by De Ette Stewart

Created on: December 09, 2008

Eight Belle's jockey was not responsible, he was just along for the ride. By the time he realized the mare was injured, the damage was done. Anyone who has ever ridden a lame horse will know this for the truth. The real crime was committed by the breeder. This horse was a direct descendant of Nasrullah. Most of the Thoroughbreds who have suffered high profile leg fractures during races over the past ten to twenty years are all related to this particular stud. This includes Barbaro.

Nasrullah was fast during his brief racing career, but was known to also have had a lot of health problems. Responsible breeders wouldn't have bred him, but his owner was very wealthy and managed an aggressive breeding program that has this horse's bloodline running in nearly 80% of all American Thoroughbreds.

American Thoroughbred breeders need to take a hard look at bloodlines that produce injuries of this nature and start out-crossing them to hardier lines. They may have to go overseas to obtain untainted stock. Continuing to produce animals with such weak bone structure is irresponsible.

As they say, money talks, people who really care about race horses should apply pressure to breeders and buyers. If enough race horse owners learn about the health issues in this bloodline through a campaign of targeted education, they will choose to purchase animals with healthier breeding and the problem will gradually correct itself. Racing for less than five minutes on a soft surface shouldn't harm a horse's legs. Given that these animals only carry about 125 pounds and are all well conditioned for these speeds and surfaces, the pattern of breaks within only certain bloodlines really points to where the problems are originating.

Horse lovers can help promote a healthier and safer sport by bringing faulty breeding practices to the public's attention. Speak up! Let the big breeding farms know that they ARE responsible for the health and welfare of the animals they produce. Blaming a jockey is foolish. He needs to ride in order to pay his bills and he/she has little say over the training and care of the horse prior to the minute of climbing aboard. The jockeys are bit players in a big money game. Focus your ire on the breeders and race horse owners who are continuing to promote fast but poorly made animals.

Education of the people who buy race horses will help make unhealthy bloodlines less popular and ruin the market for these animals. Demand for lines with few health problems will increase along with prices for the young stock. Let the market settle the future of racing. Properly conducted, this can be a thrilling sport, but measures need to be taken now to maintain the health of ALL the participants!

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