bangalore did you know that bangalore turf clubs highstrung thoroughbreds need a sedative they arent made to pop a pill they are kept calm with the company of other animals goats sheep pedigreed dogs even poultrythe bangalore turf club which houses about 1000 of indias best thoroughbreds is also home to these domestic animals and birds sharing a sprawling 87acre expanse in the heart of the citybut why is it important for a horse to be calm equine doctor dr sv chinmulgund who has been in the profession for 25 years says a calm and happy horse is a winner a nervous and irritated horse is a loserhe said horses are moody animals and extremely sensitive sometimes they run well during a race and sometimes they run badly depending on their mood sheep help them calm down sheep and goats are considered safe to have with horses because the chance of cross infection is rare a sheep or goat cannot in most cases pass on an infection to a horse also horses love company in individual stables they spend most of the time alone in a stud farm these animals enjoy being together and the smaller animals keep the thoroughbreds amused or at least occupied there are other means to keep horses calm for example trainers stick to routine because these animals hate changes of exercise hours food or even the unfamiliar voice of a different trainer remember a horse cost lakhs of rupees and owners would do anything to get the maximum return on their investmentthe livestock handlers safety manual from colorado usa indicates reducing animal stress during handling improves productivity and performancebtc secretary nirmal prasad says about 40 per cent of our horses are housed in the underground stables in the centre and the remaining on the periphery of the btcsupervisor g reddy who has been with the horses here for 20 years says that the goats run off to a small grassy stretch adjoining the sheshadri road to graze and he has to shepherd them back to the stables he explains the horses are very friendly with these animals allowing them to share their living spacepresident of the karnataka horse trainers association d puttanna confirms the sedative effect of these domestic animals but says i have never used them in the course of my workstipendiary steward robin corner adds ive seen trainers use goats and sheep yes it has a calming effect on horses