Hialeah Park offers glamour, purses and a dose of history.

The color and flash of racing at Hialeah Park.

The opening weekend at Hialeah is in the books, but the meet — and the latest chapter in American Quarter Horse racing — is just beginning. The track will host racing four days a week through February 2. During that time, they will give out $4 million in purses to those who show up to take advantage of it. They also have 23 stakes races, including the $100,000-added Hialeah Laddie, Hialeah Lassie and South Florida Derby. And, with the success of this meet, the sport may be poised to develop a year-round circuit fueled by alternative gaming money.

The track, generally known as one of the most beautiful racetracks ever built in the United States, features 10×10′ temporary stalls for horses with lots of air ventilation for the warm Florida weather. The track itself has a long history of being Read the rest of this entry »

Learn how to get your horse to lower his head.

By Dennis Brouse

Whether you’re working with a colt or an experienced horse, getting him to lower his head is important for both your safety and the horse’s. Horses communicate mainly through body language. When a horse lowers his head, he’s telling you he’s relaxed and comfortable. When a horse’s head is up high, he’s saying, “I’m nervous and agitated.”

Before you begin teaching your horse to lower his head, it’s important to work with him in the round pen to establish leadership, respect and communication – the three critical foundations of all training.

Once you’ve established these three foundations, I recommend using a reward system to help your horse learn to lower his head.

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A record crowd heads to Hialeah Park to see American Quarter Horse racing.

American Quarter Horses race at Hialeah Park.

A crowd of nearly 27,000 people flocked to watch the opening day of American Quarter Horse racing at the historic Hialeah Park Race Track near Miami, Florida, on November 28, and when the gates clanged open for the very first race, the standing-room-only crowd roared in appreciation. It was one of the largest opening days in American Quarter Horse racing history.

The track, which originally opened in 1925 and is the site of many legendary Thoroughbred races. For decades, it was the place for the rich and famous to see and be seen. Hialeah Park, famous for its flock of flamingoes, closed in 2001. With the summer announcement of the upcoming American Quarter Horse meet, workers began repairing the track which had fallen Read the rest of this entry »

The deadline to file Stallion Breeding Reports for 2009 or to enroll stallions in the Incentive Fund for 2010 is November 30.

The Incentive Fund deadline for stallion enrollments for the 2010 season is coming up November 30. Owners can call to enroll if they choose; or they can fax their enrollments to (806) 349-6407; or mail them to our office making sure they are postmarked by November 30.

The deadline to file 2009 stallion breeding reports is also November 30. Filing a report on-line is quick and easy. It allows stallion owners to get their pre-printed breeder’s certificates back from AQHA quickly. Tammy Canida will answer e-mails until midnight central standard time on November 30 to assist anyone having difficulties getting it done. The e-mail address for on-line stallion breeding report filing assistance is sbr@aqha.org.

Registration applications submitted on-line are processed within two working days. Go to aqhamembers.com to register your foals.

In honor of Thanksgiving, America’s Horse Daily is taking the week off. In the meantime, tell us what you’re thankful for! We’ll resume posts and newsletters on November 30.

America’s Horse Daily and AQHA wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We hope you’ll take a moment out of your busy schedule and tell us what you’re grateful for this year.

We are grateful for all of our fans and readers who follow and comment on our posts.

Here are a few things AQHA employees are thankful for this year:

“Besides the many blessings we are afforded, I am especially thankful for the AQHA family. Our members have proven time and time again they will respond when needed, whether it be a natural disaster affecting horse owners in a particular area, a member suffering an illness or injury, or helping a fellow Read the rest of this entry »

A frustrated horse owner seeks out options for her gastric ulcer-suffering horse.

Question:

I purchased a 6-year-old Quarter Horse two years ago that was treated for ulcers with Tagamet and then colicked a few months later. He was taken to Cornell University and after being scoped, was diagnosed with having a few Grade 1 ulcers with evidence of healed ulcers. He continued to colic occasionally, which I later realized was due to not getting enough of the Tagament. I consulted with my veterinarian and decided to switch him to Zantac. We also switched him to a senior feed, as recommended by Cornell, to help reduce the acid in his stomach. He continued to do well on the Zantac, gaining weight and Read the rest of this entry »

How to be prepared for and deal with a horse affected by HYPP.

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis is a serious muscle deficiency in horses that causes muscle twitching, weakness and more.

Learn all about this dominant genetic disease in AQHA’s FREE HYPP Survival Guide report.

In 1996, AQHA designated HYPP a genetic defect and undesirable trait. Two years later, the Association added that all Impressive-descendent foals born after January 1, 1998, were required to be tested for the disease, with the results placed on the registration certificate. Since 2007, any horses tested as H/H are not accepted for registration with AQHA. Find out why in the HYPP Survival Guide.

Also in this detailed report,  you’ll learn:

• Definitions of HYPP’s three designations: H/H, N/H, and N/N.

• Symptoms of HYPP

• Prevention tips

• Signs of an attack and what to do to keep your horse safe

• Feeding suggestions for HYPP-positive horses

• How to test your horse for HYPP

The most-common symptoms of HYPP include muscle tremors, weakness, muscle cramping, yawning, depression, an inability to relax the muscles, sweating, prolapse of the third eyelid, noisy breathing and/or abnormal sounds or whinnies.

HYPP cases usually start with muscle weakness and prolapse of the third eyelid, sweating and minor tremors most commonly in the flank, neck and shoulders.

More severe attacks can involve severe weakness, high heart and respitory rate, staggering, dog sitting and collapse. In its most extreme form, HYPP can lead to collapse and death, usually from a heart attack or respiratory failure.

Be prepared for situations involving HYPP-positive horses by downloading the HYPP Survival Guide today. This FREE report will give you the knowledge to identify symptoms and react accordingly to a horse experiencing an attack. You’ll also learn steps to preventing HYPP attacks, such as stopping frequently on road trips to give your horses a break and reduce their stress levels.

Rita Crundwell is the OKC Leading Owner for the 2009 AQHA World Championship Show.

Rita Crundwell is the 2009 Oklahoma City Leading Owner at the AQHA World Championship Show. (Journal photo)

A total of 20 horses entered in 38 amateur and open classes earned seven 2009 AQHA world championships and five reserves, all owned by Rita Crundwell of Dixon, Illinois, the 2009 Oklahoma City Leading Owner award winner at the 2009 World Show. A 20-year cumulative breeder of American Quarter Horses, Rita has won this award six times.

Her 2009 world champions were:

• Acoolest – open and amateur world champion aged stallion
• I Execute Class – open and amateur world champion yearling mare
• Good I Will Be – amateur world champion performance halter stallion
• Pizzazzy Lady – open and amateur world champion aged mare

Check out the photos below from Day 16 of the 2009 AQHA World Championship Show (click on the photo to see the captions). For more coverage of the World Show, go to www.aqha.com.

Check out the photos below from Day 15 of the 2009 AQHA World Championship Show (click on the photo to see the captions). For more coverage of the World Show, go to www.aqha.com.

Team Wrangler rides again!

The 2009 Team Wrangler members toss T-shirts to the crowd during the evening finals November 19 at the AQHA World Championship Show. (Journal photo)

The 2009 Team Wrangler competition wrapped up with Team Cowboy Cut on top. The exhibitors on that team bagged 800 credits during the 2009 show and racing season. Team Riata came in second and Team 20X finished third.

Team Wrangler is a year-long competition featuring the leading point-earning AQHA Professional Horsemen from racing and Read the rest of this entry »

Why gelding your stallion is an important part of responsible horse ownership.

The old adage is true - a good stallion makes an even better gelding.

By Dr. Thomas Lenz in The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal

Because a stallion has the potential to sire hundreds of foals, the decision to geld a colt is especially important.

My father was in the commercial cattle business, and he always said, “It takes a good bull calf to make a good steer.” We always picked out the best bull calf to castrate and show in our 4-H steer classes. I have the same opinion on horses: Generally less than 1 percent of each year’s colt crop is good enough to become breeding stallions.

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Check out the photos below from Day 14 of the 2009 AQHA World Championship Show (click on the photo to see the captions). For more coverage of the World Show, go to www.aqha.com.

Say what? The world champion T-shirts say something different for each class.

AQHA Professional Horseman Rusty Green tosses his signed world champion T-shirts to the crowd during his victory lap on Certainly Inspired - they won the 2009 2-year-old western pleasure world championship (Journal photo)

As part of the awards presentation, each new world champion signs four T-shirts and throws them to the crowd during the victory lap. Who catches them depends on the champ’s throwing arm and how loud the crowd cheers and waves to get the thrower’s attention. They are unique: The only place you get them is after an AQHA world championship.

They also have sayings that change with the class. Here are a few of them:

Hunt seat equitation – “Best seat in the house”

Working hunter – “Glad I’m working”

Trail – “Put your left hoof in; take your left hoof out” or “Don’t tick this”

Jumping – “Just get over it”

Tie-down roping – “I followed that cow on Twitter”

Ranch sorting – “It takes all sorts”

Pole bending – “No, Officer, I haven’t been drinking”

Working cow horse – “Will work for cow”

Western pleasure – “If you can read this, you’re too close”

Halter – “Stud muffin” or “As the hot walker turns”

Performance halter – “I’m not really a halter horse, I just play one on T.V.”

Reining – “Dirt surfing”

Pleasure driving – “I’m just here for the hats”

Featherlite All-Around Amateur and Featherlite Superhorse – “One horse to rule them ALL”

Legendary Hialeah Park will reopen its doors November 28, 2009.

The doors of legendary Hialeah Park Race Track are preparing to once again swing open to welcome horsemen and patrons for the first time in eight years. The inaugural American Quarter Horse meet at the track near Miami, Florida, begins November 28.

Hialeah Park, hailed as one of the most beautiful racetracks in the world and home to a legendary flock of flamingos, opened in 1925 and hosted some of the greatest horses in Thoroughbred racing history, such as Seabiscuit, Citation, Seattle Slew and Spectacular Bid. It was also the backdrop for a number of movies, such as the 1989 Richard Dreyfuss comedy “Let It Ride,” and has a cameo in the television show “Miami Vice’s” opening credits.

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