Monty Roberts Equus Online University | Monty's Horse Training Post: Should starting Gates be banned from the Race Track?

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Should starting Gates be banned from the Race Track?

By:

Horse addict (From the good old USA)

Date:

2011-Dec-03 at 09:05AM

I was just wondering something, a lot of horses don't seem to really like the starting gates on the race track. Some have gotten hurt in those enclosures. There not very big and if I was pushed into a space that small, I would be very claustrophobic. What do you guys think?

star 2011-Dec-03 at 12:58PM

Many years ago, in small townships, people would gather for the races.
There could be a rope lying on the ground to establish a fair beginning but these horses were not as high strung as the present day racehorse and were more easily controlled.
Also, there was not the purse nor winnings that is at stake as there is today.
Therefore, the reasoning, of the perfect fairness.
Saying this, I have to agree with you that it is not a good beginning for the horse race. You can see many, rear or stumble when the gate is opened and for me that is a handicap to this breed who wants to run just for the joy of it.
Ther is no reason to use any implements to hurry them along, if given the choice, they will run with all their heart.
Monty has a wonderful video on helping a racehorse. I really enjoyed it.
This is my opinion.
Ronda

star 2011-Dec-03 at 12:58PM

Horse addict (From the good old USA) 2011-Dec-03 at 08:29PM

Thanks Ronda for your comment.

Gen (Queensland, Australia) 2011-Dec-04 at 02:34PM

Hi Horse Addict
.
I think the starting gates are like everything else we use with horses - its the way we teach the horse to use them that makes the difference. If we use the Monty Roberts Blanket and his methods, there doesn't seem to be a problem.
.
I do wonder though if the starting gates could be re-designed to eliminate the ledge that rubs on their sides or hocks (can't remember what part of the horse it irritates). It was this ledge that caused Monty Roberts to design his special blanket.
.
Kind regards,
.
Gen