Phil,

I absolutely would like to hear your thoughts on paddock & post parade analysis. Lets face
it, if you don't feel good on a particlular
day, and it shows, its unreasonable for
anyone to expect you to perform at your best.
Horses are no different. The obvious negative signs of sweating & being unruly
with the handlers but there are others.
A dull coat, listless walking with their head down are more subtle. Scared horses (when you can see the whites of their eyes) are
vulnerable as well. The biggest positive sign I continually see is a horse that
breaks off from the post parade with its
neck bowed so its chin is about touching its chest and when he gets into stride he gradually raises his head & extentends his
front legs effortlessly. When horses
break off from a walk to a jog following the post parade, I like to see a horse walk as
long as possible before beginning to jog
and try to note any "herky-jerky" movements when they make the transisition. If its not smooth, there is a good chance they are sore.


Nunzio