Anyone here know anything about horses? It was the first one I have watched and I was rooting for Eight Bells, and was happy to see her come in second, and of course felt terrible to hear that she had to be put down. It was mentioned to me that these injuries are occurring mostly as a result of breeding for a lighter-boned/ but still very muscular build and that these injuries will probably become more and more common. Anyone know how much truth there is to this?
Did you watch the replay? She was trotting in her cool down, 1/4 mile past the finish and just tumbled over. She must have crushed the ankles on the way down after collapsing from some other reason. The jock was thrown 10 feet away from her. Tragic ending.
Did you watch the replay? She was trotting in her cool down, 1/4 mile past the finish and just tumbled over. She must have crushed the ankles on the way down after collapsing from some other reason. The jock was thrown 10 feet away from her. Tragic ending.
No, i haven't -- i'm too much of a softy. Here is text from an article in the nytimes that mentions some of the concerns I heard:
Questions are also bound to be raised about the makeup of the horses themselves, and whether commercial breeders focus too much on pedigrees that produce precocious and fast, but not necessarily sound, runners.
I'm back home and not on my IPAQ so I can actually tell you a few things about these horses.
First off these horses are 3 years old which is probably about the equal to a 15 year old male. This means they are on the brink of maturity, but not fully mature. That is why they only have people that are very light on them. The horse cannot bear much more weight or it would risk injury.
Thoroughbreds are also late bloomers maturity wise compared to the type of horse most people come into contact with. Most people come in contact with a horse that is similar to the Quarter Horse breed. While they mature earlier, the ones used for racing contests (such as what you see females do in the rodeo) aren't started to compete until 4 or 5 at the very earliest. The racing Quarter Horses can race longer than a thoroughbred because of their makeup.
All horses have very poor circulation in their legs. Plus add to it, that they can't be put into a cast or anything and cannot lay down for too long like a cat or dog. That is why when they suffer injuries like this they are euthanized most of the time. You will never see a 3-legged horse like you will a dog or cat because of the weight they have to bear.
Its really sad to hear that they are put down in these situations, but it is what is best for the animal. If you have never been around horses they are absolutely awesome animals and really fun to work with. When you find one that you connect with it is quite an experience. They have personalities like a dog and I can't wait until I can own one again.
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I will smash your face into a car windshield and then take your mother, Dorothy Mantooth, out to a nice seafood dinner and never call her again!
Tell me about it, this morning, I woke up and I shit a squirrel, but what I can't get is the damn thing is still alive. So now, I've got a shit covered squirrel running around my office and I don't know what to name it.
thanks champ, i've never been around horses much, and doubt i'll been in a situation to own one, but i've only heard awesome things about them and if I do get the opportunity i'll probably take it.
I had to chase down my mom's horse after he escaped from his stall tonight! He's an escape artist! We have had 1 or 2 racehorses at our farm. My sister trains/ run our family's farm with 20 horses. They are absolutely amazing to watch out in the field - our mare, Mattie, just had our first baby 3 weeks ago!
It's heartbraking when they have to be put down right on the spot, but sadly, like Champ said, you basically have to. The doctor that spoke right after it happened on air tried to explain how painful the injury was to the horse and that it was for the best, but still, it is sad. Anyone hear how the jockey is doing? I know that riders/horses form quite a bond while training, not to mention, I heard he was thrown from the horse pretty far.
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?
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