Triple Crown 2011 part 2- too young to race?

Go outside and look at a horse and observe his or her daily activities.. Does he run up and down the hill, buck and kick, or stay still, laying down?. Most likely they are running at some point, or rolling around in the dirt getting dirty. I am trying to paint a picture of what an ordinary horse would do, because there is some questions as if horse racing is abuse. I believe horses are raced a little too young, and the frequent use of steroids can have a tragic impact on the horse's bones and muscles and their development.

In the 2008 Kentucky Derby, a beautiful filly by the name of Eight Belles tragically lost her life, doing what she was born to do: run. Shes pictured to the left of this fyi. Although there were no drugs found in her body, she collapsed and broke both front legs, forcing her to euthanized.

So what do I think is the cause of thoroughbred fatalities on the track?

When thoroughbreds are 2 years of age they are in training to race, and are often residing at their place of birth until they are ready to be shipped off to trainers at various locations. Later in their 2nd year they race for the first time and some make it to the derby. Do you see anything wrong with this picture? When a horse s 2, they are not fully developed and they are usually more prone to tiny to serious injuries. I believe if a 2 year old is in training they should be trotting on the track, and not having full workouts as 3 year old thoroughbreds have. Galloping at 40 mph on those frail bones is a scary thought isnt it? .

Even at age 3 they are not fully developed but it is tradition that forces us have the Triple Crown races at age 3, and with such short time to rest and relax in between the three races. Theres nothing that can be done because it is TRADITION, but maybe for example, we should shorten the Kentucky Derby field from 20 horses to maybe 12?, in the early days that is how large the field was. 20 horses, crammed together, running in a pack on a dirt track is kinda asking for a disaster ( 2008 Eight Belles).

The use of a whip is also a call for concern. If you watch the 2008 derby, you will see Eight Belles' jockey whipping her , and whipping her, even though it is obvious she will finish 2nd behind Big Brown. please go watch it, and see what I mean.

Hand riding in my opinion is safer , and more effective, but if you have to use a whip maybe they should have a rule on how many times a jockey may whip his mount.

And lastly, the other reason I feel for horse racing fatalities is poor selection of sires. For example- Big Brown had a sire with bad feet, and Big Brown had frequent quarter cracks and other hoof related issues like his sire. Not all sires are defective, but there are a few who have known health problems, and some of those problems may be passed on to foals.

Horse racing is a beautiful , sport of the kings and every horse was born to run. Deny it you may try, but EVERY horse will run. If you stick a few thoroughbreds in a field, they will race one another,

pt 3 coming later