Companion animal

Question
I've got a rather strange question for a novel-in-progress.

I have heard that sometimes a goat or other smaller animal is used to help calm a high-strung horse. Is this ever done with thoroughbreds? If so, would said goat be able to accompany the horse to the stables at the racetrack for a major race (Arlington Million-type race)?  

Also, how many days prior to a big race would a horse arrive at the track? Would it depend on whether the horse was accustomed to the track? What would be the minimum?

Thanks for you help.

Deb

Answer
Deb

There are several Thoroughbred racehorses who have companions, ranging from chickens,cats or goats to miniature horses.  Generally it isn't a huge problem for the trainer to bring the copanions along with the racehorse when traveling for races,especially stake horses.  Track management is usually willing to bend over backwards for stake horses, in order to get them to run at their racetrack.  (big name horses bring in huge crowds)

You can bring a horse in for a race the actual day that he runs, if you so desire. When he actually has to be there varies from track to track, but usually you have to be on the grounds by 12:00 noon the day of the race.  If the horse is on Lasix, then he has to be on the grounds 4 hours prior to post time for his race.
You can bring horses in early, even a week or more for big races, as long as there is room somewhere for him.  Standard procedure is to call the Racing Secretary and talk to him, and then he'll talk to the stall manager, and find out where a stall is available, and for how long.  Every track has a receiving barn for ship-ins on the day of the race, but sometimes for longer stays, other arrangements will need to be made.
Most trainers determine when to arrive based on travel time.  If the horse is shipping locally, he may only ship the day of the race.  If he's going cross country, then he'll need to ship earlier, in order to have time to rest from the trip.
Of course, all of this depends on the horse, and his attitude towards shipping.  Some horses take several days to adjust to any change in environment.  In that case, you would either ship way in advance regardless of where you are coming from, and let him settle in, or at the very last minute, so that he has less time to fret.

Stephanie Frost
www.alchemybloodstock.com