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TAA Check Presentation From Tampa Bay Downs

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) supporter Tampa Bay Downs will promote aftercare awareness on the undercard of the final day of the Oldsmar, Florida-based race meet. Taking place Sunday, May 2, Race 6 will benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Following the running of the race, a check presentation will be made to the TAA and a TAA blanket and swag bag will go to the winning connections.

In Tampa Bay Downs' Race 6 presented by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, 10 maiden 3-year-olds are set to go 5 furlongs on the turf at 3:08 PM.

“Tampa Bay Downs is pleased to extend its support of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and its ongoing efforts to find new homes and second careers for retired racehorses,” said Margo Flynn, the track's Vice President of Marketing & Publicity.

“The TAA is thrilled to be represented during the finale of Tampa Bay Down's race meet,” said TAA Marketing and Communications Manager Alexandra Kokka. “We're so grateful to have the support of Tampa Bay Downs and only wish we could be there in person to thank them for their donation.”

Out of the TAA's 81 accredited organizations, 14 facilities comprised of 10 organizations are located throughout Florida and work to assist Florida's horsemen. Tampa Bay Downs is committed to financially supporting OTTBs and the TAA.

1/ST Racing Continues Support of Jockey’s Guild

1/ST RACING will continue its long-term support of the Jockeys' Guild and its member jockeys. Under the terms of the agreement effective Jan. 1, 2021, each of 1/ST RACING's venue racetracks will continue to make payments to the Jockeys' Guild to subsidize health, life and accident insurances, as well as short-term and long-term disability benefits for jockeys who are members of the Guild and ride at 1/ST RACING racetracks.

“1/ST RACING is pleased to continue supporting the Jockeys' Guild,” said Craig Fravel, Chief Executive Officer, 1/ST RACING. “Guild members compete daily at 1/ST RACING venues and their safety and well-being is integral to our sport, during and after their careers. 1/ST RACING looks forward to continue working with the Jockeys' Guild to advance and promote safe racing for horse and rider.”

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The Perfect Pack: A Professional’s Packing Protocols

Farrier Mitch Taylor, founder of the Kentucky Horseshoeing School, tells Horse & Rider that there are a variety of reasons a horse owner may pack their mount's feet, but packing should always provide support for the frog and sole.

Taylor noted most horses wear pads under their shoes for one of two reasons: to provide protection or to provide structural support. Pads are never placed on a horse with nothing between the pad and the sole—this space needs to be filled to prevent dirt and debris from entering and packing to the point where it might bruise the hoof. Farriers can fill this space with a variety of things to provide cushioning and protection.

Taylor says that for a pad that's being used to provide protection, he likes to use Magic Cushion. Taylor said he also uses this product in hooves overnight on a variety of horses to relieve soreness and provide protection. Once packed in a horse's foot, Magic Cushion begins reducing hoof heat within an hour.

For a horse that wears pads to provide structural support, Taylor uses a material similar to silicone putty or impression material that will go back to shape no matter how it is stretched or pressed. Taylor often uses this material on horses with laminitis when the coffin bone rotates and tries to drop out of the sole of the hoof.

Overall, Taylor's favorite type of pad is leather, as it has more give than plastic pads and is somewhat breathable. He also says that the leather is easier to manipulate and customize to each horse and their specific issue.