FOR THE LOVE OF THE HORSE CONTENTS
ABOUT US ...... 02
HORSES...... 03 Racehorses ...... 04 Pedigrees / naming horses ...... 06 How to measure a horse ...... 07 Breeds of horse ...... 08 Breeds: Height ...... 09 The horse and human skeleton ...... 10 The skeleton ...... 12 Colour me in ...... 13 Horses sense: sight ...... 14 Horses sense: sound ...... 16 Hearing ...... 17 Seeing and hearing: questions ...... 18 Horse teeth ...... 19 Horse and human teeth ...... 20 Teeth: questions ...... 22 Teeth: true and false ...... 23
A DAY AT THE RACES ...... 24 Getting to the races ...... 25 Design your own silks ...... 26 Jockey profile ...... 27 Why weight matters ...... 28 Fashion at the races ...... 29 What you will see at the races ...... 30 I spy at the racecourse ...... 32 You don’t have to own My name: your own pony to get to Spot the difference ...... 33 know and love horses. My school: Find the Golden Slipper winners ...... 34 Design your own trophy ...... 35 Inside, you can learn My favourite animal: about and enjoy Colour in the race finish ...... 36 the magic of the If I had a racehorse I would call it: thoroughbred horse. STABLES AND LIFE AFTER RACING ...... 37 My favourite activity: Life in the Stables ...... 38 What horses eat ...... 40 When I am older I want to be: A healthy diet ...... 41 What do racehorses do when they finish racing? ...... 42
01 ABOUT US
” A horse gallops Australian Turf Club prides itself on being a driving force behind the sustainability and growth of racing in Sydney. with his lungs, For everyone at Australian Turf Club, our members and perseveres with the people of New South Wales, horse racing is a source of inspiration that brings out the best in us – in character, his heart, and in manner and in style. We’ve been at the forefront wins with his of Sydney’s social scene for over a century and a half because we are where people come to experience the character city at its most sublime. ” – Federico Tesio With 110 racedays and host of hundreds of Business and Social events every year, each of our four destinations is uniquely exciting and the epicentre of a thriving community. We are committed to providing uniquely thrilling experiences, sustaining our sport and bringing together Sydneysiders from all walks of life. We want to bring out the very best in every person we interact with – our guests, our colleagues and our communities. Australian Turf Club is committed to expressing the character of racing as giving, compassionate and empathetic to the causes that concern our communities. In addition to the business offering, social responsibility and community initiatives provide another avenue for Australian Turf Club to make a positive contribution. The ATC Foundation (ABN: 74243827496) makes grants nationally to support charitable organisations working to benefit the community across a wide range of sectors and endeavours.
HORSES
02 RACEHORSES Colour of marking Picture Tally up the number you’ve seen (IIII = 4) BAY (b) A brown horse with a black All racehorses are the same breed - the Thoroughbred. All can be traced back to three mane and tail and black stallion imports from the Middle East in the 1700’s: lower legs The Godolphin Barb - The Byerley Turk - The Darley Arabian
BROWN (br) Male horses Colt (c) - Up to 3 years old The whole coat is brown, and the mane and tail too Horse (h) - 4 years and older that can still breed (also known as a stallion) Gelding (g) - A horse that has been castrated (can no longer breed)
Female horses CHESTNUT (ch) Filly (f) - Up to 3 years old A reddish or ginger coat Mare (m) - 4 years and over colour with a mane and tail to match
Thoroughbreds can be various colours, some with white markings on their face/legs. GREY (gr) Colour of marking Picture Tally up the number you’ve seen (IIII = 4) Grey horses vary from dark grey through to white as STRIPE the horse gets older A long thin white line down the centre of the face BLACK (bl) The whole coat, including legs, body and nose is black (not dark brown) BLAZE Similar to a stripe but STOCKING larger A white marking up to the knee
STAR SOCK A small shape of white on A shorter white marking the forehead up the leg
04 05 PEDIGREES / NAMING HORSES HOW TO MEASURE A HORSE
The pedigree of thoroughbred horses is very important and carefully recorded. The The highest point of a horse is the names of the sire (father) and the dam (mother) of a horse will often inspire the name of top of its head, called the poll. the horse, though sometimes names will come out of something different. As a horse can move its head up and down, it’s hard to accurately For example, Phar Lap’s name comes from the Thai word for Lightning, and was inspired measure from the ground to by his speed. the poll. So a horse’s height is measured from the ground to the CAN YOU MAKE YOUR OWN PEDIGREE CHART? withers (at the base of the neck), and is counted in hands. One hand Make up the name of a horse and then who their parents, and grandparents might be. is four inches (about 10 cm) and originally equated Don’t forget to do both sides of the family. to the width of a man’s hand. If a horse is more than Distance an exact number of hands high, the extra inches Here are some more examples of horse names to inspire you. from are given after a full stop. For example, 14 hands 2 withers to inches is written as 14.2 HH (hands high). Horse Parents Grandparents ground Flying Fox The Welkin Woodbury QUESTIONS Gloaming Eager 1. What is your own height in hands? ...... Light No Trumps 2. What is your own height in metres and centimetres?...... Star Kingdom Sunset Hue 3. What are the differences between the horse and yourself in hands and centimetres? Huala Gunsynd ...... Newtown Wonder Woodie Wonder Here are three horses at different ages. Woodstand FOAL YEARLING ADULT (1 month) (1 year old) RACEHORSE Danzig Danehill 2M Razyana 19.69HH Nothin’ Leica Dane Sir Tristram Leica Pretender 1M Pretend To Leica 9.84HH
...... 4. How tall is the foal? ...... 5. How tall is the yearling? ......
...... 6. How much does a horse grow between one month old and one year? ......
7. How much does a horse grow between the ages of one and adulthood? ......
06 07 BREEDS OF HORSE BREEDS: HEIGHT
The following exercise is based on the nine breeds pictured opposite.
1. Which is the smallest breed of horse? ......
2. Which is the tallest breed of horse? ......
3. On the number line below put the initial for each breed of horse. The thoroughbred has already been done for you.
ARAB: SHETLAND PONY: AUSTRALIAN STOCK HORSE: T 14.2HH 10.0HH 14.0HH
10HH 11HH 12HH 13HH 14HH 15HH 16HH 17HH 18HH 1.02m 1.12m 1.22m 1.32m 1.42m 1.52m 1.62m 1.72m 1.82m (to 2 decimal places)
Use your number line to answer the following questions:
CLYDESDALE: QUARTER HORSE: AUSTRALIAN RIDING PONY: 4. How many breeds are taller than the Australian Stock Horse? ...... 17.2HH 15HH 13.2HH 5. How many breeds are smaller than the Australian Riding Pony? ......
6. How many breeds are between 12 and 16 HH? ......
7. Divide the breeds into three groups, short, medium and tall.
Short: ......
Medium: ......
WARMBLOOD: BRUMBY: THOROUGHBRED: Tall: ...... 16.2HH 14.0HH 16.0HH 8. What fraction of the horses are 16 HH and over? ......
08 09 THE HORSE AND HUMAN SKELETONS
Tibia Radius and Fingers / Fingers / Fingers / Metacarpal Metatarsal and HUMAN Ankle Femur Fibula Toes Toes Toes Humerus bones bones Patella Pelvis Ulna Ribcage Scapula Skull Spine Wrist
HORSE Hock Femur Tibia Short Long Pedal Humerus Cannon Hind Patella Pelvis Radius Ribcage Scapula Skull Spine Knee and pastern pastern bone bone cannon and Fibula bone bone bone Ulna
10 11 THE SKELETON COLOUR ME IN!
Here’s a list of the names of some bones. HELMET Circle the bones that are found in both human and horse skeletons. SILKS GOOGLES BRIDLE Skull Femur MANE BREECHES TAIL Toe Humerus BLINKERS NECK SHEEPSKIN SADDLE NOSEBAND CLOTH Spine Hock NUMBER Ribcage Ankle Cannon bone Tibia Pelvis Scapula REIN HINDQUARTERS Pastern Wrist BIT Patella HOCK FETLOCK STIRRUP HOOF SHOULDER BOOT HOOF
KNEE GIRTH PASTERN
CAN YOU UNSCRAMBLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS? e.g. EANM = MANE
1. FOHO = ......
2. IGERN = ......
3. LIAT = ......
4. LDRIEB = ......
5. DEALDS = ......
Answers: Skull, Spine, Ribcage, Pelvis, Patella, Femur, Humerus, Tibia, Scapula Tibia, Humerus, Femur, Patella, Pelvis, Ribcage, Spine, Skull, Answers: SADDLE = DEALDS 5. BRIDLE, = LDRIEB 4. TAIL, = LIAT 3. REIGN, = IERN 2. Hoof, = FOHO 1. Answers:
12 13 14 and visibleto botheyes. distances unless theobjectisdirectly infront ofit its widefieldofvision,althoughitcannotjudge oval shapeofahorse’s pupilalsocontributes to just asmallturnofitsheadeven wheneating. The means that ithastheabilityto seeallaround with A horse’s eyes are setonthesidesofitshead. This predators approaching from alldirections. on, itneedsthewidest fieldofvision possible to see eating animal.Asitisalsoananimalthat ispreyed- A horse’s eyes are idealfor itsexistence asagrass- HOW HORSESSEE HORSES SENSE: SIGHT we canonly seewhat isaheadofus. means we are ableto judgedistances well, although everything withbotheyes simultaneouslywhich horse’s pupilsare oval, oursare round. We lookat and bodyto beableto seebehindus.Whereas a wide afieldofvisionsohave to move bothourhead situated at thefront ofourhead.We don’thave as Humans are classed aspredators andoureyes are HOW HUMANSSEE and blacklines. Now indicate thefieldofvision for theperson by colouring thearea between theblue This diagram shows ahorse’s fieldofvisionandwhat itseeswitheach eye. HORSE ANDHUMANFIELDOFVISION
AREA COVERED BY THE HORSE’S RIGHT EYE
AREA COVERED BY BOTH THEHORSE’SEYES AREA COVERED BY THE HORSE’S LEFT EYE LEFT HORSE’S THE BY COVERED AREA 15 HORSES SENSE: SOUND HEARING
Horses are very sensitive to sound and can hear high and low pitched noises that The position of a horse’s ears on the sides of its head means that it can hear nearly humans cannot hear. Their hearing is also sharper than that of humans: they hear things everything around it. Each ear can pick up sounds to the front and side which only before a human does and pick up sounds from further away. leaves a small gap directly behind it. However, a horse can cover this area too with a slight turn of its head, or by moving its ears.
THE LANGUAGE OF EARS HORSE AND HUMAN HEARING A horse’s ears are very expressive. Their position can tell us what sort of mood a horse is in. Here is a diagram showing the area covered by each ear. The area marked A is covered by both ears. Can you indicate the area covered by the man’s ears by colouring the area between the blue and black lines?
Sleepy, tired or submissive.
Alert and interested. (The expression ‘prick up your ears’ means here’s something interesting...)
Angry, Relaxed, unwell aggressive. or bored. A
16 17 SEEING AND HEARING: QUESTIONS HORSE TEETH
1 YEAR
3 YEARS
1. What do horses see compared to us? A horse has two sets of teeth during its life, just like a human. The first set (milk teeth) are replaced during the horse’s first 5 YEARS ...... few years by a second, permanent set, consisting of molars and incisors, although male horses also develop four canine teeth, ...... called tushes. A horse’s teeth continue to grow throughout its life and they may need to be filed to prevent sharp edges developing. Their molars are essential to grind down food......
One way to work out a horse’s age is by looking at its teeth. They ...... do not remain white all their lives, becoming yellow as they age. A horse will have lost its milk teeth by the time it is two years old 10 YEARS 2. What do horses hear and how? and the surface enamel of its permanent teeth will wear away as it gets older. The biting surfaces are called ‘tables’ and these ...... change shape from oval in a young horse to triangular and then almost square in later life. In a horse of around ten years of age, ...... a dark groove in the incisor is visible, called Galvayne’s Groove. This was named after an Australian horseman adept at ageing ...... a horse. As the horse gets older the groove will gradually move down the length of the tooth. Once horses reach about 25 years 15 YEARS ...... old, their teeth will slope forwards and can sometimes fall out.
20 YEARS
18 19 HORSE AND HUMAN TEETH
The diagrams show the jaws of a horse and a human.
CAN YOU LABEL THE TEETH? Incisors Premolars Molars Canines (also called tushes in male horses) HUMAN
HORSE
HUMAN
HORSE
20 21 TEETH: QUESTIONS TEETH: TRUE OR FALSE
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ARE TRUE?
1. An adult horse has at least 36 teeth. T F
2. A horse’s teeth continue to grow throughout its life. T F
3. There are ten incisors at the front of the horse’s mouth. T F
4. As a horse gets older, its teeth may wear unevenly causing sharp edges that can make eating difficult. T F
5. Horse’s teeth are made of the same material as human teeth. T F
6. A horse’s teeth remain white throughout its life. T F
7. Galvayne’s Groove is a large crack in the tooth that causes the horse a great deal of pain. T F
TEETH: COMPARING HORSES AND HUMANS 8. A horse loses all of its milk teeth by the age of two. T F 1. What similarities are there to your teeth? 9. ‘Tables’ are the biting surfaces of the teeth. T F ...... 10. Humans have the same number of teeth as horses. T F ...... 11. Horses and humans use molars for grinding food. T F 2. How do your teeth differ from a horse’s? 12. All horses have canine teeth (tushes). T F ......
......
3. Why do you think the horse’s teeth are large and flat?
......
......
4. How many incisors, canines, molars and premolars do horses and humans have?
...... Horses have been an important part of life from Colonial times. They were used for transport as well as for racing. In 1900, the number of people in NSW was FUN FACT 500,000. At the same time there were 481,417 horses......
22 23 GETTING TO THE RACES
This picture shows people arriving at the races via the tram and horse and carriage. This was the way lots of people got to the races in the old days.
A DAY HOW WOULD YOU GET TO THE RACES? Be as imaginative as you can (magic carpets are a valid means of travel).
......
AT THE ......
...... RACES ......
......
25 DESIGN YOUR OWN SILKS JOCKEY PROFILE: RACHEL KING
Rachel King always wanted to be a jockey and started riding as an amateur in 2006 in the UK. In 2014 she came to Australia on a working holiday. She has ridden in 14 different countries.
When and where were you born? 31 July 1990, Oxford UK
Which horse gave you your first win and where? Lady De Paris in 2007 at Tweseldown
Point to Point (jumps racing) in the UK
What is your normal riding weight? 50kg
Height? 5’1” / 1.55m
What is your favourite horse? Maid Of Heaven, my first G1 winner
If you could ride any horse, past or present, which would it be? Frankel
What is your must-see TV show? I’m watching Suits at the moment and enjoying that
What is your favourite music to listen to? Anything current
What is your favourite food? Chocolate!
What do you like to do in your down time? Spend time with my fiance Blake and our
two dogs
Do you follow sport teams? I find myself watching the Dragons as that is the team
Blake supports
What are your future goals in the saddle? Another G1 winner and a ride in the
Melbourne Cup
What was the best advice given to you? Do something you love every day and live life Jockeys wear colourful jackets called ‘Silks’ or ‘Colours’ which are designed by the racehorse’s owner. to the full
26 27 WHY WEIGHT MATTERS FASHION AT THE RACES
Imagine you are running in a race It is very important to dress up for the races. Fashion has changed over the years with your classmates and Olympic particularly for the ladies. Everyone used to wear a hat and women would wear gloves Champion Sprinter Usain Bolt. We too. Dressing to impress was of particular importance when the Queen visited. She has all know who would win the race! come to Randwick three times – once in 1954, then 1970 and finally in 1992. How could we make it fairer for you? Here is the Queen in 1992. We could slow Usain Bolt down by making him carry a heavy rucksack – that would give you a chance! Some racehorses, like Usain Bolt, are much better than their competitors. To give every horse an equal chance of winning, in some races the better horses carry more weight. This also makes the race more exciting to watch. So, before each race the Clerk of the Scales weighs every jockey and his equipment to make sure his horse carries the correct weight.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE How many differences can you find? (Clue: Jockey B is riding the faster horse!)
WHAT WOULD YOU WEAR TO THE RACES TO SEE THE QUEEN? Don’t forget to include a hat and colourful suits are encouraged for the boys.
......
......
......
......
...... 4. Has thicker clothes; 5.Weighs more; 6. Is wearing different coloured silks coloured different wearing Is 6. more; 5.Weighs clothes; thicker Has 4.
Answers: Jockey B: 1. Has a weight cloth with lead in it; 2. Has a heavier saddle; 3. Has heavier boots; boots; heavier Has 3. saddle; heavier a Has 2. it; in lead with cloth weight a Has 1. B: Jockey Answers: ......
28 29 WHAT YOU WILL SEE AT THE RACES
1. A steward – person in charge of the overall running of a race meeting, making sure every competitor follows the rules. 2. A starter – person in charge of starting the race. 7 3. Barriers – the starting line for the horses. 6 4. Veterinarian – an on-course 2 veterinarian is always available at the 13 9 races and will also stand behind the barriers at the beginning of a race to ensure each horse is fit and healthy 3 before it enters the gates. 10 5. Barrier attendant – person who helps 5 get the horses into the barriers. 8b 4 6. Track manager – person in charge of 1 taking care of the track surface and making sure it stays in top condition 12 for the races. 11 7. Race caller – a person who describes 8a the events before, during and after 14 a race. 8a. Saddling enclosure and 8b. Mounting yard – before the race, the Clerk of the Course has to get all the horses in number order in the pre- parade area (known as the saddling enclosure) and then guides them 9. Clerk of the Course – You can generally 12. Winners’ stall to the parade area (known as the spot the Clerk of the Course as he or mounting yard) to prepare for the 13. Winning Post – Finish line she wears a bright red uniform called race. At some racecourses, all the Hunting Pink, wears a black helmet – although they may not trainers, jockeys and owners gather 14. Crowd and rides a “grey” (refer to page 5. own a racehorse, people come from in this area to inspect their horses everywhere to enjoy the colour one last time before they go on to 10. Jockey – also known as a “hoop”. and excitement of watching the the track to race. People in the crowd Jockeys must be a certain weight to thoroughbred compete and the can also get closer to the horses be eligible to ride nominated horses in horsemanship of the jockey. before the race by inspecting from the specific races. outside of the mounting yard. After – person in charge of the race, the clerk guides the winning 11. Strapper grooming and parading the horse horse back to the mounting yard and before and after the race. winners’ stall.
30 31 I SPY AT THE RACECOURSE SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
TALLY UP YOUR POINTS AND TRY AND BEAT CAN YOU FIND ALL THE 7 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THESE TWO PICTURES OF A YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY CROWDED GRANDSTAND AT ROYAL RANDWICK RACECOURSE?
EXAMPLE: Binoculars 2points ...... IIIIIIII 8
Weighing Room 3points ......
Winning Post 4 points ......
Parade Ring 2 points ......
Binoculars 2 points ......
Chestnut racehorse 7 points ......
Racehorse with two socks 10 points ......
Jockey with a star on their colours 10 points ......
Red saddle 20 points ......
Black saddle 4points ......
Grey racehorse 15 points ......
White bridle 20 points ......
MY TOTAL ......
FUN FACT In NSW, horses race clockwise around the track. We think that we do this
because at the first race in 1810 the finishing post was positioned so that Mrs clouds. Different 7. missing, roof Grandstand 6. background, in taller Church 5. roof, marquee
Macquarie could sit and watch the race without the sun in her eyes. Yellow 4. missing, post winning behind Signs 3. umbrellas, Red 2. racing, horses No 1. Answers:
32 33 FIND THE GOLDEN SLIPPER WINNERS DESIGN YOUR OWN TROPHY
The Golden Slipper is an exciting race for young horses. It has a beautiful trophy and Trophies are given to the owners of a horse and to the gives all an opportunity to enjoy a wonderful day at the races. See if you can find all jockey and trainer. They can be quite simple or very these past winners of the race elaborate. Use the Longines Golden Slipper and Sydney Cup trophies as inspiration for your own design.
E L U S K I N S T A R F K H B Y Y Q H E M C B N R Y U S Q O 1866 Sydney Cup Trophy R C I N X I A U A P M O A O U B O K J O I T M M G U R Y F Q V S G S R I B A Y Z U X H Z P E A V C I I I R A P G E J L T R B N H J R R S W R T Q T O X T X S C J E D C H O L E L T R R O D I O M H A P W T D R U E E A D X W U L Y P L E J X R S S U S M Z D V I E P W F F V T K S J V A Y T E B B E S C O M F L S G S N C T R Z Y R G D V D D B D D Y I S T O Y S H O W B X H B O U N D I N G A W A Y
Bounding Away Luskin Star Vancouver Sir Dapper Baguette Toy Show Todman Marscay Catbird Prowl
Longines Golden Slipper Trophy
34 35 COLOUR IN THE RACE FINISH
STABLES AND LIFE AFTER RACING
36 HORSE AQUATHERAPY LIFE IN THE STABLES Numerous professional horse-training facilities use swimming for horses for fitness and rehabilitation from injuries. Horses need to be introduced to water gradually and when they are comfortable in the water it is good for their joints.
HOOF CARE The farrier is cleaning and shining the horses shoes. He is a specialist in equine hoof care, ensuring the balance of the horses’ hooves and the placing of shoes on their hooves.
HOSING DOWN Particularly on hot days, after exercise horses need hosing down as their muscles become extremely hot. To cool down an overheated horse, sponge/hose with cold water and scrape it off right away. This is repeated until the horse is cool.
38 39 WHAT HORSES EAT A HEALTHY DIET
The health of the horse is dependent on correct feeding. Overfeeding as well as underfeeding can lead to illness, just as it can in humans. A horse or pony needs to eat about 2.5% of its total body weight in feed every day.
1. The average racehorse weighs 500kg. How much food in kg would he need to eat each day?
......
2. An average 13HH pony weighs 300kg. How much food in kg would he need to eat each day?
......
The amount of food a horse or pony is fed also depends on the amount of exercise it is doing. Rather like a human athlete, a racehorse needs a lot of energy to train and perform at the level required to run in a race. To remain fit and healthy, humans and horses need to eat a balanced diet with the correct amounts of each of the food types. For this reason, a racehorse will need approximately 70% concentrates (e.g. oats, barley, maize), and 30% roughage (e.g. fibre, bran, hay). However, with a pony who is not Racehorses do a lot of fast work when training and racing so need a lot of working as hard, it is the other way round, i.e. approximately 70% roughage and 30% carbohydrates as they are a great source of energy. However, to be fit and healthy they concentrates. mustn’t carry too much fat.
3. So, if a racehorse needs twice as much protein and carbohydrate as fibre, and a CAN YOU DRAW LINES TO MATCH THE FOOD TYPES BELOW WITH THEIR USES AND pony needs twice as much fibre as carbohydrate and protein, can you complete the FUNCTIONS? following table to make up a balanced diet for each? 1. Protein a. maintenance, growth etc Pony Racehorse 2. Carbohydrates b. essential for well-being Body weight 300kg 500kg Total weight of feed per day kg kg 3. Fibre c. a store for carbohydrates under the skin Roughage (fibre) e.g. fibre, bran, hay kg kg 4. Vitamins and minerals d. energy for warmth and activity Concentrates (protein and carbohydrates) e.g. peas, kg kg beans, oats, barley, maize, linseed 5. Fats and oils e. bulk to help digestion
40 41 WHAT DO RACEHORSES DO WHEN THEY FINISH RACING? WHAT I HAVE LEARNED...
Racehorses go on to have all sorts of careers after their racing days......
MATCH THE ACTIVITIES RACEHORSES DO POST-RACING TO THE PICTURES...... Police horse Show horse Leisure riding ...... Polo Eventing Charities
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
Hint: Leisure and treasure Hint: Attending an event Hint: Policing around ......
1...... 2...... 3......
......
......
......
......
......
...... Hint: Marco polo Hint: Showing off Hint: Riding for the Disabled ...... 4...... 5...... 6......
......
...... Answers: 1. Leisure riding, 2. Eventing, 3. Police horse, 4. Polo, 5. Show horse, 6. Charities 6. horse, Show 5. Polo, 4. horse, Police 3. Eventing, 2. riding, Leisure 1. Answers:
42 43 THANK YOU to the following organisations in providing content for this book: australianturfclub.com.au