STARTING STALLS PRACTICE
(featuring a cast of various horses and humans)

 Stalls were first introduced to start flat races in 1965 and it was here at Newmarket on the July Course that they were first used in public. Loading a large number of highly-strung, adrenaline-filled thoroughbreds into restricted bays can be daunting for the horses, handlers and jockeys so careful schooling at home is of paramount importance.

Just how long it takes to school a horse through the stalls very much depends on the individual. A straightforward animal is usually ready after 3 or 4 sessions, none of which are much longer than 20 minutes. The hood is sometimes needed if the horse is reluctant to enter the stall or it becomes very anxious once installed.

It's off to the starting stall with helmets, rope, hood and....	.....a big bag of grass for coaxing and congratulating.	Stalls open front and back. Check all is in working order.	Close front gates and spring open before horses arrive.
Walk horse through open stall. (Mind your legs, jockey!)	Pause in open stall. Close back gates. Pat horse on hind quarters.	Load horse. Close front gates manually. Open and let horse walk out.	Load horse into closed stall. Grass to keep head up!
Load  a friend into next door stall.	Ping gates open mechanically  and watch what happens!	If all goes well the horses will pull up....	....and go again!