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Oaklawn, Arkansas HBPA Offer Owner’s Reward

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort and the Arkansas H.B.P.A. will honor Thoroughbred owners with a $400 per horse cash reward, regardless of where their horse finishes in a race, beginning Mar. 18 through the end of the racing season, May 6, 2023.

Stakes races are excluded from Owner's Reward program. Owners of runners competing in allowance races will be eligible as long as seven or more horses arrive in the paddock. Owners of horses competing in all other races will be eligible as long as eight or more horses arrive in the paddock.

“Halfway through our 2022-2023 season, Oaklawn has awarded jockeys, trainers and owners with the highest purses in the country for the time we race,” said Louis Cella Oaklawn President. “In addition, we have instituted a new trainer bonus this season. For the first time at Oaklawn, we now offer an Owner's Reward for the second half of our season. We hope this reward will entice owners to continue Oaklawn's standing as having the nation's leading field size per race.”

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Horses Better At Adding Than Some Humans

A study from Germany suggests that horses may be more mathematically inclined than originally thought. Researchers from the University of Gottingen trained three Shetland ponies to choose images that matched a specific visual cue.

First Drs. Vivian Gabor and Martina Gerken taught the ponies to walk up to a device and press a button; they were rewarded each time they approached the device and eventually for pressing one of the buttons.

Next, the ponies were shown a computer screen on the device that had a stimulus image in the center, and two images below it—one of which matched the stimulus. Each time the pony touched the image that matched the stimulus image, he got a treat delivered through a tube. To make sure the ponies weren't just selecting a familiar symbol, the researchers changed the options on the computer screen each time.

Once the ponies learned this, the scientists ran the same test, but used different quantities of the same image. For example, the stimulus image may show two dots; the options below may show two options: one with two dots and one with three. If the ponies chose the two-dot choice, they got a treat.

The researchers varied the size and arrangement of the images to ensure the ponies were choosing options based on numbers alone and not on other visual cues. The final phase of the study used images that were groupings of different geometric symbols, such as a cross, triangle and rhombus.

All three ponies had an 80 percent accuracy in matching images with at least four elements in at least two training sessions. One pony could tell the difference between four and five geometric symbols.

While proving that a horse's cognitive abilities may be much higher than previously believed, these finding don't mean the pony was “counting,” the team says. True counting indicated that the individual had an idea of numerical order. The ponies were subitizing: Quickly and spontaneously adding a short number of objects. Some primates and avian species can do this.

Nominations Open For The Right Horse Initiative’s Good People For Good Horses Awards

The Right Horse Initiative strongly believes that great work deserves to be recognized and celebrated. From the veterinarians, farriers, volunteers and trainers to the incredible storytellers who help spread the word about equine adoption, it takes a network of support to help each horse find a wonderful home. The second annual Good People for Good Horses Awards will recognize these hardworking members of the equine community who dedicate their time and talents to helping horses in transition.

“The Good People for Good Horses Awards is an opportunity to acknowledge those working tirelessly to care for horses in need and help them find loving homes,” said Christie Schulte Kappert, Program Director of The Right Horse Initiative. “We look forward to celebrating the unwavering dedication of these individuals across the country who, despite a challenging year, continue to step up for horses in transition.”

The Right Horse Initiative invites all members of the horse community to nominate one or more U.S.-based individuals or organizations in the following six categories for a Good People for Good Horses Award:

Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician*
Trainer
Volunteer
Farrier
Community Partner (such as a riding club, event center, boarding barn, etc.)
Wild Card (anyone else—such as member of the media, photographer, advocate, social media influencer, fundraiser or staff member)

*A total of three awards will be given in the Veterinarian/Veterinary Technician category based on geographical location in Western, Central and Eastern regions of the United States.

A committee of reviewers from The Right Horse Initiative will review submissions and recommend winners based on subjective criteria. Awards will be given based upon the nominee's contributions to equine adoption efforts and the success and impact of the organization they serve. Nominations are due no later than December 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EST with winners announced the week of January 25, 2021.

earn more and submit your nominations here.

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