Originally Posted by bluestater  I know that it's best for the horse to be put down in that situation, but it still breaks my heart. Champ and Elisa, I have a question - are these animals too overbred? Horses already seem like genetic freaks, since they have those strong bodies and such thin legs. With racing horses, the bodies are even bigger and the legs are even lighter. Last year, several horses had to be put down at Arlington, just outside Chicago. Officials kept checking out the track, and I thought, shouldn't they be checking out the horses? Are they getting to be too strong and powerful for their own health? |
They breed for the characteristics that make them faster, such as a big heart(literally, Secretariat's heart was FRICKIN' huge), big nostrils for breathing, and obviously things like long legs and lean, but strong.
If you have ever seen a horse running in slow motion it is amazing. Look at this picture and imagine the pressure, weight, etc on the leg as a horse is going full speed!
That also contributes to the injuries, especially in an animal that is basically a teenager.