"Without them, there's nothing"

[DerbyCat]

Originally Posted by SOREHOOF

Why shouldn't the people who are giving their $$ to PETA give it to horse retirement instead, then go out to the track and fall in love with racing?

I don't think it works that way... I fell in love with this sport five years ago, I loved watching the horses run (and betting on them) but never felt a true connection to the athletes themselves until I met a trainer and got the opportunity to visit his barn. Petting the horses, feeding them carrots and seeing their personalities up close made me fall in love with Horse Racing all over again but this time I truly saw the horses for more than just an animal to bet on... not many folks get that opportunity to *know* the horses. I saved a horse I met in my trainers barn after he was shipped of to a minor league track and got injured but I can tell you that this is not the route for everyone, saving a horse is expensive (just like owning them is) but it is so worth it. To this day, I donate to rescue groups because I know how hard it is to save even one, let alone the tens of thousands that need to be "saved" every year.

Most fans of this sport never get the opportunity to really get to know our star athletes. When I was at Del Mar a week ago I had the chance to meet Zenyatta in Shirreffs barn and I loved seeing her personality up close - she is a star and she knows it, I loved seeing that attitude in her! - but how many folks get to go to the backside of a track? Not many unless you have an owners license or know someone... track marketing departments could do so much more to help this sport by giving more small group tours of the backside, getting the average fan into winners circle photos - I've been known to bring random fans I meet at the track down into the paddock before a race or into the winners circle when my trainer wins a a race - he's ok with it, says the more folks in the photo, the better - and the response I get is wonderful, it brings the excitement of the sport into the lives of people that might not otherwise get to experience it.

I want people to love this sport and the animals that do all the hard work... the more we can do to get folks to support the animals that make this all possible, the better this sport will be. We can't forget the horse in the end... but unfortunately, too many of us do.

What have YOU, all of you, done lately to care for the animals that make this sport that you love so much? Where are we without the horses? Please donate to your local rescue group, they need it more than you even realize.