This is an aside titled 'Eight Belles was Just a Baby' dated 5/4/08
“There are ethical ways to train and ride horses, but the competitiveness going on in all parts of the industry these days is pretty horrifying. Thoroughbred race horses are “backed” (first ridden) at one and a half years of age, raced at 2. Derby horses are 3 years old. In other disciplines, most horses aren’t ridden at all until they are at least 3 years old. [Eight Belles] broke down because she was a big baby.” - Audacia Ray. “Their bone skeletons seem to be getting lighter and frail,” says Sally Jenkins, “Is Horse Racing Breeding Itself to Death?”
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One Response to “Eight Belles was Just a Baby”
Posted by: John M. - 05/05/2008
Some distant relatives of mine owned a few racetracks around the country. My father and I worked for them years back. I also spent a summer as a groom at a racetrack outside of New Orleans.
One thing I found out that was a bit shocking: Thoroughbred legs are so thin, that carrying all that weight is the equivalent of a human walking on two index fingers.
Those horses are in pain, all the time. If animals can be ‘insane’, some of the horses I’ve dealt with would qualify.
Also, all racehorses have a birthdate of January 1st. If a horse is born on December 31st, the next day, they are one year old. Breeders prefer to have their horses born in January as it give them an advantage over those born later in the year. This can have predictable consequences for horses born late, as they are ‘rushed’ into racing before they might be ready.
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