Re: RC: racing arabs

[Dbeverly4@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/18/00 7:47:53 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
guest@endurance.net writes:

<< While may OT t'breds go on to performance careers, it seems many of them 
have soundness issues. Is the same true for racing arabs?  Do they start 
running them as young?  Do they run inot the same problems seen in t'reds 
(bowed tendons, navicular problems etc(I know nothing about arab racing)
  >>

Arabs aren't raced till they're 3 (still pretty young).  I only have the 
experience of observing 2 off the track Arabs and both raced without any 
damage or injury to themselves.  I would think that is a critical element 
when selecting an ex-racehorse for endurance -- were they able to stay sound 
during their racing career?  If so, my experience has been that they make 
excellent distance horses.  They are exposed to tons of stuff while at the 
track and both that I have known personally are very level-headed and 
sensible horses.  There are a couple of issues to work through with them (the 
being passed thing can get ugly), but I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a sound 
ex-race horse for endurance or CTR.  I would recommend x-rays in the 
pre-purchase though.

Sylvia (hoping this doesn't sound mean :)