Re: was:safe to feed joint supplements now:young horses& hard work

[Tivers@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/29/00 6:16:44 PM Pacific Daylight Time, TddWil writes:

<< ust curious, if you take money out of the picture, how old should a horse 
be before starting fast work/ racing? Or is age not as important as whether 
or not the horse has the proper foundation for the speed work? I watch the 
standardbreds work at a local track and they do no IT and do not have a HRM 
or even a stethoscope, and these horses are their income, not just a hobby 
like mine. They all have leg problems of some kind. I keep thinking your book 
and a sound but slow horse look like a good investment.
 
                                                 Shelly in DE >>

Standardbreds are the best-trained horses in the racing busienss, with the 
smartest trainers--yet all you say is true. Imagine what it's like in TBs, 
and worse, with the Quarterhorses. 

Speed kills. It should come last. In SB racing, it does--in TB and QH racing, 
it's 90days to the first race. But what you've observed the SB racing is 
exactly correct. 2yos racing for million dollar purses. 

When is speed safe? Well after all those big stakes races have been run--and 
well after most of the exceptional horses are crippled and out to pasture.

ti