It has long been my opinion that the racing game is slowly being killed for the reasons you state. In my humble opinion there are several possible solutions: Do not race two year olds Lenghthen a good number of races to 1 1/2 - 2 miles Raise purses for humble horses to encourage their participation. Encourage the media to make heroes of "good" horses in everyday racing. I have followed horse racing for 60 years and it breaks my heart when they kill themselves running. They love to run so let's put them on a fair playing field. Thank for a chance to vent. Nancyb
Re: Fragile horsesjedinemoMay 6 2008, 06:03:23 UTC
I agree that large scale changes need to be made. They're so large that an individual owner or trainer can't really start the revolution alone. But I'm with you- I sincerely hope it happens.
Horse racing seems a lot like breeding dogs. The AKC folks truly love their dogs but they've become so fixated on appearances they've let health and temperment come in poor seconds. With the results that the breeds they love are now plagued with some horrible genetic defects. Both pure bred horses and dogs are being killed by the people who love them most.
They seem to have forgotten, or just plain not understood, basic genetics. Once or twice crossed back to an individual might be a good thing, but close to a dozen times?
My horse is a quarter horse, cutting lines. Both her parents were somewhat elderly when she was born, so her pedigree goes back rather quickly to the classic cutting horses, not the modern champions. She's fifteen hands, tiny in the thoroughbred world, but a giant in the modern cutting world. Modern cutting horses are supposed to be maybe fourteen hands- pony sized- and I just saw an article that talked about all the health issues these small horses are having. A shame for a sport based on a real working skill.
I have to agree with you. I used to watch horse racing because I was just crazy about horses when I was growing up. But more and more they're breaking down, it's unreal to watch the footage of Eight Belles or Barbaro -- there's nothing there that they tripped over, stepped in, or spooked at. No accident. Just fragile bones snapping.
It's too sad to watch anymore. Hug your horse for me, too
Comments 7
In my humble opinion there are several possible solutions:
Do not race two year olds
Lenghthen a good number of races to 1 1/2 - 2 miles
Raise purses for humble horses to encourage their participation.
Encourage the media to make heroes of "good" horses in everyday racing.
I have followed horse racing for 60 years and it breaks my heart when they kill themselves running. They love to run so let's put them on a fair playing field.
Thank for a chance to vent. Nancyb
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It was really awful.
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Beautiful horse, by the way.
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My horse is a quarter horse, cutting lines. Both her parents were somewhat elderly when she was born, so her pedigree goes back rather quickly to the classic cutting horses, not the modern champions. She's fifteen hands, tiny in the thoroughbred world, but a giant in the modern cutting world. Modern cutting horses are supposed to be maybe fourteen hands- pony sized- and I just saw an article that talked about all the health issues these small horses are having. A shame for a sport based on a real working skill.
Reply
It's too sad to watch anymore. Hug your horse for me, too
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