The Geared Racehorse - typical traits

"The power geared horse will have in hand the potential to quickly lengthen and quicken its stride, producing ample acceleration when called upon".

A well geared power horse has the advantage of being capable of traveling through a race with the least effort. Alternately the strength geared horse will be working hard to try and keep its stride rate high enough to keep pace, while the speed geared horse will have to keep up with a high stride rate to make up for its lack of stride strength.

Unlike the horse with an undesired gearing bias towards speed or strength, (both of which use extra energy just keeping pace, which does not  leave a lot of room for tactical speed or acceleration later in the race), the power geared horse will have in hand the potential to quickly lengthen and quicken its stride. This produces what appears ample acceleration, where as in fact it is primary a result of its superior top end speed.

Keep in mind the speed, strength and power gearing we are relating to here, is not distance based, Speed and strength geared horses may be best suited as either sprinters or stayers. Power gearing is limited to only a few specific levers, unlike distance gearing that takes into account a large range of levers, and their angles & lengths.

These are the traits you can expect from a well geared power horse, that also processes superior muscles, energy system, airways, fitness, form etc.

• Good gate speed, without having to be pushed along, to take a favorable forward position.
• When called upon for an effort, shows tactical speed to gain or keep a favored position mid race
  without apparent effort.
• Be able to race on the pace & wide without cover , and still finish off the race strongly.
• Be capable of quickly stepping up gears when asked for an effort in the straight.
• Be traveling so well that the jockey has the luxury of making his run for the line early, or late if he
  chooses to give him a soft run.
• Bolt clear a few lengths clear early in the straight, before going on to win with ease.

Why are these traits so valuable to the racehorse.

These types can race handy and make there own luck during running. there superior acceleration enables them to quickly put themselves in a winning position. These traits also mean the horse has the potential to step up in class with ease. The fact that these traits are characteristics of many genuine Champions speaks volumes for there value to the racehorse.

Alternatively, the one paced horse may be winning races while being tardy from the gates, racing back in the field, being pushed mid race, finding flat spots when initially asked to quicken, being pushed right out and winning by small margins. But this all indicates that if the horse even loses just a touch of form, he will be finishing back with the field.  Don't anticipate much improvement from these types. Of course their are always exceptions to the rules, and some high quality gallopers will race through their entire careers in this fashion, continuing successfully to win many good class races.