EVERYTHINGS DONE.

Omg, heck YES! We got all the mud moved today. Our barn area looks totally awesome now. Now more threat of mud fever. No more foot-deep-of-crap-that-you-could-lose-your-boot in. Just normalcy. All we need to do now is spread the crap in the Field, and put hog fuel in the dirt parts so they don't get muddy again.

It was blistering hot today. We turned the horses out at 8 this morning, and brought them up at 3. I watched the Preakness, and am totally happy with Big Browns win. It showcases horse racing at its best. =]

My opinion on some stuff-

He res the points that were brought up today on NBC.

Breeding

Is it just me, or are other people thinking that breeders are in this for the money? [I recognize that there are great breeders, but I'm not talking about them.] Seriously, you breed a pricey pricey stallion to a pricey pricey mare, and you get a pricey pricey foal. People aren't even looking into the sires/dams running history, and their parents and so on. Horses that have proven that they break down easily are breeding, and passing their fragile bones and what not. Goodness, are bloodlines not everything nowadays? Now, to get back on the topic of money. Money is what makes the world turn...But should it affect judgements? Of course it does. It shouldn't, but it does. We've got people pumping out foal after foal, and running them. They can't all be winners....and we know where they end up. In the meat house, or rotting away suffering from neglect. Or, if they're really lucky, in the backyards of those of us trying to rehab them. *sighs*

Retirement

I'm totally against horses racing 6 times and then being retired to stud/breed, wasting away in their paddocks or stalls. What a horrible life. If you think about it, they can be as young as 4, just not doing anything. I mean, can you think of what other careers these horses could pursue besides racing? Tons! Its not like it would affect their breeding either, but add more. These horses need to be worked, not retired after their 'glory days.' Geez, their glory days are only beginning at 4.

Sadly, the above is only for horses that are big winners. The others go you-know-where. And we need to stop it. Now. Today. NOW.

Track Surfaces

There are a few different kinds of track surfaces. We've got dirt/sand, and turf that I know of. Anyone else? Did I miss one? Anyways, I really don't like the idea of horses running 30mph on a hard as rock dirt/sand track. The compacted-ness of it stresses thoroughbreds already fragile bones. Can we say contributor to breakdown? Turf...is eh. I mean, the grass is soft enough, but the ground underneath is just as hard. You can't possibly tell me that surfaces do nothing to help breakdowns. The Racing Industry is talking about a new alternative, Synthetic track surfaces. Its like fake dirt, way softer and easier on the horses legs. I'm all for it. However, we can't help but to question whether it will reduce injuries, or just produce new kinds of injuries. Only time will tell, but after the death of Eight Belles, the racing industry has stated that its time to make reforms. This is just one of many that they're looking into, to make racing a safer sport for horses.

Training

Ah, the ever-famous debate. I'm pretty sure most of you know how I stand on this, because I'm not exactly soft-spoken on the issue. I'll repeat it anyways. I think that trainers should wait to break the TBs until 2 or 3. And no, not by the Jan. 1 standard, but by the actual date of birth. Then, they should start running them at age 3, 4, or 5. That way, they are fully developed and ready to take on the challenges that this sport demands of them. Currently, racehorses are broke at 1, and raced at 2. And we wonder why there are so many breakdowns?! Really people, none of you would ever break your quarter horse/wb/paint/appy/tb at one. So why are racehorses the exception? Its the money. Owners/trainers don't want to let an investment that big sit around for another 2 years. Of course they're not thinking about the horses well fare...Just the cash. The advantages of waiting longer to break/race are a sounder, healthier horse. The disadvantages is the money they have to dump into them during that time period. You know the old saying, Time is money. So now time and money are everything...and where does the horses health come up in all of this? They work so hard for us, and what do we do for them? Oh, I know, make them run their butts off for our amusement. ;]

Medication/Steroids

I'm not sure if any of you have realized this, but it is still perfectly legal in most states to inject horses with steroids during their training. Of course, its not allowed before races in a certain time period, but oh heck, its allowed in training. [Another reason for BREAKDOWNS.] The poor horse thinks it can do something beyond its natural ability, and then bam. They fail.

I bet this is going to come as a great shocker. Big Brown's trainer injects ALL of his horses [including Big Browns] with a steroid called Winstrol once a month. And I quote- "Can't say it helps, but it doesn't hurt." So why use it? He admitted that he doesn't even know what it does! An 'old colleague' persuaded him to use it years ago, and he hasn't stopped yet.

According to the racing industry's president, whose name I can't remember, he is working on having all steroids in all states banned completely and entirely. Whooh! We'll see if it works though.

Applying Human Emotions to Horses

Here's just something I wanted to touch on, and remind some of you of...Horses are not humans. They do not think or feel like humans. They are an animal. While I love them to death, and they are very intelligent creatures [well, some of them XD. Buck isn't exactly a rocket scientist..] they are simply beasts, on which we happen to ride.

People are always making excuses for the racing industry, saying 'oh the horse was having the time of its life! It loves to run!' Yes, I'll give that they were bred to run. However, you can not, under any circumstances, apply human emotions to horses. They do not feel regret, guilt, bliss, serene, or anything that we feel. They DO feel what every creature feels though. Pain, excitedness, fear.

Again, horses are not humans. Stop making excuses for the way that we treat them. They we not having the time of their life running out on the track. They were simply doing their job.

Fillies vs. Colts

I don't know why I feel like I even need to bring this up, but I'm going to. Fillies can race JUST as well as colts can. Don't be sexist. Eight Belles did not come in second because she was a filly. She came in second because Big Brown was simply faster than her. Eight Belles did not die because she was a filly. She died because her ankles gave out, completely shattering. It could have happened to a colt. Fillies are just as fast. Again, don't be a dang sexist!

Fatalities

Are a terrible part of horse racing. Wait, let me re-phrase that. A terrible part of every sport. No matter what pre-cautions the racing industry is going to take over the next year or two, they will still happen. Always. Accept it. They are a very sad thing. But they will never ever go away, and neither will horse racing. Hopefully we can, however, reduce the amount.

The different extremes, and why they both suck

Extreme point of view #1- Horse racing is GOOD GOOD GOOD! They don't need to change anything!
Why it sucks- Have you been living under a rock? Horses die every day. They need to make some freaking changes to make the sport safer for horses AND for humans! Do you not care about the horses welfare? No, your too consumed with your own amusement. It is cool sport, but its not cool for the horses.

Extreme point of view #2- HORSE RACING SUCKS AND IT NEEDS TO BANNED. EVERYWHERE! ITS PLAIN OLD HORSE ABUSE!!! DO AWAY WITH RACING!
Why it sucks- Horse racing will never ever go away. No matter how much you fight, no matter how much you want. It will always be here. Yes, its not ideal for horses. But, it is a sport, an a very old one. I actually like horse racing. We do need to make changes, but it doesn't need to be outlawed.

Point of view- A comfortable medium. Don't hate it, and don't not want to change anything. Its a awesome, thrilling sport. And it needs to be reformed.

All sports have their dark sides. Jumpers, you don't want to admit that horses are abused in your discipline. Yet they are. Western Pleasure peeps, I'm talking to you too. Gawd, just LOOK at your world fairs! Steroids up the yin-yang. Ew. Not to forget that ugly WP canter. The point is, do not just focus on a sports dark side. There is a bright side to every one. If we allowed our thoughts of the dark to dominate, we would lose sight of the light...And we'd have to stop riding horses.

Plans to Reform

The president of the horse racing industry stated today that they are looking into and working on making a freaking ton of changes in the sport. [No, those were not his exact words. =P]

Surfaces- they are looking into synthetic, hoping to reduce the amount of injuries.
Breeding- changing the way it operates so that its better for the horses
Training- considering moving the breaking age to 2, and racing age to 3, for the benefit of the horse. Using medical stats.
Meds/Steroids- are going to be banned in all participating states by January 1st, 2009.

We can only see what time brings. But if these do happen, then YAY!

Okay, holy crap that was long...Now give me your opinions!!

But, today brought a whole other thing for me..

So, today I rode Gus bareback, for the first time in a LONG time. I just got this urge to go ride him. O.o He was amazing. He remembers everything [he's been retired for a year now, no one has hopped on his back] and responded to the lightest touch of my leg.

What was really adorable was that my dad was with me, watching us. Gus and Dad had/have this really strong bond. Gus is actually my dads horse, but since my dad is gone all week, every week, he doesn't see him often. When he is home, he's too tired to work wit him. Gus, was like OMG MY DADDY'S HERE TO SEE ME!!! He didn't want to leave his side. Omg it was sooo cute. It made my dad feel good.

Anywayssss, I came back inside...and read today's FHOTD post. It was about senior horses...and when its time to put them down. To sleep..

Idk, but I'm like BAWLING right now. I just thought of losing Gus, and him not being around anymore, and I lost it. I'm crying sooo hard. He's turning 27, and is perfectly healthy right now, but for some odd reason I just can't stop crying. I know that day will come someday. Probably in the next year or two.

Sorry to like lay my burden on you, but I'm just really really really sad. You'd think I'd be happy after riding Gus. Now I'm sobbing like some freak.

I finally stopped crying. And now I know what I need to do. And that's make Gus's last few years heaven on earth. Its going to be perfect. <3 Gus.