Is this being unfair?

[ShadowRoll]

The recent exasperation expressed by Shadai Stallion Station with War Emblem has dredged up some bad feelings in me. It just seems that many Japanese breeders, in a mad scramble to get good blood into their stock, will swoop in on recently retired American champions, offer ungodly amounts of money, and then whisk these horses away to less-then-happily-ever-after lives in Japan.

I realize that perhaps I'm being unfair. But I get the impression that they view horses differently in Japan, that they view horses much more as simple property than as living, feelings animals worthy of dignified treatment. I hear stories such as Ferdinand's (although, like with Exceller, this sort of tragedy isn't limited to Japan) and I hear anecdotes about horses turning mean (like Criminal Type), or developing mental problems (like War Emblem), after they ship to Japan.

Maybe I'm just expressing prejudice. Maybe it's not the treatment of the horses in Japan that has produced these problems. Maybe the problems with these horses would have occurred anyway, no matter where they ended up. But wouldn't it be ironic if War Emblem makes it back to these shores and manages to sire some champions?

[whodey17]

I think you are being a little harsh on Japan. I am sure Sunday Silence had a pretty good life over in Japan.

[estreetposse]

Maybe he just doesn't understand the language?