Horse Racing

[Iain]

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Who here is a big fan of horse racing? I am not referring to being a punter, just really enjoying the sport, and following it closely. I would definitely say Steeplechases are my fav. 5 foot jumps, and growing up in England where the Grand National is the biggest race of the year - you learn to love it. I also like the fact the horses are older when they race.

I do enjoy the flat racing too, it is fast and exciting, however it does take it toll on the horses - I come across more young horses, that have leg problems, and other quirks from the flat tracks then you can wave a stick at.

The only racing I never followed were the trotters. It is said that fewer horses have to be destroyed on this circuit, then any other - but I just never had the desire to go and watch it!

I am not sure when I started liking racing. I know when I was 10 I was working, a couple Point-to-Pointers at the local barn which was great fun, I guess it grew from there. My eventual goal is to be the track vet - probably not the most demanding field, but I could not imagine anything better, then going to the races everyday, and taking care of the horses!

 

[youthman]

Go for it! Sounds fun...

I race a different kind of horse on weekends:

(I'm driving the red mustang)

 

[natelam]

You would be surprised, equine track vets make some of the most money, but they are also under some of the highest pressure.

 

[Iain]

I am definitely surprised - they're 1099, and although per day the pay is very competitive they are only paid on days there are races. I am sure if you are used by the trainers, it would be a good living - but if you ever had to make an unpopular decision, it could become a very difficult situation.

 

[PAThbrd]

I love racing!!! Thoroughbred flat racing, follow it pretty closely, im currently in about 3200th place out of 23000 or so in the road to the roses challenge! hehe 🙂 I go to school about 15 minutes from Keeneland Racecourse and am very excited about opening day, 3 weeks from today! woo hoo! When I graduate from vet school, I either want to do theriogenology work with problem broodmares or surgery with track injuries and such, who knows, i definately want to work with the TBs though! 🙂

 

[Iain]

I think there is more demand for getting Stallions to perform - especially considering the fate of horses like Ferdinand (the 86' Kentucky Derby Winner), and the other Kentucky Derby winner, who the insurance company had to pay out millions for because of loss of use. I think people value the sire's side much more then the dam's.

 

[PAThbrd]

I think people value the sire's side much more then the dam's.

Which is a shame because 50% of the genetic makeup comes from the dam. And x-linked traits (such as heart size) can be a huge factor in race performance and for the colts, this is all coming from mum. And the personality of the mare often rubs off on the foal as they spend their imprint period and formative months learning from the mare, and personality has a lot to do with the competitive drive. Stallions are easily replaced though, which makes cases like Ferdinand all too common and sad 🙁

 

[njac]

eh, I think horse racing in this country is only good for providing me with a plethora of cheap resale prospects. But for everyone I can resell for $10K there were 4 who were had the AQR (Ain't Quite Rights) - really sad how many 3 and 4 year olds are too sore to do anything even with months of let down.

I work at a diagnostic vet lab right now and it is nice to see how many CBCs come in from the track. The numbers on some of my guys when they've come off the track have been insane.

 

[VeganSoprano]

Not I. I find the concept of subjecting an animal to potentially harmful conditions merely for human entertainment to be absolutely morally repulsive.

 

[Iain]

Not I. I find the concept of subjecting an animal to potentially harmful conditions merely for human entertainment to be absolutely morally repulsive.

But isn't that the case all equestrian sports? I think racing is far more 'natura'l then most other equestrian sports - you can frequently see wild herds galloping about. I have come accross very few horses who do not enjoy running -

 

[njac]

But isn't that the case all equestrian sports? I think racing is far more 'natura'l then most other equestrian sports - you can frequently see wild herds galloping about. I have come accross very few horses who do not enjoy running -

all horses enjoy a good gallop in the field, but not as intensely as race training goes (often starting before they are 2 years old - comparable to all of the 2 year old girls in heavy gymnastics training) - hence the breakdowns. If the all mighty dollar weren't so important and they would wait until they are 4 or 5 for the bigger races (Triple Crown, etc) I don't think we would see so many breakdowns. Also, think about all of the pasture injuries that occur. Galloping, even on perfect footing, can cause all sorts of injuries either at liberty or under saddle.

and of course the person with Vegan in their title thinks horse racing is wrong. They're probbaly a member of PETA too 🙄

 

[Iain]

I agree about starting them so young - have a quick read of my first post 😉

 

[VeganSoprano]

But isn't that the case all equestrian sports? I think racing is far more 'natura'l then most other equestrian sports - you can frequently see wild herds galloping about. I have come accross very few horses who do not enjoy running -

Sure, horses enjoy running. But there is nothing natural about horse racing as it's practiced. It's harmful to the horses and is certainly not practiced for their enjoyment. It's practiced so people can make money. If horse racing were practiced so that the horses' safety were the end for which nothing would be sacrificed, I wouldn't have a problem with it. But that's certainly not the case.

And no, I am not a "member" of PETA, thanks very much.

 

[Iain]

Sure, horses enjoy running. But there is nothing natural about horse racing as it's practiced. It's harmful to the horses and is certainly not practiced for their enjoyment. It's practiced so people can make money. If horse racing were practiced so that the horses' safety were the end for which nothing would be sacrificed, I wouldn't have a problem with it. But that's certainly not the case.

That really depends on the horse. I currently have one horse that loves racing, and needs to be taken on the gallops at least once a week preferably with other horses. He had 10 starts, 2 firsts, and a place - towards the end he started bucking his Jockeys off (his name was Klick Your Heels), so he was sold on.

Different horses like different things - I had a mare I used to play polo on. She was 18 (quite old for polo), and was a total machine, she got so excited going onto the field, she did not know what to do with herself!!

I find racehorses receive some of the best care available. Have a look at JonJo O'Neill's place, it looks fabulous to me - http://www.jonjooneillracing.com/

 

[HopefulUGACVM]

Lots of misconceptions on here! First... The Triple Crown is run by 3 year olds only, not older 4 and 5 year olds. Second, track vets are very busy and have a lot of responsibility. Often, track vets are expected to do things under the table that you may not agree with. But if you don't do it, or you don't keep it all hush hush... you don't get work, or money. In fact, this is the case for equine vets in general.

Third, Stallions are far more prized not because of how much genetic influence they have (50%) or how much personality rubs off, but by the mere fact that 1 Stallion can breed VERY many times in one breeding season, whereas a mare can only be bred once (or so if she doesn't take... but can only have one foal) and is in foal for 11 months. Stallions rake in much more money than mares do as well, so yes, their productivity is very important.

Fourth, a 2 yr old equine is MUCH different mentally and physiologically than a 2 yr old human.

All that said, I like horse racing to a degree, but I have rescued too many horses from going to the slaughterhouse to be naive. There is a lot of nasty stuff that goes on.

 

[VeganSoprano]

That really depends on the horse. I currently have one horse that loves racing, and needs to be taken on the gallops at least once a week preferably with other horses. He had 10 starts, 2 firsts, and a place - towards the end he started bucking his Jockeys off (his name was Klick Your Heels), so he was sold on.

Different horses like different things - I had a mare I used to play polo on. She was 18 (quite old for polo), and was a total machine, she got so excited going onto the field, she did not know what to do with herself!!

I find racehorses receive some of the best care available. Have a look at JonJo O'Neill's place, it looks fabulous to me - http://www.jonjooneillracing.com/

There is a huge difference between racing your horse because he really enjoys it and racing him because you want to make $ from it. Once you have commodified the animal's aptitude for a certain activity (like racing), the picture changes entirely and the animal's well-being almost inevitably takes a backseat to money.

You can't tell me that the Triple Crown is governed by anything other than the almighty dollar.

 

[Iain]

Just out of interest, how much experience do you have with horses? I have yet to find a horse who is good at something that they do not enjoy.

 

[njac]

Lots of misconceptions on here! First... The Triple Crown is run by 3 year olds only, not older 4 and 5 year olds. Second, track vets are very busy and have a lot of responsibility. Often, track vets are expected to do things under the table that you may not agree with. But if you don't do it, or you don't keep it all hush hush... you don't get work, or money. In fact, this is the case for equine vets in general.


Fourth, a 2 yr old equine is MUCH different mentally and physiologically than a 2 yr old human.

All that said, I like horse racing to a degree, but I have rescued too many horses from going to the slaughterhouse to be naive. There is a lot of nasty stuff that goes on.

you misread my post. I am an eventer focusing on dressage right now, I said 2y/os are similar to 12 year old humans - comparing gymnasts to babie intraining.

Anyway, horses love to have a job. Last time I was horsehunting I was checking out claimers at the cheap track - there was one who was 9 or 10 years old - he was led to the paddock in a halter with no chain (an anomaly!) - they threw the jock up and he calmly went to the gate without being ponied - he finished middle of the pack with his ears pricked and was back to a trot within 5 strides of the wire. That horse knew his job, and god do I ever wish I had the money that day to take him home.

 

[Iain]

I am an eventer focusing on dressage right now.

Knowing very little about Dressage - one of my old mares new owner just bought a young gelding whose was sired by Flemmingh. This horse is money - it moves like a King! I am sure I will get to ride it once the new car smell has worn off, and my old mare gets healthy again (my biggest concern right now). She has a sore back, and possibly something else - she went down while being tacked up the other day - EEK!

Out of interest what are you guys paying for horses off the track??

 

[HopefulUGACVM]

(often starting before they are 2 years old - comparable to all of the 2 year old girls in heavy gymnastics training) - hence the breakdowns. If the all mighty dollar weren't so important and they would wait until they are 4 or 5 for the bigger races (Triple Crown, etc) I don't think we would see so many breakdowns.

[snip]

and of course the person with Vegan in their title thinks horse racing is wrong. They're probbaly a member of PETA too 🙄

Not trying to pick a fight at all, just wanted to point out the typo... no biggie, I agree with you there.

Also, note that 2 year olds in a good workout program have been found to have greater bone density than those who were made to wait.

The horses I have gotten off the track (at sales, not from trainers directly) were bought for a little over the price of meat, it just depends on what the price is at any given time. But in general have gotten them for between $500-$750. Many of these had injuries ranging from bone chips and osselets to shattered shoulders (from starting gate accident) and broken legs. But not all from the sales are dead lame or broken down. You can find some gems!

You can get a horse directly off the track for anywhere between $800 and $3500 from trainers who take really good care of their horses. You can either go through an agent who will take you to the backside (you can't go on your own!) or you can go through an organization such as CANTER at www.canterusa.org (they are a really great organization!)

The horse racing industry isn't all bad, and I enjoy a good day at the races!