Donna tells it like it is....

[slam dunk 1,317]

4 minutes ago, Midget said:

I didn't state the $50 a day FFS, I responded to someone who did use that figure and said there was a margin there. Please read the thread.

I'm sorry for telling the exact truth and ruining the story though.

FYI, yes some of us use a specialist hay grower who works at the Massey Vet Clinic, and might be described as a specialist, but who farms in Marton, and who grows hay on demand for special clients who want the hay cut at the right time to maximise nutritional value, but I suppose that might go over your head so let's agree that we'll ignore that and agree with you and your claims that hay is worth $12.....you get what you pay for in life....and you get out of a horse what you put in to it so good luck with your $12 hay.

To close, if they're sound and in full training horses get worked six days a week, presuming your trainer is an honest professional, I'm not sure who trains for you but I rather suspect he's/she's not doing well if they don't work their horses.

Over to you now, tell us how you cut corners and how well it all works out in the long run.

Interesting about the hay..

I  was at one time managing 45 horses mostly ponies but an assortment. It was winter time and rather  than have them cut up the paddocks had them them coralled in a a big yard whilst feeding hay. One of the horses I had recently received  was a total bag of bones and probably looked like it would collapse any time. Nevertheless I stuck a cover on him, drenched him and all that.

Now in the horse business you have always got trouble makers like this site would exemplify so it was no surprise that I was reported to the SPCA for cruelty on this one horse..

So the inspector came out and wanted to see this one horse. I agreed and after taking the cover off I was just as surprized as the inspector. The horse had blossomed and looked magnificent and this was in the middle off winter. The reason was the hay more correctly lucerne which came about as a second cut after the first cut was left on the ground. It just had all the nutrients required.

So in agreement I will say the spelling  of horses is just as important as the training.

[Leggy 3,037]

25 minutes ago, Midget said:

To close, if they're sound and in full training horses get worked six days a week, presuming your trainer is an honest professional, I'm not sure who trains for you but I rather suspect he's/she's not doing well if they don't work their horses.

Probably feed them on the seventh day as well, alongside saying their prayers (no charge for that).

[Leggy 3,037]

9 minutes ago, slam dunk said:

after the first cut was left on the ground.

Never heard of or seen that before. Say some more.

Presumably something to do with the rotten moulding first cut being raked up and baled with the second cut adding to its nutrient quality. No wonder the inspector was surprised that the horse was thriving. I probably would have been too.

[chevy86 2,022]

1 hour ago, Midget said:

I didn't state the $50 a day FFS, I responded to someone who did use that figure and said there was a margin there. Please read the thread.

I'm sorry for telling the exact truth and ruining the story though.

FYI, yes some of us use a specialist hay grower who works at the Massey Vet Clinic, and might be described as a specialist, but who farms in Marton, and who grows hay on demand for special clients who want the hay cut at the right time to maximise nutritional value, but I suppose that might go over your head so let's agree that we'll ignore that and agree with you and your claims that hay is worth $12.....you get what you pay for in life....and you get out of a horse what you put in to it so good luck with your $12 hay.

To close, if they're sound and in full training horses get worked six days a week, presuming your trainer is an honest professional, I'm not sure who trains for you but I rather suspect he's/she's not doing well if they don't work their horses.

Over to you now, tell us how you cut corners and how well it all works out in the long run.

Just putting forward an opposing view Midget--you really are an angry fellow. As the font of all knowledge I am perplexed as to why you even engage with all the dullards inhabiting this site. I'm guessing you would never go the distance in a Cambridge debate in spite of your obvious knowledge and occasional wit. Red-carded for sure.

No corners being cut and more than happy with the professionalism of my trainers, past and present.

[Midget 4,396]

3 hours ago, chevy86 said:

Just putting forward an opposing view Midget--you really are an angry fellow. As the font of all knowledge I am perplexed as to why you even engage with all the dullards inhabiting this site. I'm guessing you would never go the distance in a Cambridge debate in spite of your obvious knowledge and occasional wit. Red-carded for sure.

No corners being cut and more than happy with the professionalism of my trainers, past and present.

More frustrated than angry.

Even if you're correct, and a horse eats say 1/4 of a bale a day, the adjustment is say $1.50, so you're just nit picking rather than being constructive.

I deliberately didn't include things like raceday or trial staff costs ( both absorbed by the trainer normally but say $50 per horse per start ) because I didn't want to trivialize what I thought was an important issue, but you have so let's agree that you win this argument and I won't contribute further with any facts.

Well done.

[gubellini 3,069]

Midget I totally agree with you about the tiresome criticism of trainers on this site. A lot of the contributors have no idea of the time that goes into training horses and the expenses involved. I would be happy to pay even more than I am currently charged. Kevin Gray put it succinctly recently when he said that training horses is not easy nor is it hard but it is CONTINUOS.

[von Smallhaussen 3,226]

11 hours ago, Leggy said:

Probably feed them on the seventh day as well, alongside saying their prayers (no charge for that).

and there is another cost - new trousers every month because the knees wear out 

[biff 2,157]

IMO there is should be no jocks fees. nom, acceptance up to listed level and a starters bonus, that would bring NZ into line with the majority of racing entities world wide, Oh, and including latin america, thank you very much......why are we a laughing stock?

[chevy86 2,022]

44 minutes ago, gubellini said:

 the tiresome criticism of trainers on this site. 

Please give some examples. I believe the topic started with DL citing the difficulty trainers have in staying afloat financially, not a shot by any owner. Pitting owners against trainers or vice versa has not been my take from the postings. Both parties are struggling but both parties have the choice to "stay" or "go"!

[Midget 4,396]

Please......there's a small hardcore group of posters here who relentlessly criticise trainers and jockeys because they're easy targets.

I note one of the critics seems to have changed his attitude this morning, and that's to be applauded.

I won't identify the others to avoid an argument but let me say this, it's not the trainers and jockeys dragging NZ racing to its knees, so if you love racing, and I mean genuinely love the game ( not the gambling, the game & the horses ) then focus your criticism on those who're wasting our money, our future, and those who're incompetent, bereft of ideas, and simply not performing to the required standard.

[gubellini 3,069]

chevy 86 yesterday you commented that some trainers expect owners to help them in their indulgence of ownership. Many more examples if you scroll down or peruse other threads. Starting an owner versus trainer argument is not very productive. Racing administration incompetence is the REAL issue.

[Blue 786]

18 hours ago, scooby3051 said:

So that is your answer???? Buy a burger bar... wow that really solves it. What about the money you thought she was making at 50 a day??? So you think it is OK for one of the leading stables in the country to have the choice either suck it up or buy a burger bar???

Not sure how else to say it. Maybe there's something lacking somwhere in the management. We don't know what goes on internally Scoobs but if you're training the winners she is training and you're on the breadline, surely, if it's not worth the effort you do something else. Burger bar was obviously tongue in cheek but may be more profitable in the long run. Cafer's have rabbitted on ad infinitum about the state of the industry with nothing happening for the last decade to make it more profitable for the major participants so how long can you go beating your head against a wall?

[slam dunk 1,317]

19 hours ago, Leggy said:

Never heard of or seen that before. Say some more.

Presumably something to do with the rotten moulding first cut being raked up and baled with the second cut adding to its nutrient quality. No wonder the inspector was surprised that the horse was thriving. I probably would have been too.

Leggy, actually what happened is that by leaving the first cut on the ground somehow the glover was allowed to take over so the so the harvest was almost pure glover. Come to think of it don't think there was much lucerne in it.

[Pegs Pride 376]

On 7/12/2016 at 10:48 AM, Brown Fox said:

Slightly off topic.Can anyone remember the top class sprinter Donna had about 10 years ago which retired to the Matrons paddock?

Pretty sure it's name started with a J. How has it done?

That might be Jazella?

She's still producing.

[Pegs Pride 376]

On 7/13/2016 at 7:39 AM, biff said:

IMO there is should be no jocks fees. nom, acceptance up to listed level and a starters bonus, that would bring NZ into line with the majority of racing entities world wide, Oh, and including latin america, thank you very much......why are we a laughing stock?

Great question.

Obvious answer. And it has nothing to do with trainers or owners!

When the likes of trainers Logan/Gibbs, Murray Baker, John Wheeler speak passionately and publicly about the ridiculous state of our racing industry, why do some of you posting here on this thread, decry and seek to diminish the prowess of some of of our best trainers? To my mind it should have alerted you to the parlous state of the industry itself. Pointing finger at a personal 'a lack of business acumen' darnright ignorant.

Stick to the industry and speak loudly and publicly about why our industry deserves more respect and reward; bringing as much as it does to the coffers of the country.

For Gods sake, fight for a better deal for ALL those struggling to stay in the game. Lay off the small-minded criticism and give a loud and resounding bellow of support.

(Windsor Park Stud this week published some breathtaking facts about what racing contributes to the economy. Worth a read on their website). 

Humbly. 

[Midget 4,396]

Peg the criticism is invariably based on a lack of knowledge, you never see a highly experienced and knowledgable person like yourself doing it.

The hard working trainers, jockeys, vets, farriers, feed merchants, float drivers, et al....they don't deserve the criticism...the way I see it they're just toiling, doing their best and should be applauded, not abused.

As a highly successful participant, and being well qualified to answer. I'd like you to answer me a question if I may, what are your thoughts on Alan Jackson, do you think he's the "great white hope" or is he another pretender bearing false hope, a  "great white hopeless" ??

[Ohokaman 4,644]

11 hours ago, Pegs Pride said:

That might be Jazella?

She's still producing.

That was answered a couple of pages ago...?