My name is Takoda. My
name means “Friend to all.”
I was born early
one August on a studfarm in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Both my
parents are Thoroughbred racehorses.
My life as a baby
foal was a lot of fun. My owner looked after me very well. I spent
a lot of time out in the paddock with my mom. I also got to meet
and play with the other foals.
I also met my best
friend Felipe on the farm. Felipe is a small white lamb. Not only
is he my best friend, but we share the same birthday.
Felipe was the
first animal I met after I was born. We spent a lot of time
together when we were babies. Felipe was very smart even though he
was so young. I used to listen to him talk for hours.
Felipe told me
about the Yearling sales, where 1 year old Thoroughbreds are sold
to new owners. I was worried about leaving my home, my parents and
my friends. I was scared.
One day my owner
came to visit me while I was in the paddock. He patted me on the
nose and said that he would keep and train me. I was happy, and
Felipe was happy.
Time passed quickly
on the farm. Soon I was almost 1 year old. I wasn’t as big or
strong as the other older horses on the farm, but my owner said I
had a lot of energy. I also wasn’t so clumsy anymore on my long
legs.
I was now old
enough to start training to become a racehorse. But I didn’t want
to train. I wanted to play with Felipe and my friends. The first
time I was put in the lunging ring I wouldn’t let my owner put a
saddle and bridle on me.
I eventually found
that wearing a saddle and bridle was comfortable. Then I was happy
to learn how to walk, lunge and pose. I felt proud and confident.
It wasn’t long before I was ridden for the first time.
After I turned 1, I
started training to become a racehorse. It was a lot of hard work.
Every morning I got up at 5am, before the sun had even risen. I
trained with the other horses. I warmed up in the trotting ring,
and then ran on both the sand and grass tracks. Sometimes I even
got to work my muscles in a swimming pool.
When I started
training, there was so much to learn. I learned how to run
properly and how to work with a jockey. I even learned how to
leave quickly from a starting stall at the beginning of a race.
After morning
training I got to relax for the rest of the day in the paddock
with the other horses. Felipe would meet me there, and we would
graze together.
As a racehorse, I
was well looked after. Vets checked if I was healthy. The trainer,
riders and grooms were strict but gentle. I ate a balanced diet of
oats, maize, hay and bran to keep me strong and fit.
There were lots of
other horses being trained with me. Dakota, a colt, a young male
horse was my friend. Lakota a young female, a filly, was also my
friend. They were very different.
My trainer said
Dakota was very naughty. He never behaved. He bucked and reared a
lot. I think it was because Dakota wanted to be a rodeo horse, or
a wild mustang, like in America.
Lakota was quiet
and well behaved. Her favourite part of the day was when the groom
brushed her mane, tail and body. She said it made her feel pretty
and special
When I turned 3, my
trainer decided I was ready for my first proper race.
My training became
more challenging. When I got back to my stable in the evening, I
was happy to rest. Felipe was always there to keep me company.
Just before the
race, I had my first set of aluminium horse shoes fitted. The
shoes were very light and would let me gallop faster. The farrier
took off my steel training shoes, and shaped the new shoes to fit
my hooves. He always made sure my hooves were in the best
condition. The farrier has a very important job.
I was very nervous
about my first race. I lost my appetite. My trainer noticed. He
made sure that Felipe came with me to the racetrack. I was glad
that Felipe was with me. He talked to me a lot and told me not to
worry. He reminded me of home, and I felt a lot better.
The racecourse was
a very exciting place. There was lots of noise and colour. There
were lots of people everywhere. The other horses looked so
powerful and graceful. I hoped I would be able to compete against
such impressive athletes. I was very glad that Felipe was there
with me.
My trainer picked
the jockey who would ride me during the race. He was small, but
strong. He knew how I liked to run, and he knew how to get me to
do my best. He wore brightly coloured clothing, called racing
silks.
My race was about
to start. I was led into my starting stall with the other horses.
I would have liked to talk but they looked like they were
concentrating. Some horses were wearing blinkers.
The gates opened
and it was time to run. I galloped as fast as I could. My jockey
guided me. I thought of Felipe’s advice: Do your best.
It was hard at
first. All of the horses were in a bunch. I kept trying to break
away from the pack. I could see the finishing line ahead.
I kept galloping.
It was working. The other horses were falling back. I was in the
front.
Then I crossed the
finish line. I won the race. My jockey patted my side and smiled.
My trainer ran up and hugged me. People took photographs. I felt
very proud of myself.
After winning the
race, I went back to the farm to train for the next race. Everyone
was very happy to see me. I got to see my friends and tell
everyone of my adventures. Felipe was at my side all the time. He
really is my best friend. I know he will always support me.
I am still in my
prime and will be racing for a long time. I asked Felipe what
happens when a racehorse is too old, or injured, to race? He said
a racehorse can do lots of other things.
Thoroughbreds are
athletic and well-trained. They are used to people, other horses
and travelling. They can be involved in other horse activities and
sports, like Gymkhana, Show Jumping, Dressage and Polo.
Stallions can go to
stud, and female horses can become broodmares. These Thoroughbreds
can breed the next generation of racehorses.
Other horses get to
retire. They live peacefully on a farm out in the country. I hope
this is what I will do when I finish racing. And I hope Felipe
will be at my side.
