Note taking

[Addi]

Now then,

Iv been researching horses and tried taking notes of certain horses but not sure how detailed to go with it, has anyone on hear got an actual notebook of their notes and how to lay it out or does everyone just use excel … cant seem to find any on google

Cheers addi

[Venture to Cognac]

Welcome to TRF Addi.

I can’t be much use I’m afraid. I’ve got loads of Notebook horses, but I don’t record them in the kind of detail you’re looking for. Most of it rattling about in my head.

Hopefully somebody will be along to give you a better steer than I could.

[Addi]

Thanks for the reply mate, you do well to remember them all lol, i can remember the odd few just would prefer them all down on paper

Cheers

[robnorth]

At the races I use a notebook and have a similar short hand to that typically used in form books. Page per race on an A6 size notebook (I do write small, so many would use and A5 reporter’s pad) and a line per horse, noting again equipment carried or wind op note against each one, make paddock comments where significant and anything I spot that is not likely to be included in the form book comments.

Typically for paddock notes I will mark fitness (bkwd = horse not fit as it should be, lw = looks well (fit), lvw = looks very well (very fit)) and behavioural quirks and equipment that’s not noted in the formbook (xb = cross noseband, anb = Australian nose band, nnb = no nose band) or if the horse has a severe or soft bit.

I’ve tried to use a dictating machine or a typing notes into a phone but I’m more happy with pen and paper. Despite not being able to visit meetings right now I use a similar method when watching on TV/on-line.

That’s a brief outline and ultimately take notes your own way and find a method that suits you over time. I’m sure notes I was making 20 years ago are a bit different from those I make now. At the end of the meeting I sort the wheat from the chaff and type up significant notes.

[Dynamite21]

Hi Addi

i suggest using the RACING POST tracker…
you will also be alerted if it’s declared to run

D21

[Addi]

Cheers for the reply

Yea i will give that a go mate cheers then i will have to make anotber one wjth the horses in that are any good with a few side notes cheers, obviously itl be a bit harder atm with not being allowed to racecourse but itl give me time to adjust the format mate cheers

[Addi]

Dynamite21 i mqy give it a look just prefer pen and paper method mate

Cheers

[greenasgrass]

I keep meaning to get a ring binder with alphabetical dividers so I can slot in new horses by name with a sheet each to add notes to the relevant sheet in chronological order, but that would mean admitting that I am a geek who spends too much time thinking about this stuff so it just rattles about inefficiently in my head taking up space that should be used stuff like whether we are running out of washing powder or not.

[Dynamite21]

SUPERFORM laced up jobby???

as Gordon Ramsay would say… “WOW!”

it’s 04 nov 2020… “WOW!”

[Addi]

Haha i know the feeling, exactly why i want a book full of notes on horses to watch etc so it frees up space in my head lol

Cheers

[Author]

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