behaved, some extra care and time taken in the training i guess !?

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Sylvester
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Re: Re: Assistants in Starting Stalls

13 years 7 months ago

#168053

Mac Wrote:

> A handler in the stalls is called a "monkey". I've
> once been a monkey in Ascot racecourse, Bulawayo.
> I had to hold down the horse's head until the off.
> I was'nt too shabby....

In SA calling a person a Monkey gets u into trouble. I have been to CCMA local Labor Dispute court of sorts. Cause i told the person to not act like a peanut. Go figure.