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RE: FW: [RC] [RC] horses at the track - heidi

This is interesting. Show and race horses bite more because either 1) it is
a bred-in trait that goes along with good show and race performance or at
least doesn't need to be bred out, and/or 2) it has to do with the way they
are trained.

In case 1, we will gradually get a divergence of breeds within breeds --
there will be one sub-breed of, for example, Thoroughbreds: "biting
show/race Thoroughbreds" and one sub-breed of "nice everyday rideable
Thoroughbreds", and because biting winners are bred to biting winners and
biting stable horses are culled, the two sub-breeds will become more
separate.

We already have "sub-breeds" within most of the light riding breeds, with many 
of the intensively-bred show horses being not much fun as general riding mounts.

In case 2, what seems to be being implied is that the traits of character
and temperament that enhance competetiveness in the horse also enhance its
aggressiveness towards humans. Trainers seeking prizes are aware of this and
with their training are purposefully reinforcing the traits of
aggressiveness and violence towards humans to maximize the horse's
competitiveness, and themselves being tough and skilled, figure they can
keep out of the way.

Depends on what one defines as competitiveness.  In many cases, it is a matter 
of "it doesn't matter" so no one pays attention to it as long as the horse can 
do a specialized job.  Also keep in mind that the stressful circumstances of 
living stalled and being subjected to highly specialized training can often 
bring out the worst in a horse (something that really hasn't been mentioned 
yet)--causing problems that would not have necessarily been there, had the 
horse been living in a more "normal" situation.

God help the novices that buy losers off the racetrack and the little girls
who get their mommies to buy them horses to make them win at the show.

Yep, both can be recipes for heartbreak...

Heidi

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