The Mad Genius: Mike Dickinson at it again
 

From the Bloodhorse Chat transcript:

Las Vegas, NE
Other than synthetic tracks, what other changes
would you recommend to make horse racing safer?

Dickinson: I would like to see the starting gate replaced
by the Standardbreds type moving truck. The starting gate
can be scary for horse and rider, and we’ve all witnessed
some horrific scenes when the horse is upside down.

Even if the horse is standing correctly, there is always a risk
for even further injury when he pushes off with so much power
from a standing start. It is dangerous to stifles and the injuries
are not uncommon due to force needed in a starting gate.

The drawback in this plan would be the loss of jobs for the gate crew
who, along with the farriers, are the unsung heroes of racing.
The gate crews are brave, skillful, and compassionate --
and I would hate to see any of them without a well paid job.
Two is to abolish anabolic steroids and three is the change the whip rules.


What do you think?

TRANSCRIPT
http://www.bloodhorse.com/talkinhorses/MD120706.asp

Definitely agree with number two. They should be abolished from racing, except for those cases where horses absolutely need them for issues other than enhancing their performance potential.

Not sure about the logic of keeping a starting gate that is currently used now around just to keep the gate crew gainfully employed. Thats sort of like saying that cigarettes are a good thing because the tobacco industry employs thousands of people.

If these things are that dangerous to horse's well being than it needs to be improved or removed. I'm all for gainful employment but at the expense of horse's lives?

I like all 3. I dont like the starting gate at all.

I don't like the starting gate either, but thoroughbred racehorses who gallop are not like Standardbred pacers and trotters. I don't like his idea of using a running start either.

It would be hysterical to watch. Can you imagine a horse like Proud Tower Too breaking from a running start :eek:

Listen to the Mad Scientist. He will never steer you wrong.

He feeds his horses eggs. Enough said.

Actually, I feed my horses jell-o as a remedy for sore soles, so I can't really talk. I do agree with him feeding his horses beer though, but I wouldn't feed them eggs because they are an animal by-product.

I dont think they should start like Standardbreds. Maybe if the starting gate was somehow safer then I would be for it.

He should be embarrassed for that starting gate comment....

I wonder when Cetewayo will be back racing again....

that's very interesting....I assume it's the gelatin.

but...
The production of gelatin starts with the boiling of bones, skins, and hides of cows and pigs, a process that releases the protein-rich collagen from animal tissues. The collagen is boiled and filtered numerous times, dried, and ground to a powder. Because the collagen is processed extensively, the final product is not categorized as a meat or animal product by the federal government. Very strict vegetarians avoid gelatin entirely, but more permissive vegetarians have no problem including JELL-O in their diets.

It would be sweet if they did it like they do with hurdles, same as how they did it before starting gates. Just mill the horses about, then BOOM, some sap raises a flag and awwway they go!

My wife is a vegetariian and she avoids gellatin.

Dickinson is the emporer's new clothes personified. He doesn't even run his horses.

Yawn.

Eggs are a direct animal by product. I have no problem when people feed their horses indirect by products such as jell-o, Calf Manna, and others.

Eggs also contain an enormous amount of protein, which I meet the protein requirements just fine by feeding my horses the correct legume/grass hay, processed grain, and supplements made for horses.

We also feed our youngsters Calf Manna, which is a by product of cow's milk. However, we have to be extremely careful when feeding that because it can cause epiphysitis in growing bones.

That is correct. Gelatin works superbly for sore soles.

Why all the hatin' on the starting gate? Does anybody really want to see a running start ala harness racing? LEAVE THINGS AS THEY ARE and tell Dickinson to put down the crack pipe.

We had a gelding that loved cheeseburgers. LOL :D

I know it's wrong... but hey, he liked them. :eek:

I've never been near or in a starting gate, although I figure that the ones at the major tracks have plenty of padding in them.

You're right though. I hate it when a horse rears or flips in the starting gate.

I have a question: Why is it that the fillies always seem to be worse than the colts in the starting gates? I work around youngsters all of the time and have never figured that out. I will admit that fillies always tend to be more sensitive than the colts though. Perhaps fillies are just more tempermental overall.

Us bitches don't like to be crowded... give us some room! HAHA :D

I'll give ya room ... can I still carry a whip?