| Many handicappers don't pay attention to the | | | | or that it needed more support. I then look to see if |
| equipment that is being used on the horses they bet | | | | there have been any recent works, and if there have |
| on. In horse racing, a little thing like front wraps can | | | | been recent works, I look to see an improvement in |
| make a big difference, so it pays to pay attention to | | | | those works that may coincide with the traine adding |
| the details. First of all, let's be certain that we know | | | | the extra support. |
| what we are talking about. Bandages are sometimes | | | | In claiming races, the bandages may be a clever ruse |
| wrapped around the forelegs of horses when they | | | | by a wily trainer who is trying to win a race, but make |
| race. | | | | his charge look sore or injured so others won't claim it. |
| They can have a positive or negative effect. How | | | | Claiming a horse is always a guessing game and the |
| they affect the runner will depend upon the individual | | | | addition of front bandages can be one ploy used to |
| animal and what its physical condition is. Sometimes | | | | discourage would be claimers. The problem is, that you |
| those bandages are used for support. If in a previous | | | | never know whether it was a good thing or a bad |
| race the horse injured a tendon, then the addition of | | | | thing until the race is over and it is too late to put in a |
| the extra support can help it to feel more confident | | | | claiming ticket. |
| when it is running and therefore turn in a better | | | | Another time that the addition of "fronts" can be a |
| performance. | | | | problem is on an off track. If the surface is wet and |
| Some horses have a tendency to clip their foreleg | | | | muddy the cloth bandages may absorb moisture and |
| hocks with their hind hooves when they are running. | | | | make the horse's legs heavier so it has to work |
| Obviously, this is painful to the horse and also may | | | | harder. Some trainers will also wrap cellophane around |
| cause a cut or bruise that will slow the animal down. | | | | the bandages to keep them dry. If you spot a horse |
| The addition of some padding for protection can | | | | sporting them and it isn't waterproofed and the track is |
| cushion the blow so that it will not hamper the runner | | | | wet, I advise you to pass that one. And while we are |
| when it is extending itself. | | | | on the subject of wet tracks, let me pass along one |
| Of course, the addition of front wraps is not a good | | | | more tip. If a track is muddy or sloppy and the horse |
| sign and I would rather not see them on an animal I am | | | | has a long tail that isn't wrapped and tied, it is probably |
| planning to bet on, but they may actually improve | | | | not going to win and the trainer hasn't bothered to tie it |
| performance. When I see them on a horse I am | | | | because he or she knows that. A long tail that is |
| planning to bet on I look to see if there has been some | | | | covered in mud and heavy with moisture can be a |
| recent decline in its times or level of performance. For | | | | problem for some horses so a good trainer will usually |
| instance, let's say it had been winning races, but then | | | | tie them up if he or she is sending the horse for a win |
| seemed to slow down in its last few races. The trainer | | | | that day. |
| may have realized that the horse's front legs are sore | | | | |