[Lou3]

I do not think racing in itself is bad and support those who train ethically all the way.

I DO NOT support those who break horses as long yearlings and race them as 2 yr olds. I believe this to be extremely cruel.
I believe there should be laws stating that horses CANNOT race until they have attained their FOURTH birthday. Doing so much hard galloping younger than this does untold damage to their joints and bones and I cannot condone it.

[Ureventer]

I voted "in between."

I have seen many horses recieve injuries on the track and obviously am upset by this sad fact; however, it is a horse sport and with all diciplines, there is a risk involved. What one can do to reduce that risk is questionable; yet I am not educated enough in that area to make a viable suggestion and understand that breaking through a barrier of tradition is difficult if not impossible task.

[crazychickmia]

I put in between.

I do enjoy watching it, my dad always has shares in a racehorse etc. I wont be ALL for it however while they're racing two year olds. And they're going to keep racing two year olds so long as all the big prizemoney is in two year old races.

I don't like seeing two year olds ridden at any time in any discipline, not even something like western pleasure, let alone racing. So that's a big turn off.

Every discipline has it's ups and downs though, but it would be awesome if a little change could be brought about.

[ottbryder]

A lot of things go on with horse racing that I don't agree with. Such as racing horses too young. Abusing drugs (giving excessive amounts of painkillers to allow injured horses to race for example). Basically disposing of horses who are no longer earning money, whether that be on the track or in the breeding barn. I'm not saying that every person involved with horse racing does those sorts of things. But it is undeniable that it still happens too much.

On a more positive note, though, I do love the more ethical side of horse racing. There are trainers, owners, and breeders who genuinely care for the well-being of their horses. And you can't deny that some of these horses really do love their jobs. I don't know how true this is (I read it in a book about Man o' War), but apparently War Admiral would try to drag his grooms from the barn to the track whenever he heard the starting bell he loved running so much. Yeah, despite all the bad, there's definitely a good side to racing.

[Little Red Dun]

Ditto to what most others are saying.

I think horse racing is fine. It is an exciting sport and awesome to watch.

However, I dislike the training of yearlings under saddle, the racing them at two, and retiring them (often unsound) at three or four. I think it would be much better for the horses if they started racing at three or four, and instead had the "big races" be for five or six years olds. I think that would be fantastic for the Thoroughbred breed myself.

[aussie_jumper]

Originally Posted by chester

We don't race horses in Australia at the moment.

Which I am happy about but we would be racing if we could be!

[Xiphias]

I voted yes, I love horse racing, I watched history being made last sat. when Street Sense won the Travers Stakes! first time a Breeder's cup 2 year old champion, and also a Derby winner won that race....all I can say is I am pumped up for the Breeder's Cup this year! GO ! Street Sense!!! Cathy

[ARMwins]

Originally Posted by chester

We don't race horses in Australia at the moment.

i heard about that, i hope all the horseys get better soon. i voted in between, i love horse racing and ottbs but i hate how it has become gambling central and people sometimes dont appreceate the horses skill, just if they win or not.
but ilove watching it and hope to someday go to the races

[dancer]

I said yes, because I do like horse racing, it's a blast to watch, but I worry about the young horses all the same.

[Silverleprichua]

nope, I don't like racing. At 2 and 3 horses should be working on ground manners and short rides (10-15 minutes) not galloping down a track.