The issue of online abuse has been under the spotlight in Australia this week after an angry racing fan sent a spiteful message to Victorian apprentice Liam Riordan after he rode at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Riordan showed the message to his employer, Troy Corstens, who then exposed the social media troll which caused widespread media interest and discussion in Australia.
The bright lights of Mooney Valley might be a world away from Wingatui, but the issue of cyber abuse is something with which Otago jockeys are faced.
Messages can contain foul critiques of his rides or requests for tips, Lowry said.
Being in a high-profile and high-pressure job meant getting criticised was something he took in his stride.
''If you are going to listen to somebody that has never ridden a horse in their life, you are probably in the wrong job.''
Lowry's policy was to ignore most of the messages. That was made easier with platforms such as Facebook where users can be blocked.
But sometimes he will throw back a comment in jest.
''To some of them I would say 'I'll leave my riding boots and helmet for you and see how you get on'.''
Both Lowry and Barnes get the sense that most messages are from punters and some can be from as far away as Australia.
The issue was one that affected most jockeys and one that was widely recognised in the jockeys' room, Barnes said.
Avoiding some social media platforms and message board sites was another another tactic the jockey used to avoid the online trolls, she said.
As well as receiving messages, Barnes had received phone calls from disgruntled punters who had called on blocked numbers.
Like Lowry, her policy was to ignore such contact.
''It can get to you but what can you do, you can't do much about it,'' she said.
The issue of malicious online attacks is not restricted to the thoroughbred code.
It was commonplace for harness drivers to receive messages from strangers on social media, Oamaru reinsman Brad Williamson said.
However, the messages asking for tips outweighed the malicious attacks from disgruntled punters.
Williamson said that he was aware of several of the country's top drivers receiving nasty online mail. Discussion among them concluded that most messages were from a small number of repeat offenders.
