Signs of the Times

re: Signs of the Times

Abbie Knowles — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:26:18 GMT

Totally agree with rocknchef. Longer racing careers, soundness permitting, and a decreasing 2 year old emphasis would definitely be not only a boon to the business but help the horses! They cannot speak for themselves so i try and speak out for them if possible!

Horses are such noble, intelligent creatures who give their all for our enjoyment in a lot of cases and a lot deserve better treatment than they get. Glad to see improvements are being made and i applaud Fairmount! Hope others follow suit and well done to all the Rehabilitation, rescue and racehorse (and indeed all animal) sanctuaries!

Animals give us so much. They deserve the best possible care from us too!

God Bless

Best wishes

Abbie

re: Signs of the Times

rocknchef — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:56:18 GMT

i agree with this article and the other one. There are a ton of Storm Cat stallions being bred just because they are by Storm Cat. If they raced marginally or had no talent to begin with, and owners are just trying to get back a huge investment in a stud fee,then there should be some restrictions . Just because your a Storm Cat doesnt mean you'll be a Storm Cat. Restricting/limiting breeding, encouraging longer racing careers into 4 and 5 via purses and championship races and decreasing 2 year old emphasis will definitely be a boon to the business.

re: Signs of the Times

Abbie Knowles — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 03:54:26 GMT

Honesty is important in any sphere of life so certainly in all areas of racing. Agree too that we need more "ordinary" owners as long as they love their horses and want what's best for them in the long term. Not every horse is going to make it as a racehorse but many could turn their hooves to something else!!!! Slaughter of the slow or moderate should not be inevitable!

Totally agree with most of what is written here in what is a well thought out and sensible article. (Not keen on the word blog to be honest; an ugly word if their is such a thing!!!) Very much hope the last paragraph proves true and yes not everything is always as it appears!

re: Signs of the Times

Umatilla Joe — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 03:23:10 GMT

you'sre right. the shake out is not going to be easy, especially in an industry that has had so much trouble with getting along with each other (see FHBPA and Kentucy horsement vs. Churchill Downs.) We were racing trying to make a profit while this was going on. This economy is going to force a change, just as you point out, and it will not be without casualities. Hopefully the sport we love can survive it, probably with fewer horses, fewer tracks, lower stud fees, and casinos taking the place of the lower numbers of handicappers. We have to face it, handicappers are where the money comes from to begin with, and it's not like it was in the past. Life is different with our instant gratifications on the internet, sports betting, and casinos. We have to adapt and change. I'm glad I only have two mares and still haven't committed them.

re: Signs of the Times

txhorsefan — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:21:28 GMT

Since I have no vested interest in racing, other than simply being a fan, this makes so much sense to me. If these difficult times create fewer horses, in the long run, it will be the horses who win, because more of them may have a chance to be competitive and do well, therefore less likely to end up in the slaughter pipeline of the unwanted.

re: Signs of the Times

Bellwether — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:39:37 GMT

good stuff & thanks for caring about the sport...Geldings going to make a comeback!!!...need to chill on stallions...slow all breeding on planet wouldn't hurt either...LLTK!!!...