Dynamarked Six

We bought a new horse last week. His race name is Dynamarked Six. He is a five-year-old dark bay Thoroughbred from a racetrack in Red Deer, Alberta. He was purchased by a First Nations man to race in the Indigenous Relay Races at the Calgary Stampede.

Have you ever seen these races? They are the final equestrian event of the day, and for good reason—they are spectacular. Riders mount their horses directly from the ground, bareback, and gallop away at astonishing speed. After completing a lap around the track, the rider dismounts while the horse is still moving and leaps onto a fresh horse for another lap. The combination of bareback riding, top speed, and seamless dismounts and remounts makes for an unforgettable display of horsemanship and athleticism.

But Six had one problem: he was considered "lazy" and lacked the drive to race. That was why he was for sale.

When we asked more questions about him, the young First Nations owner gave us an impressive demonstration. He hopped on Six bareback from the ground, trotted a few strides, and then calmly cantered away from home. There were no silly antics, no resistance—just a horse willingly doing what was asked of him without any tack at all.

The situation for Dynamarked Six was simple. His owner had eight horses actively training for the relay races, and Six was the ninth horse—too slow to make the team. The other horses had already been trailered away for training as the Calgary Stampede approached. Six was left alone in the field, except for a band of wild horses across the fence that came and went as they pleased. Considering he had been left behind, he was remarkably quiet and calm.
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Upon closer inspection, Debbie noticed a swelling in his groin area. She asked whether he had been gelded, and the owner explained that he had not. Six is a certified ridgling—a cryptorchid—with one descended testicle and one retained internally. According to the owner, he is sterile because he lacks a functioning semen gland. On the racetrack, cryptorchids are often favoured because they are thought to benefit from the additional testosterone produced by the retained testicle, resulting in greater muscle development, while generally lacking the strong stallion behaviours associated with intact males.
Six is fortunate that his previous owner cared about him. Otherwise, he might simply have been left in the field to join the wild horses. His feet are typical Thoroughbred feet, prone to cracking and in need of shoes. He has thin skin, a soft coat, and a gentle temperament. He is not a particularly rugged horse, and it is doubtful he would have lasted long on his own in the wild.
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Now Six has joined the rest of our herd at the acreage. His introduction was effortless. He is mellow, sweet, and easygoing. We are putting some weight on him because he is a little ribby, and we have started working on his ground manners, as he tends to crowd his handler rather than respect personal space. Over the coming months, he will be gelded and he will receive some light training under saddle. When he is ready, we will look for a good home where he can begin the next chapter of his life. ​Photo credit: Debra Easton