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magical thyme

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26. I suspect it has as much to do with muscling and leg proportions as anything else

Sun May 5, 2013, 12:21 PM

May 2013

My old gelding had "show hunter" type gaits; smooth, "grass cutter," ground covering. Longer forearm, shorter cannon bones, and with t-bred type flat muscling. Very refined. And very, very fast and efficient. He just plain bogged down in mud. He hated it, but because he would feel panicky and could only flail helplessly while sinking deeper.

My filly, on the other hand, has "sport horse" type gaits. Longer cannon bones, shorter forearms, with slightly rounder movement. Also bunchier muscles, with a much more heavily muscled but. Less efficient than the old guy, with a shorter stride. Even unsound at 25 he could outrun her. But she powers through mud like it's nothing. She has so much push from behind that she punches deep holes into the pasture just walking long after the gelding (would have) even trotted and cantered without disturbing it.

The mudders learn to power through mud because they are able to. The horses that hate mud hate it because they feel bogged down.

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Orb comes from behind to win Kentucky Derby [View all] Omaha Steve May 2013 OP

ho-hum....a sport for the one percent. I ignore it. lastlib May 2013 #1

You're right...it's a pricey sport but a lot of things out of my reach snappyturtle May 2013 #3

Not necessarily. Le Taz Hot May 2013 #4

most of the bettors throwing away their money on wagers ARE average folks.... lastlib May 2013 #5

The pharmacist at our local mom n' pop pharmacy kurtzapril4 May 2013 #17

My father was part owner of a few horses. You don't know what you're talking about. Not everyone KittyWampus May 2013 #18

Interesting statement considering you're the first response to the post. (nt) Posteritatis May 2013 #28

Timing is everything............... lastlib May 2013 #32

A horse running for victory is one of the most magnificent sights ever! CaliforniaPeggy May 2013 #2

I'm with you Peggy! Auntie Bush May 2013 #8

everytime I see a horse race I remember Ruffian Skittles May 2013 #19

One of the horses was Charming Kitten. Shrike47 May 2013 #6

Have they shot him yet, or are they waiting? harmonicon May 2013 #7

This is uncalled for. CaliforniaPeggy May 2013 #9

I think horse racing is uncalled for. harmonicon May 2013 #10

They love to run. Racing is what they were born for. CaliforniaPeggy May 2013 #11

They love to run, but not to be whipped. harmonicon May 2013 #12

Horses are prey animals. The avg lifespan of a wild horse is 7 yrs. riderinthestorm May 2013 #13

There aren't really wild horses. harmonicon May 2013 #14

People have been racing their horses since horses were first ridden. riderinthestorm May 2013 #15

Wild domesticated horses are not wild animals. harmonicon May 2013 #16

"In normal life, horses don't break their legs." Kali May 2013 #20

True. Very sad but very true. riderinthestorm May 2013 #24

Unusual for a #16 position to win Churchill... Earth_First May 2013 #21

A horse of average speed, ... CRH May 2013 #22

sometimes the fastest horses can't power through the mud magical thyme May 2013 #23

I'm guessing this horse is a "mudder". He's learned how to tolerate muddy footing riderinthestorm May 2013 #25

I suspect it has as much to do with muscling and leg proportions as anything else magical thyme May 2013 #26

Good race; Go Orb and Shug McGaughey!! CountAllVotes May 2013 #27

But But But The TV Showed Doug's Kids In Their New Hot Tub! HangOnKids May 2013 #31

here's a link to the whole race: lovemydog May 2013 #29

My connection to Orb's connections. hay rick May 2013 #30

I Loved Orb In The Derby I Had Him In The Florida Derby HangOnKids May 2013 #33

The early pace was much faster than I expected. hay rick May 2013 #34