Question for Standardbred people

[Mara]

Ok, more than one, but I started the thread with this query on my mind.

I know that when a horse breaks stride during a race, that horse must go to the outside until they resume the correct gait. Is there a limit to the number of times one horse can break, or a certain distance/number of strides, before that horse is disqualified?

I was trying to explain to my SO the other night that these horses pace (or trot) a whole lot faster than they gallop, so breaking to a gallop is very definitely not an advantage.

Second, more general question - what are some good resources to learn more about harness racing? I found Harnesslinks the other day and was surprised to learn that apparently we had watched several important races the prior night. We’re both really enjoying watching the night racing on TVG and would like to become more educated.

[TKR]

I don’t have an answer for you, but your post reminded me of a time when I was 12-13 that I was riding a wonderful, generous, kind and wonderful Standardbred gelding that I just fell madly in love with and even had a bridle browband engraved with his name - “Stepper”. He was one of a kind, but that said - I believe these are wonderful horses that are so overlooked for riding horses. The trotters especially. I wonder why they aren’t used more by those who drive, especially for competition. I have a great fondness for the breed and always feel drawn to any that come in contact with me.

[jvanrens]

Actually some Pacers and trotters can gallop a whole lot faster than their racing gait, hence the rule to take them back when they break.

They don’t always go to the outside of the track, especially if they are caught on the rail when they run.

Wish I could give you advice on where to learn more, I learned the little I know the hard way, at the barn and on the backstretch. :winkgrin:

[2DogsFarm]

@TKR

I believe these are wonderful horses that are so overlooked for riding horses. The trotters especially. I wonder why they aren’t used more by those who drive, especially for competition. I have a great fondness for the breed and always feel drawn to any that come in contact with me.

I can answer part of your “Why not?”.
Because, in CDE, at higher levels (anything over Training) horses are allowed (& encouraged) to canter in the timed portions: Cones & Marathon.

Just for Funs:
Amish here used SBs almost exclusively until the DHH became popular.
Now there are tons of DHH & crosses on the roads & for sale as daily drivers.

Hackney Horses are now gaining popularity in the Amish community near me.
I expect those that don’t breed the $$$ horses will move them on to careers as family drivers.
I.E., I expect to see Hackneys & crosses on the roads in the coming years.
Hackney Ponies are already in use as Ladies drivers or School Ponies that take the kids to school.

[Texel]

There is a surprisingly strong contingent of harness racing folks on Twitter if that’s your thing. Great, tight-knit community.

[sk_pacer]

Breaking rule (slightly paraphrased to save space) - Any horse that breaks stride must take back and lose ground. SO, getting out of the way is important but the losing ground is what must happen. Yes, there is a limit to breaks, not in one race but if a horse runs, the next race must be a clean line or the horse must qualify; the only thing that may allow a break is bad track conditions such as sloppy or heavy as some horses cannot stand mud hitting them and some have an aversion to getting wet.

Resources - both Standardbred Canada and the US Trotting Association have resource pages. There are also facebook groups but some are pretty specific to topics and you must be invited, but does no harm to look around

As to pace and trot, they can do their race gait faster than most other horses can gallop, TBs aside. They can also gallop pretty damned fast - outrun most other breeds.

[ravenclaw]

If a horse breaks stride in a race, does that mean there’s no way they can win the race?

When I was a kid, there was a horse at the barn where I rode that was either a STB or a STB/TB cross. I got to ride him several times and he was awesome. So sweet and willing to do anything. He was also a good jumper. I have very fond memories of him.

[sk_pacer]

@ravenclaw

If a horse breaks stride in a race, does that mean there’s no way they can win the race?

When I was a kid, there was a horse at the barn where I rode that was either a STB or a STB/TB cross. I got to ride him several times and he was awesome. So sweet and willing to do anything. He was also a good jumper. I have very fond memories of him.

No, they can win, and I have seen it - the breaking rule just says the horse must take back and lose ground, there is no regulation on how much ground, but usually until he is at the back of the pack but, again, variations come into play -

[Mara]

@sk_pacer

No, they can win, and I have seen it - the breaking rule just says the horse must take back and lose ground, there is no regulation on how much ground, but usually until he is at the back of the pack but, again, variations come into play -

Thanks for the information!

Can you explain how the open-lane rule works on tracks that have it?

[sk_pacer]

@Mara

Thanks for the information!

Can you explain how the open-lane rule works on tracks that have it?

taking a guess at this that the open lane you are referring to is the lane inside the pylons. If a horse close to that lane breaks, they are allowed to use it to get out of the way but still must lose ground and must exit to the track proper as soon as clearance exists