Gary Contessa on Gate Training

What is gate training? Do horses have to be calmed down, and taught about the starting gate--or is it a natural process? A one-time deal, or a series of baby steps? In this tasty vid, Gary explains it all, and helps us appreciate another aspect of the time and energy that's put into preparing Thoroughbreds for their careers as race horses. Enjoy!

[@hiansatchwell9215]

Gary ur so like Bob nd Lukas u guys are so good at talking to people. People will learn easily from u people.👍🇯🇲

[@jeffdzbynski7594]

Thank you Gary great job from an assistant starter from Maryalmd!

[@mjz8373]

Very good tutorial! I would love to watch this process and have you comment on the oddities that happen ( and corrections) with the horses who are schooling.

[@asportableskatesharpening4207]

Hi Gary, this is very similar to training for the trailer..... good info...

[@marifroggy]

Why don't trainers use treats (carrots, apples, sweets ..) to teach the horse to enter the gate? If I were training a puppy or young dog a new behavior or to overcome a thing that stresses them, I would use food to associate the stressor with something good.

[@k_obriend2118]

marifroggy no one is gonna take the time and risk to stand in front of a 1200lb animal who doesn’t wanna do something and that’s kind of taboo lol racehorses are much different compared to puppy’s

[@daniel_moretti]

​​@@k_obriend2118 As dangerous as horses can be, big cats, bears, orcas (and yes horses) are all successfully trained with treats. I imagine the issues are practicality and logistics. Training with treats goes best when there is consistency. The number of different people handling a racehorse and the various tracks they go to would make training with treats very difficult.

[@k_obriend2118]

@@daniel_moretti this is horse racing man treats would never work to get a horse in the gate I guarantee you that 😂😂

[@daniel_moretti]

@@k_obriend2118 Can I ask what your experience is with horses and horse racing?

[@k_obriend2118]

@@daniel_moretti I’ve owned horses for 10 years and been in the game since a child …