Under appreciated

[Tim Y]

Horses do not like enclosed spaces and they TELL you about it with their actions. The gate crew has to get INSIDE that already small space and control an anxious 1100 pound animal, keep it's head down, keep it from rearing or flipping, keeping it centered in that small stall, when all the while the rest of the restless animals are giving out the same signals to an animal who's hard wired herd instincts make them follow their brethren.

Sometimes it takes a fellow on the head and three behind the back gate pushing and "tailing" the horse to get it calmed down enough to be straight. All these guys have for protection is the same vest that the riders wear. They get kicked, bitten, bumped, squished etc. yet somehow are strong and quick enough to stay out of harm's way.

Our starter,Joe, has 6 steel screws and a metal plate in his leg as a result of 25 years on the gate. We have been lucky this year with only ONE serious injury when a frightened two year old kicked Tom right in the chest and sent him AIRBOURNE 12 feet back of the gate. With the initial diagnosis of lacerated pancreas, he was hospitalized a week and I am glad to report, is back at it every weekend now.

Fans do not really know who dangerous and necessary this job is. MORE folks should come down to the gate to see this race to race struggle for themselves.