Equine Recoup for Racehorses?

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

Equine Recoup for Racehorses?

justice · Grand Prix

I see it as another opportunity for another shortcut around better, smarter breeding and training. Right up there with synthetic track footing.

jmo, not figuring anybody else will see it that way.

-- Edited by justice on Tuesday 29th of March 2011 12:45:26 PM

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

I gotta say, I feel the same. If it were for the benefit of the horse to maximize their natural talent, that would be one thing, but I don't think that's the case. However, I think Thoroughbred (specifically) breeding advancements have been fairly stagnant for the last few decades. Every so often there are "super horses", but I think we've plateaued as far as creating athletes with the maximum athletic ability an animal can have before it turns into something like.. a cheetah :P There's always room for improvement, and we can alter the genes we choose to combine in order to produce horses more suited to the things we expect them to do, but I think we're reaching the top of the scale here.

Who knows :) I'm certainly no expert. Just my $0.02 ;)

justice · Grand Prix

I know virtually nothing of the grittier, inner racing process but I would be happy, even more excited, to see slower race times(distances are moot), longer careers for the horses ON the track. Older start mandates for the horses will allow heavier (reads: healthier) weight minimums for the jockeys, less critical breakdown, less incidents of it and/or just not so fragile all the way around, thus less need for some chemicals. This would benefit ALL involved. Gee. Even the horses ; )

The only interest I might have in such a drug and its use would be after a given injury, upon retirement of the horse from racing, in hopes of salvaging/recouping : ) what is left for a new career, long term, suitable home.

-- Edited by justice on Thursday 31st of March 2011 04:33:46 PM

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

As always, you steal my thoughts. I really like your thoughts about jockey weight minimums, as well. I remember (bear with me, cheesy analogy) watching Seabiscuit when it first came out: there's a scene where Red is "monitoring" what he eats in order to gain/lose weight as necessary. This is probably an almost unheard-of problem in the "real world" because we're more concerned with anorexic celebrities, or ballerinas purging to look pretty, but I think weight/eating disorders in jockeys could be a fairly large problem.

Everyone get fat and run slowly!

justice · Grand Prix

Weight management for jockeys trying to meet and maintain weight has long been aa widespread issue as is the inavailability of decent health insurance and benefits suitable to the occupational hazards they face daily. Not too many companies want to insure jockies affordably. Sx to be penalized for doing something you love, y'know?

Anyway, jockeys have suffered since the inception of horseracing from renal failure, drug addictions, alcoholism, bulemia/anorexia, cardiac conditions, diabetes, neuropathies and a plethora of digestive upsets all in the name of making weight. No weight, no ride. No ride, no home. Injuries from the ride not included.... Can be a good life I suppose, some make it on their own tho only few, but it sure is a hard one. It is the rare one that can retire healthy and better than 40 years old with minimal scars and pain. I know it is a voluntary vocation, what career isn't? They just deserve better.

-- Edited by justice on Thursday 31st of March 2011 04:59:41 PM

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

Agreed. I don't think jockeys get enough credit in the racing world. But I think that might lead to a large off-topic discussion ;)

Nikki Salo · Grand Prix

Not to mention getting up at 3am just to ride somebody's horse for free in hopes that they'll hire you to ride the horse later in the day in a race (this includes big names too). The jockey life is a hard life, I give kudos to anybody who is a jockey as a career choice.

justice · Grand Prix

Racing is a broad topic on so many levels. Easy for me to stray off topic. See? TOLDya I couldn't go out in public without meds/supervision.. : ) Sorry!

Back to you, Ash : )

-- Edited by justice on Friday 1st of April 2011 05:20:07 PM