At 22:02:17 PST on 11-04-98, Mario Mercader wrote:

> Nov.5, 1998
>
> To Whom it may concern;
>
> First of all, I just want to say how very glad I am to find a
>web site so helpful and informative as yours! I would appreciate it
>very much if you could answer a question I have about my 2-year old
>racehorse. He has run a total of 4 times. 3 out of those 4 runs, he
>has shown a terrible habit of making a sudden "halt", or stop, somewhere
>around 3/4ths of the way round' the track! He would put both front legs
>out in front of him and then make his head go down and up and then get
>up and walk! This has been such a frustrating experience for both my
>jockey and trainer. However, as far as the cause for it, or the right
>remedy, I haven't been satisfied with some of the answers I've gotten.
>Could you tell me why my horse has this vice and what could be done
>about it? Besides the 'stopping', he seems to have no other problems,
>healthwise, or anything else. I want to know what causes this, is it
>physical...emotional...what? Please help!!!! Thank You so much!!
>
> A horseowner from Manila,
>
> Mr. Mario Mercader
Mario, how far are you running this baby? Have you had him scoped for bleeding or deviated pallet? Does he do this in races only or does he do it during the morning when he is galloping or working also? I hope you get time to answer my questions, your horse's problems are indeed interesting.