Anyone ever race a horse that "paddles" or "w

[Mac]

Hi, everyone. I've lurked but haven't had the time to post lately.

Regarding my two year old, a Yes Its True filly, she paddles with her front legs when she jogs and canters, although my California trainer says it may not be AS bad when she is galloping. It kind of looks like she is trying to do a horse version of a breast-stroke. Both front legs fly out sideways when they are returning to the front of her body. Anyone ever had a racehorse that does this?

The trainer says the filly otherwise has a good mind, enjoys galloping, and seems plenty fast at this early stage, and I guess we'll see how she progresses. Just curious if any of you have had a horse do it, and how did it affect their racing career?

[tbrace]

It means that most of the stress on her knees and ankles will be on the inside when she runs.

This often leads to chips or slab fractures. She may also interfer on the back. That is, she may fly outward when her front legs go through her back legs, and she may kick herself, or "speed cut" her back legs.

Good luck with her, but this is risky. It is why a filly like this would have a hard time at a yearling sale.

Some good horses have run well with this conformation, but not too many.

I hope she is one who does well.

[Dave C]

I haven't had to deal with a horse with this problem personally but I've had my horses in the same barn as one. The problem that ended her career wasn't with the horse but with the jockeys. The horse remained sound but the jockeys took a hold of her coming out of the gates and wouldn't let her get them in trouble. Pay attention to what the people who have to work with her 'really' think about her because ultimately they will decide if she has a chance, whether she can run or not.

[zinn21]

I've seen many horses paddle or wing when jogging but gallop very efficiently. I've also seen horses gallop with their limbs seemingly going in various directions.

What you need to ask yourself is:

1. How sound is your horse currently?
2. How fast or slow is your horse?

If he/she is sound or unsound and slow you might find another career for him/her.
If sound and fast-go on with it..
If unsound and fast-how much time are you willing to allow in order to determine if he/she can overcome unsoundness to get to a hopefully successful racing level.

[kezeli]

Years ago I took care of a mare with this problem, I belive her name was Morning Charm or Charmin Morn, she was small and gray and a pretty good grade III, alowance horse that would (we called it "scalping") scalp the total shit out of both back legs, we used ALOT of stick spray and felt on her. She made a bit of money (did well) and we were able to sort of tone down the scalping with corrective shoeing. She was at Churchill the last time I saw her, this was in maybe 1978 or79 and nobody refused to ride her or anything because of it. Maybe things have changed alot more than I thought?? But I doubt it.

[majxmom]

I paddocked a first-time starter named Country Cutie once at BM. She looked like an eggbeater coming down the stretch, but she won her first race. She was so crooked-legged, she was tripping in the test barn. No one could believe she won, including us. She only stood for about three races before the forces of biomechanics took over, but she had some try! If your filly paddles, be prepared for her to have a short career, but she might give you some fun.

[larrygene]

They can't hurt that leg while its in the air, its the alignment of the leg when it hits the ground. I've seen horses that wing so bad it looks like they will literally sling their leg off but go on to be decent racehorses. I'll take a paddler that is fast versus one that is correct but can't outrun a fat pig!!!

[Mac]

Fascinating. Thanks very much, all of you, for your feedback and for answering many of the questions in my mind. Most of your opinions helped validate what my trainer has experienced also. To answer one question, so far this filly has come off the track daily with ice-cold legs, so she is sound so far. Funny thing is, she looks pretty correct just standing. Fooled me when I bought her at the yearling sale!

I guess I'll hang in there if she stays sound, and hopefully I'll be able to let all of you know when she has her first race. I really like this trainer so far. Her name is Ina Hajek, and she used to be an exercise rider or asst. trainer for Laz Barerra, Nick Zito, Shug McGauhey, Richard Mandella...she decided to come back to the racing industry in 07, and this time she got her own training license. So far I think she is an excellent trainer. She seems really old school and thorough and does nothing half way, including riding her own horses at least half the time so she can better understand their issues. Hopefully this will help the filly stay sound.

We're thinking of naming her "Better Than Fiction."

[tbrace]

Good for you, Mac. After years doing this, we have to realize, as long as you can afford it, the fun is in getting the horse there. Even in big races, the 1 to 2 minutes of the race is almost anti-climatic.

Enjoy her along the way, paddling and all.

[Tiz]

We had a gelding who winged along, very noticeably. As I fretted and worried over the way he traveled, the girl who galloped him said "Aw, don't worry about it. He's used to moving that way." Made sense to me, and his wild leg never gave him any trouble.
Seabisquit was alleged to gallop eggbeater style, btw.

[ct2346]

In terms of providing encouragement, did anyone else notice Tomcito's action coming down the stretch in the FL Derby? Proof positive that you don't have to have perfect action in order to run successfully.

[Tucumcari]

Pletcher (Ithink) won impressively with one yesterday at SA watch the head on on Cal Racing... Ugly

[dance smartly]

I'm not sure how much this helps....

However...
I was working for a while with a horse who bowed a tendon breezing in Belmont. Mind you this horse is a 3yo gelding. So, I was trying to get him over it and back on the track *the bow is now a year old*. Anyways, He sits a little funny on his knees, so he kind of wings in. ESP at the trot. Also, though, when he's galloping/cantering, a lot of stress is put on his forelegs. (this is something you can sometimes train through, which we were trying to do)
Problem is, the way he moves cause him to pop a splint on the medial aspect of his left front (obviously) leg.
So thats one problem you might face.

[Mac]

many thanks again for sharing your experiences, everyone. I'll update all of you periodically regarding her progress and whether we can keep her sound.