Eight Belles

[Bamaro]

Oh wait, yes I do.

OK, just what is the frequency of horses breaking their legs running around in pastures compared to those racing?

 

[gmart74]

i wanna know what the rate of fracture is on the old philly astroturf vs grass.

 

[cbi1972]

OK, just what is the frequency of horses breaking their legs running around in pastures compared to those racing?

Eight Belles’ trainer defends safety of horse racing

“I disagree wholeheartedly,” said Jones. “These horses run because they like to run. If you knew how many horses were injured in the field running and just playing with other horses — we’ve had more horses injured on the farm than we have on the racetrack.”

Jones said that people who think thoroughbreds would be better off turned out into the wild do not know anything about horses. Pastures, he said, are not as meticulously groomed as racetracks. Horses run into fences, step into holes and are injured while just playing with each other.

“The horses are more cruel to themselves in the wild and everyday life than this sport is to them,” the trainer continued. “If you just knew how horses reacted on their own. People think they should be turned in the wild. Trust me, this is a lot better life for them than that.”

Common Horse Injuries

Q1) What are some common horse injuries?

As all owners know horses seem to be prone to injury. Some people say you can a put a horse in a pasture all by himself with no trees and perfect fencing, no holes in the earth and nothing in sight except grass and he would still injure himself. Here is a listing of just a few of the many injuries a horse can incur, both in the stable and turned out.

 

[bamacon]

I wonder if some PETA fantics will throw red paint at spectators at the Belmont or Preakness in protest to the evil treatment of these animals.

 

[CrimsonNan]

Not sure what happened to Eight Belles. Given the normal stresses placed on individual legs, how do both legs fracture at roughly the same time?

Big horse with a big heart.

I don't think they should allow fillies to race against the boys. It's like letting them suit up for football or something. It's unfair to them.

IMO.

Ditto!!!

 

[rpeastep]

Yeah, whoever heard of a filly breaking her leg racing other fillies. What difference does it make if she was racing males horses? They weren't tackling each other.