handlers at the sales

[Toccet02]

I looked up some of this on line and didn't get much info---so I ask you horsey folks.
There seem to be 3 or so handlers at Keenland...obviously old-pros at this.
I wonder at all the chain-jerking and pushing on the horses. It seems like the handlers are anticipating moves by the horses and are getting their attention and/or keeping them off balance. Of course this happens at the track a lot too.
How much is necessary and how much is habit? Or if not habit, taught to the handlers?
I don't think it looks cruel or anything, but it looks a bit mysterious at times.
What would the horses do if left alone on a loose chain?
comments appreciated.

[Crystal]

I think a lot of it is keeping the horses mind off what is going on around them so they dont pull a bad move.. It's got to hard, especially with the yearlings.. yikes.

[Toccet02]

yearlings even more than weanlings?
Why would that be?

[zinn21]

Does anyone know why all the Keeneland handlers are of african descent? I've never seen a white handler in the ring. Is this the remnants of southern racial/cultural/slave/class history?

[martha c. green]

They are judged as horses people. The best that can be found are used in the ring.

[GrapDragon]

Does anyone know why all the Keeneland handlers are of african descent? I've never seen a white handler in the ring. Is this the remnants of southern racial/cultural/slave/class history?

as martha c. green said they are the best handlers around so they get the job. although there may be a connection to your comment, althought not do with southern mantality. in the south especially many generations of people of "african decnet" have handled horses for big farms. their fine skills handed down from one generation to the next. kind of like when people "join the union like my dad". its true many of those people are decendants of slaves, and those slaves they often handled and cared for the horses. when slavery was abolished the now free slaves continued doing the jobs they were most skilled at. for some of them it was handling horses racehorses/walkinghorses/showhorses and generations later they are some of the finest horse handlers around!

[sunday_silence]

A couple of them are from Jamaica originally, not the US.

[Evenheaven]

Some of the best horse handlers in the world are of African descent. Some of the best cowboys in the United States were of African descent (sorry, I guess it's just the history teacher in me coming out), but I've done a lot of research on cowboys and found that most were African Americans.

[Sylvie Hebert]

i lended a book to someone a few years back(never saw it again...)name was History of the black jockey"excellent book would love to have it now...

[henthorn]

Also these same auctioneers and handlers have been employed with Keeneland for many years, and are dependable. It's a small group of steady folks, no need to hire new folks yet.

[BJ]

Does anyone know why all the Keeneland handlers are of african descent? I've never seen a white handler in the ring. Is this the remnants of southern racial/cultural/slave/class history?

No...black people are actually allowed to choose their jobs now

[zinn21]

So in the history of the Keeneland sales, no handler other than those of african descent have been able to cut the mustard and get hired?

[BJ]

So in the history of the Keeneland sales, no handler other than those of african descent have been able to cut the mustard and get hired?

If you seriously believe that, and/or take issue with the "color" of the Keenland handlers, you should address that question to Keenland.

[clh]

How did this topic get so off? Has anyone actually watched those folks do their job? They are tremendous! I mean tremendous. They are handling mares, weanlings, yearlings, racing prospects, horses fresh off the track, stallion prospects, etc.... and they do it with style and grace and never lose a beat. I've been in awe of them since I've been going to the sales. At any time one of those horses could rear and all hell could break lose but they handle themselves with total professionalism. I don't know how much they make but I'm thinking you couldn't pay me enough to take some of those horses up there in the crowd, in those lights, with the auctioneer standing behind them, with the spotters out front shouting, etc... They deserve all the credit in the world regardless of race, color or creed - just my humble opinion.

[clh]

How did this topic get so off? Has anyone actually watched those folks do their job? They are tremendous! I mean tremendous. They are handling mares, weanlings, yearlings, racing prospects, horses fresh off the track, stallion prospects, etc.... and they do it with style and grace and never lose a beat. I've been in awe of them since I've been going to the sales. At any time one of those horses could rear and all hell could break lose but they handle themselves with total professionalism. I don't know how much they make but I'm thinking you couldn't pay me enough to take some of those horses up there in the crowd, in those lights, with the auctioneer standing behind them, with the spotters out front shouting, etc... They deserve all the credit in the world regardless of race, color or creed - just my humble opinion.