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Why is it seemingly universally acknowledged that this innocuous movement equates to a horse having plenty left in the tank? Just another racing nonsense cliche, or is there any reasoning behind it?
BUY THE SUN
TTC. As I understand the “logic” is:
Wild horses are pack animals. Some are leaders, some followers. Racehorses have a bit of the wild horse in them, trainers making use of their natural enthusiasm to run. However, just like the wild horse some are natural followers who don’t like leading or at least wanting the company of other horses. This attribute often noticeable by the horse pricking its ears – reluctant to go more than a little in front. ie Winning with a bit more in hand than the winning distance suggests… Which is important for us punters because their handicap mark is likely to go up by less than the horse’s real ability. Able to win again and/or could be a value bet next time.Value Is EverythingInteresting. Thanks GT, I understand the logic but I don’t think I buy it to be honest.
BUY THE SUN
No doubt “ears pricked” is a genuine, although something possibly over-used.
Value Is EverythingTalking about “honest” TTC. Mick Fitzgerald referred to a horse as having “honest ears” lol.
You can tell if a horse is friendly and approachable and leading from that, eager and willing for more, by whether their ears are flat back or pricked forward.
If you know a horse is a crazy type, and their ears are back against their head, you’ll know they’re in no mood to be messed with. They might be cranky, they might have just had someone insult them, they might be about to kick and/or trample you. A horse’s ears back means it’s in a pisser of a mood and is not interested in whatever endeavour you might be bringing to it. In that sense, for racing, the thing that might have them being narky is they’re already going flat out and can’t give any more, so they’re getting into a whinge about it all, “Feck off and leave me alone,” kind of territory. Conversely, ears pricked will be a case of, “I’m having a blast galloping out in this track, give me more rein!”
Watching their ears is a part of a guide to a horse’s personality and what mood they might be in. Ears flat back they’re not interested in what’s going on and might be in a strop, ears forward, paying attention to what’s happening and surveying the land in front of them and they might have more to give because they’re not completely restricted in what they’re doing or giving their all, and can find “more” interest.
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