Horse Racing
Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 03:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
debris4spike
Although you can't see it in the icon, I have just taken DJ over a small jump ... and am heading for another one.
However since I started riding, I have always avoided even the mention of racing.
I like the fact it exists - as it is part of our English heritage ... but seeing horses break legs completely finishes me. I was with Toni when Suiffy was fatally injured ... and lost Jaykub to a broken leg. Although both died in very simple accidents, the races does have a high mortality rate.
Anyway - last week I went to the last meeting of the Newton Abbot Races for 2010. I went on a coach trip, to "celebrate" a 50th Wedding Anniversary - sadly, he had died a couple of months ago. So, I decided to go, to support my friend, Kathy, as that is what friendship should be about (IMHO)
It rained - and when I say it rained ... I mean it! Some of my pictures are impossible as I hve a wet lens - however here are 17 pictures, posted in the order they were taken - so see the puddles get bigger, although the last race was actually run in the dry!
I enjoyed the day - glad I went ... and
"No horses were injured in the taking of these photos"
In the paddock - getting ready for the race -
Half way through the day - look at that ground -
Stabling -
Walking around the paddock -
Yes, I'm still partial to greys -
I do not bet ... but, I really should have done, shouldn't I? Look at his owner's initials!
The last winner of the day - over the last jump -
The last horse coming home - yes, #1 ... the others pulled up, as it was HEAVY going.
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Date: 2010-09-15 02:59 pm (UTC)As an aside, we're going to an SCA event at the end of the month and there will be an equestrian contest happening. I've got an e-mail in to the coordinator to find out if I can participate (on a borrowed horse). Either way, I'll make sure to get tons of pictures. :)
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Date: 2010-09-15 04:53 pm (UTC)Taking photos of moving horses is hard ... but hope to see some pics ...
And, Good Luck!
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Date: 2010-09-15 03:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-15 04:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-15 03:07 pm (UTC)Years ago my daughter had a friend whose mother was an exercise rider at the NYC race tracks. She would get up at ungodly early hours to go to the tracks. I think that she and her husband at the time had steeplechase horses too. Her husband was an artist who made a living being a steeplechase jockey.
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Date: 2010-09-15 04:56 pm (UTC)The horses are beautiful animals - and are well cared for ... and it was "fun" to see them (and their riders) get as muddy as DJ, Jaykub and I have been!
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Date: 2010-09-15 03:15 pm (UTC)I grew up going to rodeos. I went to my first horse race at Louisiana Downs just after I got divorced. (Was trying to lead an exciting life) The very first race, a horse fell and broke two legs. From where I was sitting I could see them shoot the horse and flip it onto a tarp to drag it away. I had to leave and go inside. I couldn't watch any more of the races. It broke my heart. I'll never go to another race.
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Date: 2010-09-15 04:59 pm (UTC)Those horses will have been very tired as the mud was deap ... great to see them get as muddy as DJ, after his rolling.
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Date: 2010-09-15 09:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-15 11:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-16 07:08 am (UTC)And, anyone who says horses don't want to race each other have never been with friends in an open space ... been there, done that ... got the bruises!
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Date: 2010-09-15 03:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-15 05:01 pm (UTC)The problem with rain and racing means they are running in soup - harder work, but, actually, not as slippery!
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Date: 2010-09-15 03:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-15 05:03 pm (UTC)They are beautiful animals - and althogh I didn't bet (even on the "James" horse) ... some of the group I was with gained ... but one man lost £200 ... in one race!
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Date: 2010-09-15 09:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-16 07:09 am (UTC)That was 10+ years ago - treatments improve all the time.
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Date: 2010-09-15 05:01 pm (UTC)Those owners initials are tempting to place a bet *gg*
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Date: 2010-09-15 05:04 pm (UTC)Yes, that horse was so, so tempting ... and coming third, wasn't too bad ... I would have placed him first, myself!
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Date: 2010-09-15 05:59 pm (UTC)I don't really have an issue with horse racing, although admittedly I know much more about flat racing than steeplechasing. I know there is a high risk of injury for horses in both types of racing, but I don't think it's worse than in many other sports, including show jumping, reining, and barrel racing. Reining horses are often started as young as two years old, which places excess strain on growing joints and shortens a horse's working life. Show jumping can lead to arthritis in the knees and hocks, as well as back problems. Barrel racing is popular in my area and I've seen a lot of horses crippled by navicular syndrome -- many of them as young as eight or ten years old -- because of the stress placed on their feet as they run the patterns. So racing is no worse or better than any other sport in this regard. The problem I do have with the racing industry is the number of horses they churn out, only to abandon them with they don't meet expectations on the track. I'm not sure if this is a problem in your country, but in the U.S. large numbers of thoroughbreds are sent to slaughter each year because of overbreeding in the racing industry. I understand racing is a business, and it's also a problem not limited solely to thoroughbreds (there are also many Quarter horses in the kill pens at every auction). However, I do think the men and women who make their living off the backs of these horses should also be required to see to it they are cared for once they can no longer perform. This goes not only for racing barns but for anyone who breeds and competes.
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Date: 2010-09-15 07:11 pm (UTC)We haven't had as many horses killed, as a lot of the trainers have slowly been going down for some years. Banning hunting some years ago, made a lot of people think about horses - and did help, in a small degree, to let people think of the actual animals.
I enjoyed my day, but was lucky not to see an injury - so won't ever go again!
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Date: 2010-09-15 07:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-15 10:12 pm (UTC)The British Racing industry has been working for some time to develop schemes for the retraining of racehorses - most of this is for ex flat horses as national hunt horses can race until their teens so tend to be retired rather put to another use.
I'm unsure what you mean about trainers slowly going down? Do you mean cutting the numbers they train? This is more likely to be due to the economic climate than anything else. The banning of hunting hasn't had an effect on racing as far as I am aware as point-to-point racing (the amateur side of national hunt racing) which is attached to local hunts is thriving.
As for soundness, a lot of event horses and showjumpers compete into their late teens and even early twenties - the sports monitor drugs so these horses are sound. For example, Matt Ryan's Kibah Tick Tock won Badminton at a ripe old age and Welham ridden by John Whitaker competed into his twenties I believe in showjumping.
Sorry for my little rant - it is a subject close to my heart.
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Date: 2010-09-16 07:06 am (UTC)We have had a few of the trainers of small yards decide to stop a few years ago when the Hunting Ban was first talked about - I think for smaller yards, our way, it's a long way to travel to events, and the fear of backlash a few years ago made people think seriously about money involved.
I will admit I have a problem with 2 year olds racing - but that is my only niggle!
Horses are ill-used in all areas of their working life - however the worst is usually those horses who are privately owned and abandoned. As I said in another answer, race horses are well cared for ... something I won't ever question ... or doubt!
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Date: 2010-09-15 06:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-15 07:08 pm (UTC)No - it was something I never thought I would ever go to ... Having lost my beloved Jaykub to a broken leg, finished me to the thought - but I decided to support my friend for her day.
I'm glad I went - but won't go again!
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Date: 2010-09-15 09:55 pm (UTC)One thing to remember is that they really do enjoy what they do. Anyone who has ever had anything to do with horses knows that it is just about impossible to make a horse do anything if it really doesn't want to! LOL!
My sister's good horse, Jurado is fourteen and retains his enthusiasm for the job still. Indeed her retired 27 year old took a long time to accept retirement, and wouldn't behave like a 'normal' horse at all - he was a racehorse and that was that! LOL!
Glad you had an enjoyable if extremely wet day.
hugs xx
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Date: 2010-09-16 07:15 am (UTC)Oh yes - I did comment that I know they are cared for - the pampering most of them get makes me very, very jealous!
Yes, horses love to race - I don't think it's cruel at all - Toni's horse, when he died at 29, had "been there - done that" ... was best at X-country ... yet henever mentally retired!
Suiffy injury was horrific - and as with any terrible sight, you don't want to put yourself through that again ... then to lose Jaykub ... not something I could cope with. Toni herself uses the argument that injuries happen - true, Jaykub was trotting(by the marks on the ground) in his field ... and was standing when found ... but sadly for me, I shy away from the possible sights ... just a coward.
But, as I said in my scribble - no way do I want racing banned, even if, I personally, dread what could happen.
Thanks for commenting - and, yes, I know what you and your family do!
*hugs*
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Date: 2010-09-16 12:33 am (UTC)**is a little envious**
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Date: 2010-09-16 07:16 am (UTC)BTW - as you aren't always around, you may not have known, but I gave DJ up a few months ago ... so, no longer (sadly) ride.
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Date: 2010-09-16 10:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-16 10:40 am (UTC)Last year I decided that this May I would not renew my osteopathic registration ... and am busy looking for work.
In doing that I hope(d) to move nearer Mum and dad's ... so having to pay livery would be impossible. DJ was free to keep - Toni used to care for him on days when I didn't see him etc.
As the time went on she and I spoke - and the evening after one chat, she was speaking to her daughter who was looking for a horse like DJ to go to a perfect home ... it just seemed right.
My last day with him - http://debris4spike.livejournal.com/581692.html
I do miss him - but have had one or two great stories about him -
http://debris4spike.livejournal.com/610480.html
http://debris4spike.livejournal.com/684578.html
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Date: 2010-09-17 06:59 pm (UTC)The last photo is a really great action shot,as is photo 11 and 13.
And I agree,that grey is rather nice :)
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Date: 2010-09-18 12:05 pm (UTC)A lot of people don't like greys, do they - but he looked lovely!
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Date: 2010-09-17 07:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-18 12:06 pm (UTC)Glad to know he's happy - and loved ... and being spoilt!