The more I watch racing.. in which I don't watch most. Is times like this. Why does the industry push these young horses to the point of such an end as this. Then everyone display sorrow for the horse but ...

No one really points blame at the industry.. come on, what really would hurt to start the horses a year later. They would all be on the same playing field still..

Isn't the industry about money? its not a about the love of the horse? if it was would you just open the gate and let the drive of the horse push it down the track.. ? not the crop?

what does it say about the people in it? I am not judging just asking..

I sorry it just burdens my heart to see another horse taken out by the industry, and surely they are already looking for one or have one to replace her.. sad I am very sad fo belle

Spud

Spud,

I agree with you 110%. The industry has stream lined these horses and refined their bone structure so they can't handle the stresses that are forced upon them.

I have found this to be in most of the horse industry to some degree.

It is truelly sad that the filly ran her heart out for nothing.

This is the reason I have really stopped going to the races and/or supporting their actions.

It is so sad to see, and what most people don't take into account is that these horses are born in the first 3 months of the year, but come January 1 of the following year they are being trained to be ridden and by the time they are little more than a year old have a rider on their backs! Their bodies are not mature and neither are their minds. When the racing season starts and the horses prance out onto the track people always comment about how "coltish" they appear. Well HELLO, they are colts (and fillies) and in my opinion have no business being pushed so hard!

We are saddened by all the horses that break down on the track, but what about the ones that break down before they ever reach the track???

I have an acquantance who raises sports horses. Several of her broodmares are off the track mares that have been winners. She always comments that they are retired and (amazingly) retired sound. This should give you an idea how rare that is.

It just seems to me that the industry should stop viewing the horse as a throw-away commodity and put at least another year into them allowing them to mature mentally and physically.

Okay, stepping off of the soap box and putting it away.

Unfortunately, money does drive the industry to start them at two. I think the two-year-old in training sales are one of the worst things for the industry. Several horses have dropped dead during or shortly after their breezes to see who is the fastest (and therefore the most expensive).

Check out my latest blog entry to see more of my thoughts on the subject.