While I understand your point and agree that in many disciplines horses are pushed hard, you are making a blanket statement about an entire discipline without knowledge of my particular program and my trainer's approach. I suggest, in this forum, demonstrating respect for all disciplines.

My trainer is an ex-eventer and is a stickler about the flat work. Look at Flax's pictures on my blog. http://pfizerdoesn'tcare.blogspot.com
We did our homework. We have always kept the lunging to a minimum because of Flax's stifles. We never jumped more than three times a week - we're talking 2'6" and rode six times a week unless he was sore or missing a shoe. He always got time off after a show and at the end of the season. Now he is on permanent turn-out at my farm due to his lameness. He will not go back to a jumping career unless he shows a miraculous recovery, which we don't expect.

Every discipline has its issues- racing starts horses too soon, saddlebreds and high-stepping breeds- unnatural shoeing and creating a fearful horse so they look on fire, quarter horses- creating the peanut rolling- way of going... The point is all disciplines have their issues, including eventing- a dangerous sport where people and horses die! My trainer quit eventing at the prelim level because she felt it was completely dangerous to make a horse negotiate solid jumps in the fast times they were requiring. She is not a fearful rider- does grand prix jumping and wins (in Colorado, Florida, and our zone).

I have played polo, fox-hunted, evented, done hunters and dressage. I have an appreciation for all the disciplines (including eventing, many of my friends are eventers). A good horseperson is a good horseperson no matter the discipline and always puts the horse first. I respect good horsepeople, period.

As far as joint injections, it has become the norm. I agree it seems excessive. I read an article about foals and their dams' missing out on essential nutrition early on in their lives that help their joints develop with plenty of cushion. Supposedly that is why we're seeing a lot of joint issues. Again, in the future if I have a horse that the vet suggests joint injections to make him more comfortable, I'll opt for IRAP instead- since it is a one (at most three) time deal.