sk_pacer, thanks!
I think I’ve seen the water hook, just didn’t know it was called that. Not that familiar with harnesses in the first place, and of those, more heavy harness (drafts) than light horses.
I will check those out 
Water hook can also be called the check hook.
[QUOTE=sk_pacer;8512125]
The mare is RJs Irish Lassie. She is listed as roan but with Admirals Galley as a sire, someone goofed with her colour.[/QUOTE]
Thanks! Now I can go look for her.
[QUOTE=sonomacounty;8514561]
Water hook can also be called the check hook.[/QUOTE]
yabut…I am old!!! ROFL
at one time, they were listed in repair lists as water hooks only. In more recent times, Zilco added it’s own version, just a screw in bit with a three quarter circle, a rather odd looking thing.
“I am old!!! ROFL”
I’d called it wise, experienced and knowledgeable, instead. :yes:
(I’m old too. And physically broken, alas.)
I remember “water hook” and I was thinking maybe that is still the term still used/preferred in your region.
WMW, the “water hook” term comes from having to uncheck your horse to water them.
Thank you sonomacounty for the explanation of what how that particular doodad got its name and makes perfect sense!
[QUOTE=sonomacounty;8516247]
“I am old!!! ROFL”
I’d called it wise, experienced and knowledgeable, instead. :yes:
(I’m old too. And physically broken, alas.)
I remember “water hook” and I was thinking maybe that is still the term still used/preferred in your region.
WMW, the “water hook” term comes from having to uncheck your horse to water them.[/QUOTE]
I learned the term ages ago and then did some work with a harness maker and water hook was the term listed in the hardware section of the catalogues so the term stuck, and apparently permanently Never thought about putting in the reason for the term despite the fact that info was pounded into my head so to speak
I am broken as well…and it isn’t fun but I can still drive the truck and tractor even if I have to use an extra leg. Did have to give up the standard transmission vehicles though - kinda hard pushing in a clutch with a nearly unbendable left leg
Out of curiosity - at liberty, how does a STB hold their head… up or more level? Which, I guess, is an indirect way of asking what the purpose of the overcheck is in today’s racing STB? I know to hold the head up, but why? Keep the reins straight? Trot/pace faster with it up?
Head carriage depends on how the horse is put together - some carry high, others lower and more level.
The purpose of the check is to give the horse something to balance against at speed, rarely do you find a horse racing without one; lots jog without one but cant hold speed without being checked up - they tend to throw in steps and can be generally unbalanced. This piece of equipment must be adjusted carefully depending on the horse’s natural way of going as well as other things mentioned previously.
The original purpose of the overcheck was to keep from fouling the lines on the shafts of the conveyance, be it buggy or cart and the check only had to be tight enough to keep the horse from getting its head down to shaft level, not so tight the horse was uncomfortable.
Interesting that the overcheck has changed in function from the ‘keep the reins’ in the “right” place to being used to help the horse balance as they trot/pace.
I figured the part about being used to keep the head up and keeping the reins clear of the shafts. Didn’t know how important it was in helping the horse balance. Another thing for me to watch for when they’re racing; Meadowlands is tonight and they usually fairly full cards.
WMW - would you keep an eye on the 10th for a mare called Caviart Shelly? She is trained by a friend of mine. I cant watch the races because it eats up the data and besides, I have to watch New Tricks!!!LOL
Sorry about your leg/knee there, SK!! Good for you for keeping going!
I believe overchecks also held prevent choking down.
(Just have to say, I know there are good reasons for a tighter check but I always prefer as looser when they can. It just seems more comfortable.)
CHOKED DOWN
When a driver tries to get a horse to a slowed rate, he or she will sometimes pull its head back, unintentionally cutting off its breathing. This can cause the horse to lose consciousness and collapse on to the track.
They may wear a choke down plate to help prevent this.
http://www.bigdweb.com/mobile/Protecto-Anti-Choke/productinfo/P59/
oh, and
“at liberty, how does a STB hold their head… up or more level?”
Imo, on the high side, generally. Again, imo.
(So much fun to have WMW as a new stb fan!)
sk_pacer - I’ll do my best… those STB racers are tough (as I’ve said)… I do like the shorter amount of time between races (and some of them seem to run every week or so).
Meadowlands in the 10th…
sonomacounty - it is fun learning a new discipline. I do love the TBs but having fun learning about the STBs… and more fun to watching knowing a bit more about what’s going on other than which legs are going forward
Tough race. Caviart Shelly ended up with PP 9… broke well, was second to last on the rail going into the first turn. Down the back, went outside and made some progress (a few spots). Turning down the stretch, she wasn’t really able to keep up and as she crossed the wire. again second to last, she looked like she might have been eased a bit before the wire. Purity won.
And forgot to say, I like the purple bike. Would have been enough for me to put down a few $ for a ticket to at least show 
WMW - what is eased? Not at all familiar with that term. I figured it would be tough for her, even if it is Big M’s version on non-winners of a ham sandwich. Second start this year so she was likely short…not that Ray and Larry send to many out that way but it does happen. Going to look at the lines later. thanks for the report.
sonomacounty - checks don’t help much with choking down if you have a dedicated puller, it is no fun to see the horse you are driving start staggering because it is choking and you have to let go all control to save you and the poor horse. That said, there are horses with some palate problems that something like a Raymond over check will help and before they became common, some people actually made their own cradle style over check device to try to stop a palate flip. For true chokers, a giant ketchup tin was the ‘weapon’ of choice - would punch a hole in each end, and thread the throatlatch through
Most carry their heads just about average…Mr Fussy would carry his high like his half arab half welsh buddy and Wallkicker holds his lower than average
SK, you are a wealth of info! Thanks.
“For true chokers, a giant ketchup tin was the ‘weapon’ of choice - would punch a hole in each end, and thread the throatlatch through.”
A choke down can, yes?
Last night there was a horse that had a line coming from the middle of the only-fronts trotting hobble, between the horses back leg and the driver was sitting on it. What would that be?
That cord could be the trip for a few things like blinds or ear plugs or it could be a tail tie or even a part of the trotting hopples - there is a strap that attaches to the bike. http://www.protectohorse.com/trop.htm
Yep, the choker can was around for ages before the anti-choke plates came along
[QUOTE=sk_pacer;8518217]
WMW - what is eased? Not at all familiar with that term.[/QUOTE]
Eased I might see on the TB side
She crossed the line well behind the “pack” and didn’t see to be driving as hard at the finish as the others (i.e., driver maybe backed off on pushing her hard to the wire). Make sense? (Like you know you aren’t going to win or hit the board so don’t let the horse slack off but no need to push them beyond what is needed). Not sure of the actual definition of “eased”.
She did seem like she was going to make some progress down the back and then faded again. Looked like, from what the commentators were saying, a bit of maybe tough company for her (she went off at 14 and out of 10, was sixth favorite so not a betting favorite.)
Just checked the chart and she was well back by the quarter and never did get closer than 5 lengths at the head of the stretch. I think she just plain stopped - in over her head or short…driver backs off and there are fines and at the least a driver must appear to be trying whether the horse tries or not.
sk, same with TB… the jock must try (they get really scrutinized if they pull a horse up with no sign of injury) but she just wasn’t driving hard when she crossed the wire. Down the back she was on camera but going around the turn, she was no longer visible until she crossed the wire much past most of the field…
I hope it was as you suspect and not some problem…
Tell your friend I like all the purple
