horse not responding in race

Question
QUESTION: hi sir. i have a doubt:

what does "horse is not responding to the jockey's urgings in the race" mean?

does it mean, the horse not changing its lead when rider whipping, or dropping back inspite of rider's efforts?

ANSWER: It means that the horse has either given up or is totally out of energy to finish strong regardless what the jockey does to encourage him. If the horse doesn't respond to whipping or any other type of urging the the jockey should not press further as it may cause to injury from over exertion.

Christopher Crocker

http://CrockerRacingStable.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: sir, then few horses doesn't even change their lead how many times the jockey is whipping the horse. may i know why?

Answer
A jockey should use his weight, leg, balance, rein handling and the horse's momentum to help a horse change leads. It is a technique that is mastered my the best jockeys around the world to be able to cause a horse to change a lead in perfect stride rhythm without impeding momentum or throwing the horse off balance. The whip is a very small part in getting a horse to change leads. Some horses will just know when hit on the left side, to go to the right lead and vice versa, but others just may refuse. There are multiple reasons a horse refuses to change leads. The horse may be hurting on the lead in which he refuses to switch to or may just favor that lead in which he like to hold. He may also just have a preference in which he feels most balance such as humans are right or left handed. It's possible even a vision problem which the horse wants to lead with it's stronger eye. It may even be a hereditary trait passed from a parent. A trainer should make sure that a sound horse is equally comfortable on each lead. A horse should switch leads as he tires. Many trainers will tell you that they don't care when and where the horse changes his leads, as long as he uses them equally.

Christopher Crocker

Crocker Racing Stable Inc.

http://CrockerRacingStable.com

Crocker Thoroughbred Horse Racing Partnerships