Eight Belles' Ankles......?

Question

After studying several of the still race photos of Eight Belles, I noticed that she had her hind ankles taped, but not the front ones, and I can't help but think: if the front ones had been taped as well, perhaps she'd still be with us now. What do you think?

Answer 1

Taping helps, but if a horse has weak bone structure in their legs, twists their leg, or missteps, tape will not prevent a break.  I doubt that taping her front legs would have made a difference, except the minute possibility that the break wouldn't have been QUITE as severe.  Even with that small possibility, they still would have had to put her down.

Answer 2

She would still be with us if horses weren't overbred for speed instead of safety. They begin training before they are fully developed and their bones and bodies have sufficiently matured.  She would be with us if she hadn't been put on that track, if she hadn't been goaded and whipped into keeping up with the boys, and if this inhumane sport wasn't practiced.

Maybe Eight Belles was lucky. Among the thousands of horses produced annually, only few are chosen as racers. The rest are sent to equine auction  where they will probably be picked up for slaughter. Of course, being a racer doesn't save you. Go check out what happened to the 1986 Kentucky Derby winner, Ferdinand.

Answer 3

I doubt it... I've worked on so many horses, tape or not if they are shattered that badly (the pictures were horrific) no bandaging would have made a difference.

Answer 4

Maybe. Its a possibility.

Answer 5

I'll bet you're one of those people who think that a plane engine was really a missile on 9/11.