Hearts & Horseshoes 4-H equine club was introduced to the training of harness racehorses this past Saturday (December 3).
Thirty young people, parents and advisors met with Suzanne D’Ambrose, who set up the tour with various trainers and staff.
D’Ambrose is a member of the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of N.J. and is one of the equine science instructors for Monmouth County 4-H.
The group met Gaitway Farm staff member Butch Sheridan at the equine pool and he answered questions about the pool from the 4-H members.
They watched Margaret ‘Maggi’ Romano lead pacer Wicked Business into the pool and swim for his therapy. Videos and photos were taken by the 4-H members since they were excited to see a horse swim.
Next stop was the one-mile training track where they watched yearlings in training. D’Ambrose explained the different gaits and training techniques as the drivers and horses jogged by.
The last visit was with Veronica Spicer, who gave the group a detailed look at the harness racing equipment up close. Spicer tacked up trotter Kapow as everyone watched closely and asked questions. Once tacked, Veronica’s husband, Symon Spicer, hopped in the jog cart and the group watched as Kapow trained on the track.
“It was nice to see so much interest from the 4-H club. They want to see Kapow race,” Spicer said. “They were very enthusiastic.”
Hearts & Horseshoes 4-H equine club has plans to visit Fair Winds Farm in Cream Ridge N.J. in April, and Southwind Farms in Pennington N.J., in May. A ‘Day at the Races’ is also planned, at Freehold Raceway.
(Monmouth County 4-H)