Staking Claims: Midwest Thoroughbreds - By Esther Marr

re: Staking Claims: Midwest Thoroughbreds - By Esther Marr

sheba — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:14:29 GMT

i spent 30 years in the thoroughbred business...trained, managed 3 large farms , broke babies, bred mares, foaled and broke two Breeder's Cup winners.I always felt they loved running but how do we know? yes they love running, they only evolved as a species because they could run; flight was their only defense.But when we confine them we go against every natural instinct they have.who says they love running around and around in circles turning only left carrying a human who is whipping them?In the wild, flight is their key to existence,confinement is not. in the wild the only thing they ever carried on their back was a lion who invariably killed them. I'm not opposed to racing: it fed my family for many years.

But please don't chacterize it as some kind of humane enterprise. It's all about the money. Yes the good ones get the ultimate care. And yes many of the others that are in the care of compassionate people do as well. But that they love what we call "running" is a very subjective statement that is totally conjecture.

re: Staking Claims: Midwest Thoroughbreds - By Esther Marr

Cris — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:50:34 GMT

Dawn, It sounds like he is saying when his horses are not running 100% he gives them time off instead of running. Could be time off at the farm, but its time off anyhow. This is a nice story about someone who loves the sport.

re: Staking Claims: Midwest Thoroughbreds - By Esther Marr

Dawn in MN — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:35:03 GMT

Whew!

My mom always said don't ask the question if you don't want the answer. I never learn.

On the other hand, thank you Richard for all you are doing with Thoroughbreds and thank you Esther for putting my heart at ease. Canterbury Park re-opened last night, free admission tonight. Life is good!

re: Staking Claims: Midwest Thoroughbreds - By Esther Marr

Esther Marr — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:51:08 GMT

Dawn, Richard actually stressed to me how he was very involved with Thoroughbred retirement and making sure his horses find proper homes when they are finished racing. So that was refreshing to hear! Thanks for reading!

re: Staking Claims: Midwest Thoroughbreds - By Esther Marr

edrul427 — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:14:37 GMT

Congratulations on your winning formula.It really has to be good for having such great success

re: Staking Claims: Midwest Thoroughbreds - By Esther Marr

Dawn in MN — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:21:46 GMT

Midwest blue collar, I loved this Esther, thank you for a truly refreshing story.

I have to admit that when I read

"...We give the horses the right time off, and if the horse is not 100% sound, I never send it back to the track.”

I wondered where they do send them?

That's a question that I do not want answered. I'd rather think of all the great horses they are training and racing. I'll be watching for Jaime Ness and Midwest Thoroughbreds in these parts...if they race here and if Canterbury Park ever re-opens. If wishes were horses and all that.