HORSEPLOP.COM
General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: andrew on September 13, 2026, 10:27:24 AM
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been watching a lot of mic'd up drives on youtube. for whatever reason i have never thought of tis before.
these drivers sitting in a sulky with no back support, day after day jogging, qualify, race time on the track for x amount of time before the race then the race
i realize most are younger and in better shape than myself
but wonder doing this in some cases every day of the year
how much it can cause back issues
curious
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A good majority end up with back issues and failed surgeries
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A good majority end up with back issues and failed surgeries
ask Stanley Dancer--he could barely walk the last few years of his life
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A lot get hooked on Oxy's
If they ever started drug testing rather than breath testing, you would see it!
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If they ever started drug testing rather than breath testing, you would see it!
They do drug testing.
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It looks really uncomfortable. Many years ago a friend wanted me to go to Showplace farms. He had horses their. He said I could go in the jog cart with his trainer. I declined and don't regret it.
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As an owner who jogged about 300 mostly bombproof horses to a jog cart, there was no issue if the horse took a bit of a hold- actually comfortable and relaxing, esp if they trotted.
BUT, having never sat behind a puller or a runaway, much less follow at race speed directly behind another horse, I am sure it takes its toll, esp if it is a continuous struggle with a horse that won’t relax.
If you ever have the opportunity, try it with a horse the trainer knows is reliably calm.
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My personal experience.
It is harder on your back to jog a horse then to race a horse.
When jogging all your upper body weight is all on your spine.
When racing your back muscles are tigher and take some of the weight off your spine.
IMHO
The 2nd trainer that bounces along on a jog cart all morning long is the one that gets the worst of it.