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‘They Just Run For Her’: Apprentice Jockey Ferrin Peterson Celebrates Four-Win Day At Monmouth

The hints were there that something special was going to happen for apprentice Ferrin Peterson, Julie Krone said. Her work ethic, the way horses seem to respond to her, the increased experience she has gained by riding all summer at Monmouth Park – all were tell-tale signs, she said.

So the Hall of Fame rider-turned-jockey-agent was not the least bit surprised when Peterson, whom she represents, won four of the 10 races last Sunday at Monmouth Park, giving her 12 winners from 64 mounts heading into Friday night's six-race twilight card.

“It's the way horses respond to her that you notice right away,” said Krone. “They seem to find another gear for her. They just run for her.”

Peterson, 28, now finds herself in the midst of what looks to be a hotly-contested race for the second spot in the track's rider standings behind runaway leader Paco Lopez (30 wins). She's right there with accomplished veterans Antonio Gallardo (15 wins), Joe Bravo (13) and Jose Ferrer (12). Hector Diaz Jr. is also part of that logjam with 12 wins.

“I'm very pleased with the way things are going,” said Peterson, who is listed to ride in four of the six races on Monmouth Park's Friday card. “It feels like I am starting to pick up momentum. The trainers here have really helped me get started. Pat McBurney let me gallop for him when racing was postponed here for two months because of COVID-19. It feels like it was a long wait to finally get started in July.

“It just has been a really weird start. Not having Julie on the backstretch, where she could have really helped out business get going, was a bit of a setback, too. So I was unsure of how the meet would go. But I'm very happy with the way things have gone since the racing started.”

Peterson, a licensed veterinarian, is a latecomer to riding, turning to the profession full-time a year and half ago. Krone says her intelligence and willingness to learn are two of her biggest strengths.

“We're superstitious at the racetrack so I'm afraid to say too much because you know you will jinx it,” said Krone. “But she has never made the same mistake twice. All I have to do is show her a video or explain a technique and she gets it immediately.

“Her other big strength is that she communicates with the horses. And there is never any hesitation to accept instruction or a correction. She is totally into her development as a jockey.”

Peterson said she is always tugging at Krone to show her more when it comes to technique or the nuances of riding.

“I told Julie as long as there is something I can improve in my riding each week I want to work on it so the trainers can see I am trying to improve and that I have the work ethic – even if I am not winning,” she said. “Last Sunday there were a few things that Julie worked on with me that just really clicked with me.

“People want to see numbers, so riding four winners on a card was significant to me. Getting longshots to run second and third is good but trainers and owners want to see wins.”

The California native and former college pole vaulter has never shied from hard work, at one point juggling college schoolwork and being a track athlete while also trying to make inroads on her goal of being a jockey as he worked toward veterinary school. That work ethic has carried over to her constant presence in the backstretch and working with Krone on dark days.

And finishing second to Lopez, she says, would be a major achievement this early in her career. Lopez is seeking his seventh riding title at Monmouth Park.

“I do definitely think it's possible (to get second),” she said. “We're only halfway through the meet. Now that things seem to be connecting that's definitely my goal – to chase second. And, really, to chase first. Who knows? Anything can happen.”

The post ‘They Just Run For Her’: Apprentice Jockey Ferrin Peterson Celebrates Four-Win Day At Monmouth appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Shortage Of Veterinarians Apparent During Pandemic

Vet care is one of the only industries to see a significant increase in business during the pandemic. As people were stuck at home and spending more time with their animals, they became more aware of abnormalities and minor symptoms—some of which would require medical intervention. This increase in necessary care has made many animal clinics across the country in need of employees.

Veterinarians and veterinary clinics were considered essential business during the pandemic, but were prevented from doing elective procedures. Now that elective surgeries and preventative care have been added back into the roster of services, vet's schedules are becoming more packed.

Additionally, more households than ever have pets and many have more than one pet, compounding the need for skilled vet clinic staff. More people are also willing to do preventative care for their pets than ever before, as well. Pets, like people, are living longer, with more care needed as they age.

Veterinary jobs are expected to grow by 15,600 between 2018 and 2028, according to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, the American Veterinary Medical Association expects nearly 20 percent of veterinarians to retire in the next 10 years, intensifying the need for more vets.

Keeping Clients Safe: Impact Of COVID-19 On Equine Vets And Farriers

Though equestrian competitions were halted and many boarding barns were shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic, equine veterinary and farrier care have been considered essential services, allowed to carry on throughout lockdown. However, it has been a challenge to continually provide care for client horses while keeping customers and caregivers safe.

In order to continue to work, vets and farriers were mandated to establish protocols that followed state and local distancing, quarantine and decontamination guidelines. During lockdown, many equine clinics were able to continue to see emergency cases, but were unable to perform elective surgeries for multiple weeks.

When lockdown lifted, most clinics still didn't return to “normal”; many are unable to allow clients into waiting rooms or pharmacies, so workers meet their clients in parking lots to either take the horse from the owner or to deliver medications.

Many farriers are now unwilling to have clients or trainers hold horses while they are being shod, electing instead to have their assistants hold or to place the horse in crossties. Between clients, all tools are disinfected. Even when stay-at-home orders are lifted, may vets and farriers will keep their biosecurity practices in place to keep staff and clients safe.

Though the pandemic has changed the way equine professionals must interact with their clients, requiring much more interaction from a distance or via phone or text, equine professionals still strive to give their two- and four-legged clients the best of care.

The No. 1 Factor To Determine Wound Severity? Location

Horses seem to have a penchant for getting into trouble, sometimes injuring themselves in the process. When trying to decide if a vet should be called to look at an injury, the main assessment of the severity of an injury is its location.

Size doesn't matter much when it comes to wounds, said Dr. Suzanne Mund, a veterinarian in the Western College of Veterinary Medicine's Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. A small wound on a joint can be much more serious than a large wound over a lot of muscle.

More-severe wounds often occur on areas of the horse's body that has a lot of blood vessels, which increases the risk of bleeding and infection. Areas of concern include along the jugular vein, between the hind legs, around the elbow and underneath the skin. Injuries to the backs of legs are of great concern as many tendons and ligaments are located here. Wounds in any of these areas should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Wounds that occur on high-motion areas like joints are fraught with complications, including the trapping of gas beneath the horse's skin. Wounds in these locations open and close as the horse moves, forcing air up and potentially elsewhere into the horse's body, like between the lungs and heart. This can become an emergency situation if the air collapses a horse's lung.

Tears or cuts to the skin are generally treated by flushing, draining and stitching them. Puncture wounds are more dangerous and can carry bacteria and debris deep into tissues, potentially encouraging an abscess or tetanus.

If there is an object embedded in a horse, it's important that it not be removed until an X-ray of the area can be taken. This will help guide the veterinarian on the correct course of treatment. Any wound that exposes internal structures is an emergency situation and a vet should be called.

Mund encourages owners and caretakers to call a vet if there is any question on how serious the wound is.