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The problem with the weights is only a problem because the jockeys say it is.
Like Da Hoss said, where do you draw the line? If you are too big and can't make weight naturally then it is YOUR fault if you resort to flipping, not horse racings.
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The jockeys say it is a problem, because they are the ones suffering the permanent adverse health consequences with heart and kidney damage, esophageal erosions, etc. in exchange for a career of any length. They have the same health problems anorexic and bulemic young women do.
It's easy for an 18-year-old to make weight, but a thin-framed adult guy 5' 5" should weigh in at least 125 (still under ideal healthy body condition), but with the muscling needed to ride a horse, the bone-mass needed to support that muscle 135-140 is fair and still quite thin. We ask them to be, what, 110-118 or 120?
I haven't heard of any jockey shortages. As long as countries in South American continue to be 2nd and 3rd world (thus reliable producers of shorter, lighter-framed people due to decades of impoverished health and nutritional conditions), we will be able to get short, thin, lightweight kids trained ride racehorses.
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In the end the horses will pay the price.
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What top weights do you think fair (safe) for 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds? The current weight allowances?
In your experience is it true, or just impression from legend, that average weights horses in the handicap division are asked to carry have lowered over the last 50 years?