Shake You Down

[phystech]

Originally Posted by LARHAGE

I love racing and understand the risk versus rewards of racing, but to deny the inherent dangers to the horse's participating is clearly putting your head in the sand,

Please show me where I've "clearly put my head in the sand"? I am fully aware of the dangers of racing.

Originally Posted by LARHAGE

add an older warrior like Shake you Down with a lot of wear and tear and the risks are that much greater.

And there's a good point we can debate until we're blue in the face and neither of us would be right or wrong. My stance there is an old warrior like SYD is more apt to protect himself from severe injury as compared to a fresh, lightly raced horse that only knows to go out there and run his/her eyeballs out. I believe the newer horse is more apt to suffer a career ending injury than an old grizzled vet like SYD.

Originally Posted by LARHAGE

If he truly loves being around the track than they could use him as a pony while maintaining his dignity and protecting him from harm.

I couldn't agree with you more on that point. But, it's up to his owner, not us, to make that decision.