There's a lot that can be done. How about a nice "welcome home" stretch of surface that is nice and soft and safe after a race. On the side of the track for galloping out purposes only.

But status quo rules because as Steve pointed out, there is a lot of money being generated as is.

I am ... speechless.

(simply because I have a fondness for surfaces that are safe DURING the race, too )

Kind of like a runaway truck exit?

Attachment 740

First, the money being generated that I quoted is to demonstrate the breadth of the industry and the enormity of its' contribution to society at large.

Secondly, if you can't see that proactive forces are working on a constant basis to improve safety on the track, and further forces working dilligently to provide for horses after their racing careers end, then you're blind without a cane.

They're several threads going here regarding racehorse welfare, so forgive me if I'm repeating something already stated. I'd like to see the "use of the whip" a thing of the past. How can one ever justifying 'whipping" an animal and then justify that we care

Perhaps something else could be used as a substitute, something like a glove that is around the jockeys hand, something to get the horse's attention, but we have to get rid of the whip

Secondly, make the Kentucky Derby the big race, not for 3 y.o.'s, but 4 y.o.'s
Have their 3 year old season be their juvenile campaign, and do away with racing as 2 year olds. This will allow greater physical development prior to placing racing and workout type stress on their fragile bodies.

This would not be an argument that I would advance. You decry the lack of a "united" front among those in the horse industry - and then take a shot at a non-racing segment of it.

Understand your point. What I'm suggesting is that those attacking racing because of Saturday's events were oblivious to horses in far greater peril 50 miles away a week before. They're insincere and this is one major example of their insincerity. I'm not expecting Eventing and Thoroughbred Racing to provide a unified front. I'm asking that Racing take care of itself here.

well, found this in my e-mail, I guess it's at least something from somebody...

http://www.ntra.com/blog.aspx?blogid...&month=5&day=5

Not to be dismissive, but you're off base here, and suggesting this plays into the hands of those seeking attention for themselves. Horses need MORE work and racing at a young age to ensure proper development and maximum bone density.. NOT LESS. Tons of physiological studies back that up. And whip use can be addressed through the stewards enforcing 'excessive use' rules already in place.

DON'T PLAY THEIR GAME. The sport needs no instruction from people who know nothing about it.

Well, Steve, I'll certainly demurr to your educated opinion then my off the cuff speculation

Mike.. Didn''t want to come off as lecturing, but I can recall being party to this same discussion 5 years or so ago and I had the same initial, logical, view as you. But when I researched the views of raising young horses, the opinions and studies turn out to be pretty uniform: rigorous training and regular racing STRENGTHENS skeletal-muscular systems and generally provides the best opportunity for maximum bone density. Horses treated with kid gloves, under-trained and under-raced, are the ones that typically will react negatively to stress when they perform to their physical limits.

Peta to be at Preakness
 

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/45074.htm

I would be extremely dissapointed if a few of our quirkier racing fans at Pimlico and Belmont don't put a few good a.ss whoopings on the sissies that will be protesting.

Up for a road trip??:D

If they act like terrorists they must be treated as such. They financially support eco terrorism and have made public statements fanning the flames of violence against those that do not subscribe to their warped views.. Exactly how are they different than Al-Qaeda ?

And gosh, if anybody were to need bail money .....

If I didn't have to face criminal prosecution and the civil aspect of it I would be landing the first punch (slap if they're wearing glasses which most of them do)

And really an ass whooping is the perfect remedy for these mousy, malnourished assholefaces.

As said on another thread ... PETA throws paint on old ladies wearing fur coats. They do not throw paint on motocycle gangs wearing leather jackets.