Talk Derby to me

[Jdarg]

I don't know anything about horse racing, though I did go to the drunkFest, I mean Kentucky Derby, one year. How do these horses get so strong that they break their ankles while racing? I hear that many pro athletes, especially football players have leg injuries because they have developed their muscles beyond what their bones can handle. Is that similar for the horses?

It would be like us running on our fingers- horse legs are beautiful, but poorly designed. A lot of weight on 4 very delicate legs.

 

[Smiling JOe]

That is interesting because the race horses appear to look rather lean to me, and smaller than the typical horse. I cannot help but think about the Cutting Horses, which go sideways so much that they look like they are in a tennis match. One would think that those horses would have all of the ankle problems, not a horse running straight.

I read a story or two on Eight Belles (sp?) last night and it does seem sound rather sad. I bet making the decision to kill your own horse is a rather difficult one.

 

[Jdarg]

That is interesting because the race horses appear to look rather lean to me, and smaller than the typical horse. I cannot help but think about the Cutting Horses, which go sideways so much that they look like they are in a tennis match. One would think that those horses would have all of the ankle problems, not a horse running straight.

I read a story or two on Eight Belles (sp?) last night and it does seem sound rather sad. I bet making the decision to kill your own horse is a rather difficult one.

The decision was made for them- they had no choice. One broken leg is very often fatal to a horse- they are not designed to stand on 3. A horse must be able to stand to survive, and she couldn't stand.

I watched the interview with the track vet, and there is really no explanation for what happened- the race was over, the jockey was galloping her out (slowing to a stop rather than hitting the brakes hard), and he heard the "pop" - just a freak misstep of some sort.

Cutting horses have lots of leg and foot injuries too, but you are right about them being sturdier looking than Thoroughbreds.

 

[Arkiehawg]

The vet that put her down said that he had never seen bilateral fx like hers during a gallop out.

SJ, they are sometimes smaller than Quarters, but many are huge. There were even a couple in the KD that were 17 hands.... Did you see the rump on Big Brown.....now that is a stud.... I am so ready for a triple crown winner....

I must be jinxed however....I was at the Arkansas Derby when Comic Relief shattered his leg on the mid-stretch and now this....ugh...

 

[Smiling JOe]

I was noting their lean size compared to the horses which were escorting them around the track. They looked more like Grayhounds compared to Rottweilers. I know they are similar in height, but they just look less bulky than other horses, and that makes me think they would have less chance for injury, but as I said, I don't know much about horses. I have ridden a few, but I didn't know WTF I was doing, and apparently the horses knew that I didn't know WTF I was doing. I had a good scare on one, and another I couldn't get to cross a stream after I finally was able to make him leave the barn (leaving the barn took ten minutes). I began to feel really dumb.

 

[sunspotbaby]

I was noting their lean size compared to the horses which were escorting them around the track. They looked more like Grayhounds compared to Rottweilers. I know they are similar in height, but they just look less bulky than other horses, and that makes me think they would have less chance for injury, but as I said, I don't know much about horses. I have ridden a few, but I didn't know WTF I was doing, and apparently the horses knew that I didn't know WTF I was doing. I had a good scare on one, and another I couldn't get to cross a stream after I finally was able to make him leave the barn (leaving the barn took ten minutes). I began to feel really dumb.

Horses are interesting creatures. They do seem to "know us" the minute we approach them.

 

[Cheering472]

The decision was made for them- they had no choice. One broken leg is very often fatal to a horse- they are not designed to stand on 3. A horse must be able to stand to survive, and she couldn't stand.

I watched the interview with the track vet, and there is really no explanation for what happened- the race was over, the jockey was galloping her out (slowing to a stop rather than hitting the brakes hard), and he heard the "pop" - just a freak misstep of some sort.

Cutting horses have lots of leg and foot injuries too, but you are right about them being sturdier looking than Thoroughbreds.

Jdarg is right. Eight Belles was in too much pain and couldn't be saved. Delaying the inevitable would be inhumane. She was gone by the time her trainer hit the track. She suffered compund fractures that were obvious to the eye without xrays. They did the right thing not letting her linger. My friends were track side and talked about the collective gasp from the stands when she went down. She was actually off from the finish line, past the turn towards the backside. So she wasn't right in front of the grandstand.

A filly gets alot of attention in the Derby. Woman loved her and she was a crowd favorite. When she was heading through the tunnel to the track people were shouting at her 'you go girl", "run baby girl" she loved it they said. She kept turning her head to look at the stands, not scared at all but curious. Sad day. We were heartsick and tearful, the party ended early.

 

[Beach Runner]

Hat Tips

That's really interesting, OL. I am always fascinated by those hats.

I hear that many pro athletes, especially football players have leg injuries because they have developed their muscles beyond what their bones can handle.

Hubby's hamstrings are so overdeveloped that they're as hard as rocks and give him back problems, even years after being an athlete.

The decision was made for them- they had no choice. One broken leg is very often fatal to a horse- they are not designed to stand on 3. A horse must be able to stand to survive, and she couldn't stand.

I watched the interview with the track vet, and there is really no explanation for what happened- the race was over, the jockey was galloping her out (slowing to a stop rather than hitting the brakes hard), and he heard the "pop" - just a freak misstep of some sort.

Cutting horses have lots of leg and foot injuries too, but you are right about them being sturdier looking than Thoroughbreds.

I was just surprised that they didn't wait until the trainer and/or the owner got there.

BTW missed you at the Red Bar party. Hubby wasn't feeling well, and I hated to leave him and party.

 

[scooterbug44]

One article I read said that the increase in injuries is due to breeding issues.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24458076/

 

[Gypsea]

Anybody watching the Preakness to see what Big Brown can do?