richiebee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> On the breakdowns, I think too many horses are
> taken to the track under tack
> 5 and 6 days a week and it is not necessary--too
> much awkward pounding under
> heavy (and heavy handed) exercise riders. Once
> horses get fit, "tease em and
> breeze em".

This seems at first glance obvious, and always has. You used to be able to claim muscle bound horses from guys that overtrained; walk 'em, and win. Do you think the contstant pounding is due to ignorance, or that fact that they are working on stuff that "can't be let down". In English, since I use replacement hormones, if I stop exercising, I get a little crazy. er. There could be reasons they need the drilling that I don't understand, but I think it's important to remember that not every one is Allen Jerkens/Mike Hushion, with time to "listen", One to One. Mott still gives that impression, but I was always soft on him, since Taylor's Special.
Actually, Gasper had this part right maybe - then he got passed by with "smarter" trainers. He didn't over work them, is all I'm saying.

> A bigger problem than losing a few fans and a few
> hundred thousand in handle
> is the possibility that the animal rights folks,
> who recently came out
> vociferously following the unfortunate death of a
> carriage horse on the streets
> of Manhattan,will eventually turn their attention
> to thoroughbred racing.

I have to admit, this was my defninte SECOND reaction to Barbaro
breaking down in the LIMELIGHT.

Must be nice to have as a MAJOR concern, GOLF. Sounds like a life.