On the lack of morels that Horse Associations and trainers seem to have;

Question

Not only is it just with the TB world, but the QH world as well. And I'm sure there are others like the TWH Associations with different issues of the own.

What is the worlds problem with not doing what is best for the breed. Which in turn is best for each horse.

Why are Associations allowing such young horses to be trained to hard for their age. Then when they break down everyone looks at each other shrugging there shoulders and having stupid looks on there face (or lying) like they have no idea what went wrong??????????

Just for example; The Quarter Horse Futurity's. Cutting, Reining, Barrel Racing and so on.

Young horses are rode so hard for training that by the time they turn 3 years old, they are already having hock and stifle injections.

Is this just a game for rich people? Or what?????????

OK, I'm done venting. Remember play nice please.

Answer 1

I have a hard time seeing these snaffle bit fraternity's for 2 and 3 year olds who are extremly tame.  I know my gelding was not way near that tame at the age of two. Most horses I know, who are not in the show ring by professionals, are not that way.  

Recently, a girl I just started to get to know opened up a rescue ranch that she already has over 10 horses from race track (major one. I love race track but hate the affects of the horses afterwards) and all are under the age of 5.  Knees blown, sever tenden and joint issues. Just...sad!

I barrel race, but no way will ever allow my horses or my future children's horses to go to that extend to break down their bodies for $$.

People are shock to see my 30 year old gelding looking so good. His age is naturally catching up to him, but 3 years ago, he looked maybe 20 the most.  It is because he did some shows, but no way near what these people do.

I think the associations needs to change some of the rules and really look more into the horse industry as a health and dignity concern, rather than how much money they will get off a particular horse.

Answer 2

I agree with you to a degree on futurities. There are many many horses out there that get pushed through way too early. As a futurity trainer my self I will evaluate each horse as it come along with its training. If a horse does not show promise physically or mentally to handle the stress of a futurity I will not take it. Horse are not the much different than other animals or people, some develop quicker than other some slower. Just because a horse does not show promise in futurity, it does not mean I trash the horse. I will still show the horse when it is ready.

With that said I do see many horses, pushed through just because the trainer(mostly the owner) wants the horse in futurity completion. As far as the association is concerned, it is up to the individual trainer/owner. They assume a level of concern for the breed and horse. It is a fine line that these associations have to walk. They have to enforce rules that help competiters, trainers, breeders, owners at the same time not controling how it is done.

Honestly would you want a group of people you don't even know, have never met, who don't know you or your horse telling you what to do how to do it and when? Like I said it is a fine line. The associations are primaraly concerned about bloodlines and points. They are not evil, nor is that they do not care. It is not the association's fault. The fault goes to the breeders who breed infirior horses, the owners who demand a trainer push a horse through that is not ready, and the trainers with out enough back bone to tell an owner the tuth.

Lets not blame the association who has to walk the fine line between doing whats best for the horse and not interfering with the process. How about just not supporting the breeders,trainers, owners who do not do what is best for the animal/ breed.

For some people its about getting rich, for others like myself its about competion.

Edit-  I see your point. At the same time all you hear about are the bad. The media does not dwell on the positive. My grandfather(who passed away at 92 in 68) started horses at 2, my parents and I do the same. Infact one of the most respected AQHA trainers Bobby Ingorsoll, starts at 2. When done properly, there is no lameness issues. But it is not always done properly. This is a very tough topic. I personly start my horses at 2, but I see why many people wait until 3, and I have no problem with it.

The concept of a furtuity, is to show off the phenoms. Kinda like in many other sports when they spot light a high school athlete. Some can handle the pressure of the show right off, many can not. We will many time go through 10 horses before we find 1 that is a furtuity horse. Now the other 9 don't get thrown out, they just start earlier.

Again its mostly the media, dwelling on the negitive because its more intresting.

Again this is a tough question, I don't think that there is one answer that is right. I will say showing a 2 y/o is to early, 3 is a good age(again if the horse is ready), maybe move the age to 3-4.

Good question.

Answer 3

for racing i think maybe it's more of a tradition, but i'm not going to tell any sport that they should change, they have to do it for themselves.

i think they should look how the europeans and other countries in the world train their race horses (they train for more long lasting horses then just top speed like we do in the states)

and then i factor in the "american dream." how to get to the top the fastest, how to make the money and get what we want. that's really what it comes down to when people stop caring about breed quailty and start cutting corners. now, i cant fault someone who's learned how to play the game better then anyone else and does get to the top but there's always going to be shady players who cut corners and give everyone else the bad name.

so that's my opinion, tried to keep it short beings as it's too early to get worked up.

Answer 4

It's all about $$$$$, not about the horses.  You are correct about the QH futurities.  By the time a QH is 6, he is now considered "an older horse".  All of the racing industries are horrifying but there are no regulations to really protect the horses.  As long as dollars are made, humans will continue to abuse and destroy horses.

Answer 5

It's simply a business for the type of people who do those things.

Answer 6

G'Day

It happens because people are ignorant or simply don't care. its a worldwide phenomen. :(

Answer 7

Well, you must remember that the circuit is very competitive. All anyone wants is to win.

There really is no law against training your horse young.

Nor do breed associations have the right to tell people not to train young horses so hard.

Anyone with a half a brain would know that it is not a good idea to work the p**s out of a 2 year old... but all they want is to WIN! so what else should they be doing?

When I advertise my training to people, it is my first priority to ask about their horse.

questions like: "how old is your horse" are very essential to me.

If they want me to START their colt at 2 years old, i am okay with that. but there is a big difference between starting and training.

When i start a colt, i give them a lot of ground work, and i slowly progress to saddle work. i will not be ON a 2 year old for more then 2 hours in a week. i believe that ground work is WAY more essential then saddle work when a horse is at that stage.

So when people want me to spend every day RIDING their 2 year old i simply tell them no. Money isn't THAT important to me.