Interesting points made by all.Thank you all.
davejb put his finger on what racing is like when he said "cavalier". That has always been the prevailing attitude for millenia; ever since men began competing with each other using horses ( which were their equivalent of what boy racers use today or rich folk use on the motorway.)
It ain't never been a "clean sport" and never will be. Just wishful thinking from any of us who think ( hope and pray?) otherwise.
Personally, as an old fool descended from horsetraders, I trust nobody involved with horses. A rum bunch , indeed. From super-wealthy despots to daft old blokes off the side of the road ( like me).
Not many are ever gonna tell ya the truth - a bit like politicians and rulers everywhere, imo.
Like mathematics, it's all an approximation that's been designed to "get by" , and, generally, to ensure the continuation of the benefits of comfy privilege, which few would want to surrender.
Let's take a brief look at jockeys. They often take the brunt of any slagging from Jo Public. I sse them come as young, willing kids, with red , rosy cheeks full of enthusiasm and wanting to do well.
After a few years of racing, they turn sallow and reticent; beaten down by the system. They know their place; no longer do they tear up the inner to pip the hot fav; rather, they are likely to trail in last , looking down, after riding a seemingly "strong" favourite.
So, I know from experience, there's always room for plans to go awry. Just seems to be part of the game, imo. And this is before we move into ownership; it ain't all as they say there, either. If you're gullible, as I was, you're never done paying out for every this, that, and the other. That and listening to promises and lies.
For all that, I still love it. Must be mad, imo.
Injury to racers? Yep, can happen genuinely in a race.Remember Ussain Bolt pulling up with a hop, skip, and a jump? It can happen and does.
Why, once at Wolver, I witnessed a dead horse ( technically had died of a heart attack or somesuch just before the line) win a race!
Shook the crap out me, I can tell ya. Still, it had crossed the line first with the jockey still just about aboard, so it had won.
Underlying illness is something else. Sometimes, it can remain undetected; sometimes connections know that there is something slightly amiss, but, think it pragmatic to try to get a run into ( out of?) the animal.
You know yourself, there are many mornings when you don't feel quite up to it, but, still go the work. And, if you ever get a nagging pain, such as a joint injury, you're never quite yourself,and, cannot really give your best go.
Just my peculiar take on things. Take it, or, leave it. I don't mind. Opinions mean a lot; some are helpful and some are not. Your choice.
Scans, blood, and weight don't lie; they give a pretty good guide, imo. We are not often party to this data.
When we fall off, we get back on, or, we don't. I can't predict which, but, I can have a guess.
davejb put his finger on what racing is like when he said "cavalier". That has always been the prevailing attitude for millenia; ever since men began competing with each other using horses ( which were their equivalent of what boy racers use today or rich folk use on the motorway.)It ain't never been a "clean sport" and never will be. Just wishful thinking from any of us who think ( hope and pray?) otherwise.
Personally, as an old fool descended from horsetraders, I trust nobody involved with horses. A rum bunch , indeed. From super-wealthy despots to daft old blokes off the side of the road ( like me).
Not many are ever gonna tell ya the truth - a bit like politicians and rulers everywhere, imo.
Like mathematics, it's all an approximation that's been designed to "get by" , and, generally, to ensure the continuation of the benefits of comfy privilege, which few would want to surrender.
Let's take a brief look at jockeys. They often take the brunt of any slagging from Jo Public. I sse them come as young, willing kids, with red , rosy cheeks full of enthusiasm and wanting to do well.
After a few years of racing, they turn sallow and reticent; beaten down by the system. They know their place; no longer do they tear up the inner to pip the hot fav; rather, they are likely to trail in last , looking down, after riding a seemingly "strong" favourite.
So, I know from experience, there's always room for plans to go awry. Just seems to be part of the game, imo. And this is before we move into ownership; it ain't all as they say there, either. If you're gullible, as I was, you're never done paying out for every this, that, and the other. That and listening to promises and lies.
For all that, I still love it. Must be mad, imo.
Injury to racers? Yep, can happen genuinely in a race.Remember Ussain Bolt pulling up with a hop, skip, and a jump? It can happen and does.
Why, once at Wolver, I witnessed a dead horse ( technically had died of a heart attack or somesuch just before the line) win a race!
Shook the crap out me, I can tell ya. Still, it had crossed the line first with the jockey still just about aboard, so it had won.
Underlying illness is something else. Sometimes, it can remain undetected; sometimes connections know that there is something slightly amiss, but, think it pragmatic to try to get a run into ( out of?) the animal.
You know yourself, there are many mornings when you don't feel quite up to it, but, still go the work. And, if you ever get a nagging pain, such as a joint injury, you're never quite yourself,and, cannot really give your best go.
Just my peculiar take on things. Take it, or, leave it. I don't mind. Opinions mean a lot; some are helpful and some are not. Your choice.
Scans, blood, and weight don't lie; they give a pretty good guide, imo. We are not often party to this data.
When we fall off, we get back on, or, we don't. I can't predict which, but, I can have a guess.
