Race Preparation

[Dennis Green]

As a relative newcomer to whippet racing, one of the many things I still have to sort out, is what should I do on the day prior to a race to ensure that my dog is properly prepared. I have asked several people but some are reluctant to tell me what they do and others say that they they do nothing in particular. Some only exercise their dogs on a lead on the previous day and some feed their dogs special diets. (Steak!) It would appear that most do not feed their dogs on the morning of a race.

Having received much advice, some conflictiing, a little more wont go adrift. Any aditional advice would be much appreciated. I will then be in a better position to to decide what to do.

 

[Judy]

We don't walk ours very far at all on a Saturday and they stay on the lead. Feeding is the same as always. I know lots of people don't feed on race day mornings but we still give a light breakfast as normal.

 

[June Jonigk]

Hi Dennis

We don't do much with ours on a Saturday either - we class it as a rest day. Our dogs eat twice a day normally, and unlike most others (seemingly) they get exactly the same at each meal. On race day however, they have cereal for breakfast, so they are not running with a belly full. I tend to feed them earlier on Saturday evening too - they normally eat at 6pm, so Saturdays it's normally 4-5pm.

Pre racing the best way to warm them up is a 10 minute walk - but normally we're late surfacing from the caravan, and they have a rubdown instead. Everyone seems to use different stuff, and lots of people swore by curacho. I don't think you can get it now, and we use something else. I have almost a litre of curacho left if anyone is interested. It didn't like my skin!!

Everyone has different ideas though - and you find some don't do anything but get them out of the car, and put them in the traps - and still they win!!!

Good luck anyway Dennis - see you at the Northern.

 

[Mark Roberts]

June he's asking ready for the Champs.

but unlike us rough ones he's staying at the Caravan Club site? I think we should all go round to his on Saturday for a big BBQ :- "

 

[Dennis Green]

Hi Mark, you and June will be more than welcome to join us for a BBQ providing you bring the BBQ and steaks.

 

[Mark Roberts]

Ahh but are the stakes for the humans or is it just a ploy to get some free Stake for Magic?