It is completely inaccurate to state that the racing industry is corrupt based on the one drug-related QH racing place/ They were obviously not in it for the horses at all even though they had an All American Futurity winner, I think.
Where are yearlings run til their lungs bleed, Jill?
It is also an outright LIE that no one cares about the horses. That burns me up - no, it makes me furious - every time I hear someone who obviously has never worked at a track or on a breeding farm say that. Or even hung around a track for any extended period of time. You might as well say all mini people hate the horses and just view them as inventory - it would be just as accurate. There may be a small percentage of owners and breeders out there IN ANY BREED/DISCIPLINE who do look at things purely from a numbers and inventory standpoint but the majority do not. So just because I know of a few mini breeders/trainers who gave their stallion liposuction or had other "work" done - it means that EVERYONE does it all the time. That is the kind of logic in play here that simply does not add up.
I am not just blowing hot air here. I have worked on the backstretch (both TBs and Standardbreds). I have worked on a breeding farm (both TBs and Standardbreds). I have prepped yearlings for the big sales in Keeneland. I have sat next to a farm manager in the straw when he could not revive a stillborn foal from his favourite mare and broke down in tears. Yeah - he hated the darn horses all right. Of course he did. I know - someone will say he was lamenting the lose of potential $$$$. NO, he was lamenting the loss of a life. But I guess people who were not in that stall that February night know better. That guy cared deeply for all the horses - and followed them throughout their careers, making sure they had good homes when they were no longer racing.
What makes people think that anyone who puts in those long hours doing tedious work on the backstretch must hate the horses? I am sorry - but every time I read a less than factual, sneering, blanket statement like that... I see red. No one puts in those hours and basically dedicates their life to the horses - who hates them.
More show horses are badly treated than racing TBs. Subjected to gimmicky training, physical alterations and devices all for a cheap blue ribbon. And yes - DRUGS.
I do not care for two year olds racing - but at least they have light weight on their backs centered over their center of gravity and are doing what horses love to do - run. What about the endless two year old futurities for stock horse breeds? Where babies are asked to pivot and spin and turn and may have a 200 pound weight sitting back on its pockets in their backs? Look at some of the bigger (in physical size as well as reputation) QH and Paint trainers - where is the outrage directed at them? Outrage is only selectively convenient, it seems.
No matter that our neighbour down the road has ruined three Paint two year olds. Overworked in deep footing they were not physically capable of holding up to, their front legs are a mess. No problem - she just buys a new one for 5 figures and goes back to the same trainer. The medicine cabinet in her barn is alarming...
You do know that drug tests are constantly run in a random fashion? You do know that a vet is on hand at the starting gate to ascertain if a horse is not warming up correctly and/or seems "off" - and can scratch them even at the last minute? When was the last time you saw a show horse pulled at the gate by a vet - oh, wait.
As far as breakdowns and injuries at the track go - yes, sadly it happens - even to the best, most conscientious trainers at the upper levels. Do you have any idea how much work and research goes into footing and anatomy and mangement to try and prevent that? Not that I expect the naysayers here to have noticed this or care - but the past few years have been full of fabulous horses with caring, open trainers and owners who have stirred people's hearts and brought many back to racing. Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta were stars. Superstars. Zenyatta's owners and trainer even had regular visitng hours with her at her barn. Everything was open and above board. The track is not an opium den as many would have you believe. They brought out crowds of what many here must think were delusional morons instead of intelligent racing fans and horse lovers who appreciated great horses and the good people that go with them. They retired sound. Happy. And they each have a colt at heel this spring.
Some of the biggest breeders in the country have taken back one of their own 10 years after the fact when he/she turned up at one of the bottom level tracks and then was headed for Mexico. They take responsibility for their horses for the duration of their lives. How many horse breeders do you know who do that? Or even dog breeders?
If the industry and the people in it are so evil as some maintain - why all the support groups and charities for injured horses and jockeys. Why all the organizations that help horses off the track find new homes and/or careers? What about the edicts some tracks have issued fining and banning any trainer who is discovered to have dumped horses at an auction for meat or sodl them to a meat dealer?
No - it must be a fact that the entire industry is evil and corrupt - based on a lot of conjecture and finger pointing and some bad episodes instead of the big picture.
This past week, I'll Have Another - who IMO would have been the next Triple Crown Champion - was pulled from the Belmont Stakes due to a bit of tendonitis. They did the right thing for that horse and yet were heaped with un-founded accusations. They thought of the horse first - and yet were vilified. I can guarantee you that many show horses were out in the ring that same weekend, performing on that same kind of tendon injury - as at that stage it appeared to be just a bit of inflammation that you could hose and treat.
Sorry to get a bit heated and longwinded- but maybe some facts are preferable to a litany of generalizations, misinformation and condemnation.
