Backyard Race Horse: The Training Manual a Comprehensive Off-Track Program for Owners
Product Description
“Backyard Race Horse” helps readers make the dream of owning a racehorse and of participating in the thrill and pageantry of the race track come true. This book guides readers through the process, giving them an honest p… More >>
Backyard Race Horse: The Training Manual a Comprehensive Off-Track Program for Owners
Great little handbook, especially helpful in the area of medications for racehorses. Very useful!
Rating: 4 / 5
I respectfully differ with the last prior review. Back Yard Race Horse very truly does aim itself more toward the horse racing novice, but that seems to be an intent, rather than a fault. The book is just superb in its all inclusive information on every aspect of horse care, training, and the race track. And for the experienced trackster Ms. De Castillo at the very least will provide you with comparative information by which you may either agree or disagree or evaluate your own program. Backyard Race Horse additionally sets out a program for those who are unable to train at the racetrack, and as such, rather than being pretentious or pushing a program, merely sets out the backyard experience of its author. She shows how she did it, and demonstrates that it can be done. And finally, and most valuably Ms. De Castillo pioneers the benefits to horse racing of recruiting the hundreds of thousands of potential backyarders into the sport. This is an excellent book, well written, informative, and highly recommended.
Rating: 4 / 5
The book gives practical advice and how to for training a race horse. The author really understands horses and gives logical advice on how to care for them in order to get the most out of them without breaking them down.
Rating: 5 / 5
I found this book to be honest, informative, and excellent. I don’t own racehorses, but if I did I am sure Janet Del Castillo’s method and advice would be excellent and very helpful. I especially was pleased with her remarks of “this is what works for me, but it more important that you find what works best for you and your horses”. I find that refreshingly honest; many trainers seems to always say “this is the only right way, everything else is not” while Janet Del Castillo simply shares her experiences and offers ideas more than writing anything in concrete. I also like the explanation of what the various legal drugs used on racehorses can do to the horses.
I find the review of “a reader” to be a little odd. They remark that Janet Del Castillo “only had one big winner” so her methods are faulty and useless. However, realistically the fact that she had a stakes winner as well as managed to keep her family fed and taken care of by racing horses that lasted for years is outstanding! Only about 7% of ALL Thoroughbreds to reach the track ever compete at stakes levels, fewer still actually win them! The other 93% are Allowance and Claimers. Honestly, how many trainers even get 1 big horse? Aside from those employed or possessing a great deal of money (as in the millions of dollars) and can afford to buy horses for huge sums of money, most trainers never get a stakes horses. Why do you think the big names at the Kentucky Derby and other such races are always the same? They are the ones that can afford to pay the large entrance fees, purchase large groups of young horses to find that one good horse, and can discard the others. Most of the Thoroughbred industry cannot.
So I personally admire Janet Del Castillo and her methods: she races sound, tough horses that usually seem to pay for themselves and keep her in the clear as well! If I ever have the pleasure of owning a racehorse or two, I will definitely use her methods for my horses!
Rating: 5 / 5
This book was a waste of my time. I bought it expecting to recieve instruction on how I, a small time horse owner, could train a racehorse. Instead I got a book full of common knowledge and no useful information. Anyone who has horses already knows most of what’s in that so-called “manual”. It also gave no alternative for people who don’t have orange groves to gallop horses through. Instead of buying a book by a woman who’s only had one big winner, buy a book that will actually give you insight on training your backyard racehorse.
Rating: 1 / 5