Despite what most people may think about Thoroughbreds on
the track, most are incredibly well-mannered and are handled with great care.
They are curious babies who know their environment and jobs quite well.
“Oscar” is one of the horses I massage at the racetrack. I
work at the track one day a week and massage a variety of horses, whomsoever
the trainer picks out for that particular week. I love working there. I grew up
with racing Thoroughbreds and I find the environment quite soothing.
“Oscar,” his trainer admits, “is his own worst enemy.” His
flighty habits have gotten him into some physical trouble lately that I am
there to help. Yesterday was his second massage and during his first one I was
warned to look out for his hind feet and teeth. Sure enough, he tried to
cow-kick once or twice and strike. (Fortunately not only I was knowingly out of
reach, but since my own horse Percy was once a much more accurate cow-kicker, I
have developed some high-level dodging skills!) The biting was forestalled by
his trainer who put on a lip chain. But this week Oscar seemed very glad to see
me and though he still wore a lip chain, the beastie stood quietly and didn’t
raise a foot. (Well, he did paw once but what I was doing surely was painful.)
I was proud of his good behavior and decided to sketch him for my journal when
I got home last night. Here he is, sketched in watercolor pencil and Neocolor
II in a Stillman and Birn Gamma 5.5" x 8.5" sketchbook. Well done Oscar!
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| From my journal... |
