winter | Horse Racing Free Tips

Justify Son of Winter Debuts in Fascinating Curragh Affair

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Insights features the third foal of MG1SW Winter, who already claims a TDN Rising Star to her docket as a broodmare.

13.45 The Curragh, Debutantes, €17,000, 2yo, 7fT
LONDON CITY (Justify) is the third foal out of the G1 1000 Guineas, G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, G1 Coronation S. and G1 Nassau S. winner Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whose 3-year-old daughter Beginnings (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) earned TDN Rising Star status last term. Ryan Moore has opted for the grey colt over Ballydoyle's other runner Chantilly (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a half-brother to the group 2 winners Royal Dornoch (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Hawksmoor (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}), while Juddmonte and Ger Lyons combine with Formal Display (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), a son of Passage Of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and half to Dubawi's Time Test (GB) and Johnny Murtagh unveils The Aga Khan's Shamsuddin (IRE) (Siyouni {Fr}), a half-brother to last year's G2 Railway S. scorer and dual group 1-placed Shartash (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).

16.05 Newbury, Mdn, £30,000, 2yo, 7fT
FARIZIO (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the second foal out of Juddmonte's Listed Height of Fashion S. winner and G2 Ribblesdale S. runner-up Mori (GB) (Frankel {GB}), whose dam Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) was such a font of success for the operation throughout her career as a six-times top-level winner. Ralph Beckett has charge of the February-foaled colt, who meets King Power Racing's homebred Fox Legacy (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a Sir Michael Stoute-trained half-brother to the G2 Queen Mary S. winner Ceiling Kitty (GB) (Red Clubs {Ire}) from the family of last year's G2 Gimcrack S.-winning TDN Rising Star Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}).

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Winter Feeding: Keeping Horses In Good Weight

Shivering helps horses maintain their core body temperature in winter, yet the metabolic price is high, considering temperature regulation requires significant calories. Additional calories will likely be needed to maintain an appropriate body condition score (BCS) during cold snaps. Exactly how much more feed does your horse need to consume when the mercury drops?

According to Dr. Kathleen Crandell, a nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research, some horses won't require any additional calories, whereas others may need to consume up to 25 percent more calories each day to maintain condition.

For example, if a horse typically consumes approximately 2 percent of its body weight in forage per day (equivalent to 20 pounds of dry forage for an average 1,000-pound horse), then this horse could require almost 30 pounds of dry forage per day in cold weather. Rather than simply feeding more of the same forage to offer additional calories, horses can be fed concentrates, fat (either as oil or high-fat supplements such as rice bran), or energy-dense forages such as alfalfa or clover mixed with their regular hay.

“Healthy horses living in regions that typically have milder winters, are maintained indoors, or are blanketed when outdoors for limited periods of time can be fed a diet similar to that fed in warmer months,” Crandell advised. Horses that may require additional feed to maintain an appropriate BCS include:

Horses that fall into the senior classification,
Horses with an underlying disease;
Horses asked to perform their regular work throughout the cold season;
Horses that reside primarily outdoors in regions with harsher winters; or
Horses that are not routinely blanketed but do have access to shelter.

Horses maintain their core body temperatures by diverting blood flow from the skin to their internal organs, shivering, growing a thick coat, altering metabolic pathways to produce heat, and fermenting forage.

One of the key factors in determining whether or not your horse requires more feed involves frequent and precise assessment of BCS. While some owners may struggle with this process on the best of days, often underestimating their horse's true condition and therefore overfeeding, the longer, thicker coats and use of blankets can make estimating BCS even more challenging. Nonetheless, this skill is imperative to ensure a healthy horse.

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“Be certain to use your hands to feel for fat cover rather than simply glancing at these regions to assess BCS,” advised Crandell.

Looking for a specific product to maintain an appropriate BCS in the winter? Kentucky Equine Research's feed manufacturing partners offer high-calorie concentrates that will suit your horse's dietary needs.

Winter Slip Injuries: Some Serious, Some Not

Ice, snow, and muddy, slick surfaces can cause horses to slip and fall during the winter. The type of fall can help determine potential injuries, each of which requires different management strategies.

A horse that falls and splits his hind legs is at risk for pulled groin muscles. Most horses with pulled groins are lame and don't want to move. They may walk crookedly or with tiny steps. Rest, anti-inflammatories, and a gradual reintroduction to exercise normally ensures a horse recovers without complication.

A horse that splits his front legs when he falls may suffer from radial nerve paralysis; a horse with this injury will be unable to step forward, making it look like the leg is broken. Mild nerve paralysis can resolve within days with vet-administered anti-inflammatories and DMSO. More severe cases may take months to resolve.

Any horse that falls may see the development of bruises on his body. Cold therapy can limit swelling initially, and heat applied later can encourage circulation and removal of cellular debris.

A horse with a head injury may have fallen hard or may have fallen into a fence or other immobile structure. He may be disoriented, blind, or unable to stand. A horse with a suspected head injury should not be moved and a vet should be called immediately. His prognosis is guarded.

‘Tis The Season: Top Five Winter Hoof Care Tips

The American Farriers Journal has released a checklist of winter hoof care tips that can help horse owners keep their horses' hooves healthy during the difficult cold season.

First, the AFJ recommends maintaining a regular shoeing or trimming interval.

“Even though hooves grow more slowly during fall and winter, regular farrier care is important,” states the AFJ. “If shoes are pulled for the winter, hooves may need to be trimmed more frequently.”

A second tip is to keep stalls and run-in sheds clean and dry with regular maintenance, including manure/soiled bedding removal.

Another part of the horse owner's daily winter routine should be checking and cleaning out each hoof. Regular visual exams can help detect early changes that could signify the beginning of larger problems, and regular cleaning will help prevent a dangerous buildup of snow/ice.

Fourth on the list is to maintain anti-thrush measures.

“In milder winter climates, mud can create as big a problem as snow and ice,” the AFJ warns.

Finally, consider your horse's changing nutritional needs during the winter months. Vitamins A and E are mainly provided by hay, but those levels can drop to less than 20 percent of normal by winter's end. Additional supplementation may be necessary, but as always, consult your veterinarian and farrier for specific advice.

Check out the full checklist at the American Farriers Journal.

The post ‘Tis The Season: Top Five Winter Hoof Care Tips appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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