Vet on morning line - racing horses young. Discussion.

[XenaWarriorPrincess]

This could probably go in the racing section aswell but thought it fitted in better here seen as its a health thing!

There is a head vet from a lambourn pratice on the morning line and he has just said that there is research that shows that horses that are started young have less injurys as it allows their tendons ect to strenghten up to it whilst they are still developing and growing.

Not that i would say i agree with racing them so young and that it doesnt cause problems as they get older but an interesting point.

Discuss.

[zboo]

I can see how getting them started on a lighter version of the work they will be doing when older might encourage correct development, but agree with you XWP that I don't like the idea racing them any younger than they already are. Haven't looked at the evidence either way though, so this is based on gut feeling rather than the research!

[nic]

Ive not got much to say in that I'm not a huge fan of racing...due to so many having such a short lived career and being tossed to one side if they are to slow/dont make the grade...oh well thats another topic all together!!:sleep:....
But a fair few years ago now when I lived in Suffolk ( not far from Newmarket) I remember watching a documentary about racehorses....they were comparing the cannon bone of a race horse form the 1920's or something to a modern 2000's cannon bone and the size difference was terrifying. The modern cannon bone was TINY compared to the older cannon bone....they were on about the stress of over breeding the thoroughbred for racing making them lighter and in the next breath making them more susceptible to injury....so I suppose that both issues would be linked...in some way shape or form!!

Does anyone know the reasoning behind starting racehorses so young?? As I dont really follow it, im now just wondering...Why??!! something ive never learned.......:ashamed:

[Tnavas]

MONEY! They cost so much to buy - even more to train and race so they want a return on their money fast.

I saw that reasoning in an article a while back - I find it hard to believe though having worked in the racing industry and seen the damage that happens to the horses, Sore shins, pulled tendons and ligaments, broken legs and damaged knees.

[nic]

MONEY! They cost so much to buy - even more to train and race so they want a return on their money fast.


Just for money???? There isnt any other reason??!!

[eeek]

Basically yes Nic! There are an awful lot of huge money races for 2 and 3 year olds, and I think the prospects for older horses aren't quite as 'exciting' and numerous on the flat. Early racing means early retirement to stud (for the good ones) which generates even more money.

[My Crazy Clan]

Like the others have said, I can see their side but still would never put a baby through that.

[eeek]

I'd say there might be something to be said for LIGHT work for 2yos - and only in fast-maturing breeds. So long-reining, maybe being led off another horse, maybe carrying a light rider for very short lengths of time, maybe pulling a very light trap short distances, yes (with a mature enough horse). But racing is not light work!

[helena]

The injuries from racing so hard at such a young age are awful. I would image that this head vet is getting a lot of his custom from the racing industry, so he's not likely to say anything against them.

I'm a director of the TRC, which picks up the pieces of the horses left by racing. It is rare for them to get a horse in which hasn't had an injury. For example last year they got one in from a trainer as 'it had started to drift to the left in training and racing'. The poor *** had a fractured pelvis, so not really surprising it couldn't run straight.

If you compare a 6 year old TB that has raced with one that hasn't, the raced one will be in a physically and mentally much worse state than the one that didn't race.

[so-n-so]

i think riding two or three year olds is just totally not right.... alot still have much growing to do and to put extra weight on their growing backs is just very selfish on peoples part....

whats the rush? its not just people in racing.. private owners just cant seem to wait to get on and gallop off into the sunset on their baby pony.....:mad:

i have a 3 yr old that iv sat on a few times - and NOTHING done with my two year old other then taking for walks IN HAND.

speaking from experience of having an old horse who was ridden heavy and driven hard in his younger days i know what implications the older horse can have. he suffered from back, joint problems and even tho he didnt look his age and he wanted to run about, his body couldnt do it...

[Teej]

Chip raced as a 2 year old and 'retired' as a 6 year old......... with a tendon injury ! He's suffered two injuries to the same tendon. So starting early didn't do Chip much good! My friend has a 6year old ex racer who retired last year. He also has a tendon injury !

[JJJ]

Starting horses early usually doesnt have anything to do with the injuries they may sustain. 2 yr olds will sustain more injuries to their legs due to the fact they will gallop on fast ground. Older horses will also break down through the strain that is applied to their legs when galloping/jumping......These injuries are just as common in eventers but you dont see them being slated for being 'cruel'.

[helena]

JJJ - starting them early does hugely impact on the injuries they sustain, it's well proven by research, but those in the racing industry are blind to it, as well as the fate of the 5000 horses a year that drop out of racing that they don't give a stuff about once their useful lives in racing are over. It's a heartless business.

Eventers are quite often going into their late teens, and are started slowly and properly as their owners want them to have a long career - you can't go from a newly broken horse to an advanced eventer in one year, unlike breaking in a race horse at 18 months who's career will peak at 3!!

[AndyL]

actually i think i know of at least 2 racing horses who 'didnt make the grade' who were bought up to do eventing (i think). first i know was Bailey's (the horse feed company), and second was Peter Durrant, again for eventing purposes (although i'll prob ask him if i got it wrong LOL). So the brief experience i have with racing is they arent thrown to curb when they're not useful...just depends the type of person really.

but about the question regarding racing young. although i have seen quite a few horses start racing at 2 years old (mostly exceptionaly talented horses i saw in Dubai...all were mares i think), i dont believe either that horses that havent fully developed should start racing professionaly. it will do a lot of damage on undeveloped areas, and may, in the long run make them useless when they retire if they happen to have had good successes...

HOWEVER! it is possible to start anybody early, but only if the support is available. best vets, food, supplements, tlc, everything.

[helena]

Yeah, but 2 eventing horses out of the 5000 that leave racing each year isn't exactly good odds, and they are really the exception to the rule.

Yes some horses do leave racing free from injury and get good sympathetic homes with people capable of reschooling them, and some owners do care where their horses go, but these are the minority of cases.

A 2 year old racing isn't even necessarily 2, as all TB 's have the same official birthday on 1st Jan, so if it were a June foal for example, it would be in full training well before it's 2nd birthday, and there is no way it's skeleton or tendons are mature at that age, even with the best supplements, feed and care in the world.

[Teej]

Hear hear Helena !