Startling
evidence into the unsoundess of today’s racehorses was revealed at the
International League for the Protection of Horses annual seminar, joint
sponsored by Kbis Insurance.
Ian
Balding, one of the leading flat trainers, who has trained for over thirty
years, produced some incredible statistics taken from his own training
experience. He has found that fewer and fewer two year olds make it to the
racecourse in their first season.
During
the 1970s 90-95% of his two year olds had at least one race. This dropped
sharply in the 1980s to 75-80%, and continued to drop in the 1990s to 65-70%.
“This is a depressing tale, as the only reason for them not running is because
of injury,” said Mr Balding.
He
has looked at possible reasons for this change and believes modern training
systems have to accept some of the blame. “Lads used to ride only two horses
in a morning, so each received an hour and a half’s exercise. Now they ride
out in three or more lots, and each horse rarely goes out for more than one
hour’s exercise.”
Most
trainers, even Martin Pipe, whose horses are fitter than anyone’s, use an
interval training method of two or three sharp canters, up a short all-weather
gallop. The gallops are rarely more than one mile.
Importantly
road work, which is very good for strengthening bones and tendons, has decreased
dramatically, particularly for flat horses. More traffic and less courtesy from
the motorists has not helped.
“We
used to take all the horses up to our summer downs three times a week. This
involved a twenty minute walk up a steep hill, 45 minutes up there for a trot,
warm up canter, and the gallop, followed by a 20 minute walk back. On the other
days they had an easier time, cantering on the gallops near the stable.
“Now
only half our string go up to the downs once or possibly twice a week. This is
not by choice. Mentally and physically they cannot take the work: some drip with
sweat on the way up and others will not eat up that day. I feel this to a large
extent is because breeders have changed to using milers rather than mile an a
half sires horses.
“The
drift away from stamina has meant that we are losing strength, extra bone,
courage and temperament. In addition breeders do not cull unsound fillies as
they used to.”
The
Aga Khan is by far the most successful breeder in Europe. His use of Mill Reef
and Shirley Heights bloodlines was of paramount importance in his best horses in
recent years. Both these stallions were Derby winners and have passed on an
influence of stamina above all else.
Balding
also feels that paradoxically advances in veterinary science and diagnostic
procedures have contributed to the decline of the racehorse. “Corrective
surgery on unsound horses has enabled them to keep racing and unfortunately we
are breeding from some of them, which we should not be,” he says.
Guy
Prest, Kbis director said: “Reduced soundness of our horses is an issue for
the whole of the horse industry. We hope this kind of forum, initiated by the
ILPH means that measures can be taken to improve the situation.”
Each
year the ILPH’s workload increases. It currently raises £4m a year to pay for
its support to the horse industry. The need – and therefore the cost – is
expected to double over the next ten years, which is why it is stepping up its
fund raising efforts, including developing links with commercial sponsors such
as Kbis Insurance.
Roly
Owers, head of fundraising for the ILPH said: “We already have 15 full time
field officers inspecting some 1200 allegations of cruelty a year. We also have
a big campaign, on the transportation of horses to slaughter. These aspects and
more mean that we are delighted that Kbis Insurance is helping us meet the
demand for our work.”
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