Guest Author - Susan Hopf
Throw an ego on the table and all bets are off. The race toward the Triple Crown has begun – and as often happens in horse races the first race of the Kentucky Derby finished with one less horse than it began. Many horses bred for the track fail to see the finish line and, sadly, far too often before they are ever raced. The reason for this is simple – they are expected to run, hard and fast, before they are fully mature physically and mentally.
Case in point was Barbaro – a well-known and very sad story. The well-bred Thoroughbred went into the Derby undefeated and was touted as a real hopeful for the Triple Crown. A false start at the Preakness and Barbaro’s leg was fractured in three places and in an instant the Triple Crown was lost again – for another year.
The horse was well backed financially and attempts to fix the fractures were begun. Sadly, despite all the efforts and available money he succumbed to his injuries and was euthanized 10 months after the initial injury. During those 10 months the horse endured many complications. Laminitis and abscesses, both very painful conditions, repeatedly plagued the horse.
Throughout his recovery and upon his death the horse was touted as a long-needed hero during a time of great tragedy for our country; hurricanes and the Iraq war. While I agree the horse was, without question, heroic in his countenance his plight was unfortunately not of his own making and not uncommon.
Many racehorses deal with devastating injuries everyday but instead of making national headline news most, instead, find their way to the frightening road toward slaughter and the foreign meat market. Or if not that ignoble end a life of pain and abuse in the hands of people that do not understand. Too few lucky animals find their way to a better life through TB rescues.
Regardless of the glamour and humane exclamations horseracing is really all about ego - human ego. The big races attract money, notoriety and a long-term investment in monetary return by way of stud fees. The smaller tracks and races attract people with high hopes, little money and horses too easily thrown away as dreams are shattered along with tendons and bones. Many of those that survive to race for a few years suffer from chronic lameness and pain. Broken down physically and mentally and bereft of a press agent to enhance their studly reputation they often have no hope for another life once retired from racing.
As a Classical Riding Instructor and Trainer for over 25 years I have often encountered horses retired from the track. Some do very well in their new life. Most are challenging, intelligent and charming beasts despite their many race-generated ills. Too many never make it past their racing career. Thoroughbreds run because they are all heart and legs and because they have no choice. People continue to support the race industry mostly due to tradition and the small hope of hitting it big at the betting window.
The racing industry, as well as many other riding sports, needs to recognize that these generous-hearted animals will, with amazing grace, do almost anything asked of them. Since we no longer require horses to carry our burdens why now should we expect them to carry our egos. Money, fame, blue ribbons and countrywide well wishes mean nothing to a horse. A place to roll, fresh water and meals served on time are all they need to live a healthy life. We have brought them into the human world and a tactful human companion can enrich any equine life but gaining anything from our four-legged friends other than a pleasant ride and gentle nuzzle exceeds and I daresay abuses the exquisite nobility that is the horse.
