It was in the video of AP working out. It was much looser than when I rode show hunters. Of course, race horses aren’t jumping, but I would still think it would be safer if there wasn’t as much dangle. Any particular rationale of which I’m not aware?
[QUOTE=m&m;8169147]
I no nothing, and AP’s rider and trainers know plenty, but I was worried watching his dangling breastplate. Normal?[/QUOTE]
That is too loose for me but unfortunately some trainers do it that way.
[QUOTE=m&m;8169147]
I no nothing, and AP’s rider and trainers know plenty, but I was worried watching his dangling breastplate. Normal?[/QUOTE]
It’s not a breastplate, it’s a yoke. You don’t want the yoke tight or snug when galloping fast or working.
[QUOTE=Angelico;8171410]
It’s not a breastplate, it’s a yoke. You don’t want the yoke tight or snug when galloping fast or working.[/QUOTE]
What does the yoke do, besides flop back and forth and hit the horse in the knees?
[QUOTE=GypsyLover;8171490]
What does the yoke do, besides flop back and forth and hit the horse in the knees?[/QUOTE]
It is what the rings attach to on regular gallop or jog days, and a lot of riders like to use them as a grab strap, especially for gate work.
Being too tight and looped about 8 inches below the belly line are two entirely different things.
[QUOTE=Calamber;8171716]
Being too tight and looped about 8 inches below the belly line are two entirely different things.[/QUOTE]
I think you are looking at the bottom part of the loop that the girth goes through…
I also don’t think many of you realize just how much a horse’s shoulders and chest move when they are galloping.
Same question came up in 2011.
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-327386.html
When I was riding I used just the collar at the gallop. I gripped the collar and strip of mane simultaneously. As suggested in the above link, it was definitely my “oh sh!t strap” with our green horses.
Some years back, someone mentioned to me that the bib was maintain “loose” to limit rubbing and discomfort to the horse. Made sense to me back then, but now I’m not sure.
I rewatched the video, and the way the yoke is adjusted, his shoulders and chest have plenty of freedom, but at all times, there is plenty of dangling - it’s not like at some point of his stride it’s less so. Not an expert, just sayin’.
The yoke seems pretty pointless to me. If there are no rings attached, then no need for a breastplate. It the rider wants something to hold on to, then a simple neck strap over the neck would suffice, without anything dangling between the horse’s legs.
But I imagine it has a lot to do with force of habit when tacking up.
I think right now that if I were going to pick just on pedigree, I’d go with Carpe Diem because of his dam line. Made from Lucky also has an impressive damline. For overall pedigree for distance, I really like The Truth or Else.
Sometimes riders can also pull on the yoke and leave a horse’s mouth alone when trying to work a horse and keep them relaxed and get in stride. I do not think a neck strap works the same way–too much movement perhaps? I would rather have a yoke myself. I also don’t like a breast plate as you don’t have the ability to lift your hands and stay even with the mouth with a finger still in a breast plate but you can with a yoke. I suspect a breast plate can also restrict the shoulders. But I really always loved a yoke.
Woah!! Was not expecting that. I see The Truth Or Else is also out. I was just wondering if anyone would be scratching.
Anyway, matched up fairly American Pharoah would likely dominate every single horse in this field. With the extra distance and his recent races, it gives the competition an edge on him that I think they otherwise might not have had.
AP’s final work before his trip to NY:
http://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Final_work_for_American_Pharoah_before_the_Belmont_VIDEO_123#
Got my AP nail polish on, I’m ready! LOL
eta: Tale of Verve, Frammento Breeze:
http://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Tale_of_Verve_Frammento_Breeze_for_Belmont_Stakes_123
[QUOTE=vineyridge;8172270]
I think right now that if I were going to pick just on pedigree, I’d go with Carpe Diem because of his dam line. Made from Lucky also has an impressive damline. For overall pedigree for distance, I really like The Truth or Else.[/QUOTE]
Boy are you the kiss of death! LOL. I hope you don’t “like” anyone else right out of the race. 
[QUOTE=vineyridge;8172270]
I think right now that if I were going to pick just on pedigree, I’d go with Carpe Diem because of his dam line. Made from Lucky also has an impressive damline. For overall pedigree for distance, I really like The Truth or Else.[/QUOTE]
Made from Lucky was by far the most anxious in the paddock at Oaklawn in April. I was there that day, and his kicks were ringing out like gunshots as he hit the wall. Might have been just one bad day, but it made me question his crowd-handling ability at a circus like the Derby - or like the Belmont is apt to be with the TC-possibility crowd. Might not be relevant to his performance at all, but it did make me mark him down as a possible candidate for losing it in the paddock under enough pressure.
AP was exactly the opposite in the paddock that day, even when pulled out of line for a tack adjustment and having to stand for a few minutes while everybody else kept walking. Eager but composed. He wasn’t watching the crowd; he was looking up the tunnel toward the track, but he was obviously keeping a lid on himself until time to let it go.
Post Positions up!
- Mubtaahij (126) Ortiz Jr./de Kock
- Tale of Verve (126) Stevens/Stewart
- Madefromlucky (126) Castellano/Pletcher
- Frammento (126) Smith/Zito
- American Pharoah (126) Espinoza/Baffert
- Frosted (126) Rosario/McLaughlin
- Keen Ice (126) Desormeaux/Romans
- Materiality (126) Velazquez/Pletcher
[QUOTE=dressagetraks;8175627]
AP was exactly the opposite in the paddock that day, even when pulled out of line for a tack adjustment and having to stand for a few minutes while everybody else kept walking. Eager but composed. He wasn’t watching the crowd; he was looking up the tunnel toward the track, but he was obviously keeping a lid on himself until time to let it go.[/QUOTE]
My horse is the same female family and I finally realized watching the Preakness AP has a very similar head, and I think the brain inside goes with it–very much not into wasting energy losing his mind. If nothing else that keeps them sounder longer because they don’t do stupid things first, think later.
The connections have to be loving the field size. I knew small favors the TC but hadn’t realized, eight is the largest field size of any TC win (Slew and Citation. The smallest is three, the average is five, which is what Affirmed and Secretariat had.) Nine or more, no Triple Crown. Bet they’re doing a rain dance, too.
[QUOTE=Angelico;8172045]
I think you are looking at the bottom part of the loop that the girth goes through…
I also don’t think many of you realize just how much a horse’s shoulders and chest move when they are galloping.[/QUOTE]
I do, and I train from both their back and on the ground. IMO and experience is it entirely too loose. But I see a lot of horses sent out “rigged” that way. Along with lots of fleece which IMO serves no purpose other than to make them look like a “parade horse”
But like a lot of things horse to each their own.
