Racing is often perceived to be a closed shop, a world in which all sorts of things happen behind closed doors.

Many words and phrases are used by trainers as part of their everyday business, but they can be confusing and bewildering to followers of the sport.

Sometimes you need a course at Bletchley Park to help decipher this ‘code’ used by the insiders in the industry!

One of my great pleasures is having the time to explain to owners, and potential owners, all the elements that go to make up the myriad of tasks that go together to ensure the horses in my care are looked after properly.

We make top class veterinary care a priority and by using the world renowned Summerhill Equine Practice, we have high quality practitioners available on a 24/7 basis if needed.

Our regular vet is Paolo Guasco, and his help, care and advice plays a vital role in the welfare of all the horses at Dominion Racing Stables.

The following short video shows Paolo doing one of the most common procedures at the yard, a scope.

Click here to view the episode http://youtu.be/YX-iIqU9ZAg

Scoping a horse usually takes place after exercise and gives an initial indication of whether a horse has picked up a low grade infection, indicated by a cloudy sample.

In such instances, the sample is taken back to the lab for more detailed analysis, which will give Paolo the information he needs to make a decision of the best course of action.

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