I don't mind horse racing as long as it's flat track and the horses aren't whipped with the riding crop, anyone else agree ?

Just by way of comparison, the average steeplechase competitor (horses that race over fences) is between 6 and 9 years of age at any given time. These horses LIVE far longer and remain competitive FAR LONGER than their flat racing counterparts, whose careers are often over with before they reach their third birthdays. This is true because unlike flat racers, steeplechase horses are actually allowed to GROW UP and become physically MATURE before they are asked to do hard work- which in turn means that their risk of catastrophic injuries is actually MUCH LOWER than that of flat racers. It's not uncommon to see steeplechase horses still competing into their early teens, especially if they are geldings. When was the last time you saw a flat racer at any level which was at least 13 years old and still competing? I'm not sure I've EVER seen a flat racer that old, in fact. There just aren't many of them.

And on a personal note.... To all of the friends I have made on YA over the years, I bid you a fond farewell. I will be signing off for good next week, before YA goes read-only and then shuts down permanently on May 4.  I wish all of you the very best, wherever life takes you. It's been fun to know you.

There’s a new dog in town 

There is so much that surrounds horse racing or related horse sports that everyone seems to have a strong opinion one way or another. No matter what sport it is, whether human or animal there are many risks. We are at risk everyday whether it's walking across the street or sport related. 

Personally, I enjoy Thoroughbred racing, which is also considered flat track racing.  A steeplechase is a distance horse race in which competitors are required to jump diverse fence, hurdles, and ditch obstacles, aka steeplechasing. Like you I'm not a fan of steeplechasing. Flat racing or Throughbred racing is what I enjoy and follow. I'm also an advocate for Thoroughbred and horse racing safety. You will be happy to know that many positive changes have been made over the years that many people are not aware of. One of the changes that I am very proud of is regarding whips; the new equipment feels and works differently than the old. The OLD riding crop it was about two inches long and was made of solid leather, and when used too vigorously, it can raise welts and even sometimes would draw blood, definitely unacceptable. However, the good news is the new whips are much different; they are tipped by a popper about six inches long. Sewn inside is a soft pad of woven fibers made to look like leather but it's not, it's actually a piece of foam. :) It is much lighter, and the thickly padded whips make an impressive pop noise while delivering their cushioned cue message. In fact, many horses used to being encouraged by the whips sting may no longer feel compelled to respond. Riders/Jockey's who are accustomed to whaling away in the stretch discover they're wasting energy. The fact is the new whip is not a whip, it's actually noisemaker. So, we all can feel better about that. 

What I frown on most is the poor treatment of work horses on farms or domestic horses that are treated cruel. They don't get the proper care and it's heart breaking. Many to most are very thin with malnutrition. They are sick, and have many diseases. The fact is they don't get any proper care, the right food, shoes, etc. Those are the people that need to be look at, as far as, cruelty goes.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, this subject is one that should be heard more often.