Hippotherapy

How do they catch loose horses in horseracing?

When you see a horserace and a jockey takes a fall but the loose horse keeps on running, how is it caught once the race is over? Do they train horses to come to a handler or do they just wait for the horse to get bored before grabbing it? I'm specificially asking about horseracing in the UK.

Public Comments

1. They use a twelve bore and a JCB they normally come back quietly
2. They never return
3. The horses know by experience and training to ease up and stop after crossing the finish line so they don't keep running. In many cases the horse pulls up after losing the rider long before the finish line. But in any event, the track has mounted grooms who ride up alongside a riderless horse and slow it down then lead it back to the paddock.
4. There are usually "outriders" on horseback that will catch the horse & stop it. They are also the ones who leed the horses to the starting gate in most cases. Some stop on their own or head instintively to the Paddock area.
5. they tranquilize them with a mild thing bwhich makes them fall asleep
6. We do not have outriders in GB, they are only present in USA racing. As horses are herd animals they will follow the rest of the pack until they find a better alternative - usually the racecourse stables or the parade ring. Horses know by instinct that to be on your own (ie away from the rest of the herd) puts them in danger, so they try to stick as close to other horses as possible. There are officials dotted around the track that will try to catch a loose horse, but it's normally easier to let it follow the others and catch it after the race.
7. As a small addendum to Newmarket's answer catching a racehorse is NOT something you want to do unless you are very sure about what you're doing or the horse is very quiet. Racehorses are immensely strong and call pull you over and drag you along the ground in an instant. If they are young they can also be very frightened and nervous and so will panic and hurt themselves or other people. If their own stable lad or someone they know tries to catch them they will be more receptive and calm down. Strangers will spook them. In short if you see a loose horse keep away from it!
8. Outriders are usually posted around the track for this purpose. They ride up along side the horse, catch it, and lead it back to the paddock.
9. Some horses are easier to catch then others. Usually the outrider & a pony rider will be able to ride up along side the animal & pick up the reins if the animal still has their tack on. On the backside, we have many of them who get loose without anything on them or with only a halter & those are a challenge to deal with. All the workers start yelling "Cavallo Solo!" or "Loose Horse!" & everyone has to freeze & pay attention so the horse doesn't end up causing trouble & injury to the other horses & people. Nothing is worse than to get run over by a horse who is going full throttle down the shedrow, except having that horse go after the horse you are holding on to or riding. Food usually does the trick. Especially carrots. Race horses don't get many treats & they can easily be coaxed with food. Oat hay works wonders to soothe the savage beast! Trainers are grateful when you return their animals & it could just get you a job in their barn at a later date.
10. they use a fishing rod, or they sometimes just trip it up
11. If a horse drops the rider the Clerk of the Course (A person in a red jacket) rides after the horse if it is on the outside of the race and grabs the bridle or the reins and takes it to the outside of the track where it can be checked by a vet.