[Riot]

[quote=Payson Dave]just wondering is it really the racing at two that promotes the longer careers or is it the way the numbers are sliced and diced??? QUOTE]

Yes, it's racing at two, but remember it's specfic reference is to bone, and to fractures causing breakdown subsequently over a horses career. I'll dig it up and send it to you privately.

It's a peer-reviewed published scientific retrospective study (I think it's at least 10 years old), and it's methodology has never been found wanting.

During all the public and industry attention and discussion surrounding Barbaro and Eight Belles, I know Dr. Steve Allday has said yes, we need to continue to race 2-year-olds, on Steve's show; I know Dr. Larry Bramlage has said the same in interviews post- Eight Belles (maybe in BloodHorse interview or article?) and it's one of the reasons why the American Association of Equine Practioners supports and encourages 2-year-old horse racing as necessary for the health and welfare of racing horses, versus implementing laws that prevent the racing of young horses, like the AR types would like.

This study, and others like it, have contributed to knowing confidently that the industry is doing the horses justice to race them as two-year-olds - we are not evil!

There is tons of information out there regarding racehorse safety. Obviously continued research is ongoing and important. Toe rims of a certain height were recently banned, and that wasn't an arbitrary thing. It's because it was found that short ones are safe, wearing long ones definitely predispose to injury.