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That's Sports

With Gary Patterson

HORSE SENSE

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Millions of people saw the horrific scene on TV when Barbaro pulled up during The Preakness Stakes. Six hours of sugery a hardware store full of screws and more metal than you can find in a Corvette and he's back. Oh no, he'll never race again but he doesn't have to be destroyed.

It's amazing how much horses and people are the same.Most people think that race horses are just like cars but that is a mistake, they are finely tuned athletes. Most horse trainers treat their stock better than they treat their own kids and as a matter of fact I once saw a trainer stop a guy from trying to feed his horse some sugar cubes while his own son was chowing down his third glazed Krispy Kreme. Most horses are on a strict regiment of proper feed and vitamins as well as regular visits from the vet.

Horses are very intelligent animals that can sense moods and are very aware of what's going on around them, which is even smarter than most people.Horses can also feel sick or have off days just like we do. So next time you are at the track and a horse doesn't put in the performance that you are looking for don't be so quick to think a fix is on. There could be 100 things wrong with the horse or equipment. Horses only do what they are trained to do. These amazing athletes can show so much love and affection as well as playfulness.

They can also let you know when they are angry whether it's pinned back ears
or barred teeth, you just have to watch.

Our Olympic athletes train all year round in many different weather conditions and using many different methods, horses are the same. Many trainers swim horses and some have different rubs and linaments to use on their legs, same a human athletes.

And on the bad side of things some athletes use performance enhancing drugs while some trainers do the same and I must emphasize some. Just like human athletes you can't lump everyone together, all athletes are not drug users nor are all trainers. The bad ones are in it for the easy money and will eventually be caught.

Through the years horses have been bred to be better athletes and have been trained to be at the highest point of their game. No matter what people say the breeding of these magnificent animals has come a long, long way. There is no way that just drugs can make them go as fast as they do with a world record being broken every year. Everything in the game is better from training methods, to vitamins to breeding.

It's easy to see the similarities if you use a little horse sense.



Gary Patterson was born and raised in Chatham-Kent. He grew up in Thamesville and now lives in Chatham. Patterson was Sports Director at Beaver Communications an Blackburn Radio for over 15 years. Gary is also the track announcer at Dresden Raceway as well as some appearances at Windsor Raceway. He has played all sports inclduing being a mermber of three OBA Championship baseball teams in Thamesville and has also played hockey and football. Gary still plays golf, slo-pitch and ball hockey and well as the odd game of pick up hockey. Patterson is a passionate Miami Dolphin and Michigan Wolverine football fan. Here are few other details about Gary Patterson: Favourite food: steak, chicken wings, chili or Kenny Tharp\'s famous meatloaf; Favourite non alcoholic drink : Diet Coke; Favourite drink: Scotch, Coor\'s Light; Favourite Sports team : Miami Dolphins/Michigan Wolverines/New York Yankees; Favourite Bar : Bru\'s Room Margate Florida/Pompano Beach Florida; Favourite Bartender : Tanya (Margate), Sarah (Pompano); Favourie Vacataion spot : Pompano Beach Florida; Marital Staus : married with chilren Hockey player : Curtis Jospeh/Todd Bertuzzi; Favourite Football player : Retired Dan Marino, Anthony Thomas; Favourite Basketball player : Steve Nash Favourite Baseball player : Derek Jeter; Favourite colour : Blue; Favourite TV Show : CSI Favourite movie : The Sting, Blue Brothers and Field of Dreams; Favourite song Life Been Good To Me ( Joe Walsh); Favourite Band : Tom Petty/Eagles; Favourite type of Dog: Springer Spaniel; Favourite type of Cat : NONE