http://www.anwyn.com/2008/05/05/horses-too-young-to-run-for-the-roses/ Sometime editor, all-the-time mother, delivering facts, reviews, commentary, and rants. Occasionally in that order. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:01:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 http://www.anwyn.com/2008/05/05/horses-too-young-to-run-for-the-roses/#comment-329701 Sun, 11 May 2008 23:58:08 +0000 http://www.anwyn.com/2008/05/05/horses-too-young-to-run-for-the-roses/#comment-329701 *whinnies in agreement* *whinnies in agreement*

]]> http://www.anwyn.com/2008/05/05/horses-too-young-to-run-for-the-roses/#comment-323576 Tue, 06 May 2008 01:36:21 +0000 http://www.anwyn.com/2008/05/05/horses-too-young-to-run-for-the-roses/#comment-323576 Thanks for the link and the endorsement. I get into shaky ground when I start talking about how they're not bred for soundness, but they're not. Most thoroughbreds I know have thin hoof walls and more delicate feet than other breeds. I also wonder if racing them early then retiring to stud doesn't mask any soundness issues that a famous winning stallion might have. Not that I want them to race until they fall apart just to show that they're well-built. It would help if they waited until the horses are older. Can you imagine -- my horse flunked out of race training when she was two. Just a baby. Great for me, good for her, really a loss for her owner who decided to give the horse another career rather than try to make a racehorse out of a horse with no ambition to run. This kind of owner/investor should be applauded, though it was a business decision. Why waste any more money on a horse who needed a different job? Thanks for the link and the endorsement. I get into shaky ground when I start talking about how they’re not bred for soundness, but they’re not. Most thoroughbreds I know have thin hoof walls and more delicate feet than other breeds. I also wonder if racing them early then retiring to stud doesn’t mask any soundness issues that a famous winning stallion might have. Not that I want them to race until they fall apart just to show that they’re well-built. It would help if they waited until the horses are older. Can you imagine — my horse flunked out of race training when she was two. Just a baby. Great for me, good for her, really a loss for her owner who decided to give the horse another career rather than try to make a racehorse out of a horse with no ambition to run. This kind of owner/investor should be applauded, though it was a business decision. Why waste any more money on a horse who needed a different job?

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