How are horses trained?

Here's more I didn't know about until this morning! I visited my little horsey at Sheena West's yard (I now know she doesn't eat carrots, apples, or Polos, so she's a very cheap date!) and we were talking about the Michael Wigham case, when she pointed to a medication list on the tackroom wall. Jinny, you know what - you trainers are worth every red cent! So many rules and regs to keep abreast of, and not fall foul of! She said that all medications given to the horses must be noted on the medication list: the product, the horse's name, when started, how many doses, when finished, by whom, and signed off. Then she said that if one of the columns isn't filled in, the BHA has the right to fine the trainer £300 per column for every omission! That's going to mean Nicky Henderson raiding his piggy-bank pretty soon, I reckon!

So much to keep records of, and correctly, and so much to know - I forgot to bring back my Racing Calendar, but that's quite a publication, too! There really is a huge amount for trainers to know, but when it comes down to basing what they do on their pedigrees, what they cost, or who their sire was, Sheena says the most important thing is, never mind all that: "Can it run or not?" - and that's up to the trainer to find out!
 
I know - that's got to be something! Sheenz and I did talk over public liability, though, which fortunately her Dad, who's taking a quarter share in the filly, already qualifies for as a member of the Racehorse Owners' Association. Sheena has her trainer's liability insurance, too. Following the Chris Kinane disaster, the guy who paid for a share in what was something like a £6,000 racehorse, has been sued for £10 million (presumably an action brought against all the horse's owners). Up to date, he's lost his business, his house, and pretty much everything he had. Not what you have in mind when you stand admiring your one-third share of a horse in the parade ring, is it?
 
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