Horse abuse?

Izvestia · Fri May 09, 2014 1:30 pm

An 8-year-old mare by the name of Tami's Stormtrooper last raced Sept 9/11. She was running in claiming $5000 races, so not exactly a champion racehorse.
Did not do anything for 2012 or 2013... because... she had a foal in 2013.

She is now training at Hastings Park again.

Track Date Course Distance Time Note Rank
Hastings 5/8/2014 Dirt 5F 1:03.00 Handily 9/9
Hastings 5/2/2014 Dirt 5F 1:02.20 Handily 17/24
Hastings 4/26/2014 Dirt 4F 50.40 Handily 28/28
Hastings 4/19/2014 Dirt 4F 50.00 Handily 21/32
Hastings 4/10/2014 Dirt 3F 36.40 Handily 2/8

Has this ever occurred before? I know we've seen stallions come back as racehorses and do ok, but seriously, the horse was running in bottoms, produced a BABY, and is now back training. This seems kind of abusive.

serenassong · Fri May 09, 2014 1:42 pm

Cant quote specific cases- but I think I can remember a few cases like this. A mare that I have followed all the sudden turned up after not running since late 2012- and ran a few days ago. No report of a foal in-between- and she won her last race in 2012. Unless she came out of that with some kind of injury- or something weird happened in the meantime.

It is such a double- edged sword at times. You want to keep tabs on them, worry when you cant find them- and sometimes they turn up- and you suspect it's not a good situation.

Flanders · Fri May 09, 2014 1:59 pm

While it doesn't happen a lot, I have seen mares brought back to the track after having a foal(s). I don't think it is right though. I can't remember the names or when exactly it happened, but the sire, dam and foal were all racing at the same track, I believe an Ohio track but could be wrong, on the same day.

Izvestia · Fri May 09, 2014 2:06 pm

It is my impression that after foaling, a mare's body changes. Racing and race training is hard on their bodies (I know this because I have an OTTB that raced 76 times and he has all sorts of weird nagging issues from his 6 years at the track).
I know mares can go back to riding and competing, but let's be honest...a mare racing in $5000 claiming races, does she really need to go back to the track at age 8 after foaling? Are we that strapped for cash? It will probably cost more to train her than she will make.

Sheepish · Fri May 09, 2014 2:29 pm

One of MDOs did, So Heavenly. But She was just bred a few times and proved infertile, she never had a foal.

Kelly Kip · Fri May 09, 2014 2:52 pm

What's "abusive" about the mare having a job? Maybe she is not able to have another foal, and the owners felt she still may have some talent to run.

Since breaking her maiden, this mare has been owned by her trainer. She, Dierdre Bell, doesn't have the greatest stats, but to me it looks like a lady who owns a few horses, and runs her own. Like, a hobby.

Year Starts Firsts Seconds Thirds Earnings
2013 10 1 1 0 $10,896
2012 26 2 1 3 $22,177
2011 44 2 5 4 $25,633
2010 17 3 7 1 $26,733
2009 15 0 2 0 $4,950
2008 20 0 6 0 $13,251
2007 10 2 0 2 $13,585

Unless you know the WHOLE story, don't be so quick to judge.

Izvestia · Fri May 09, 2014 3:03 pm

I know the owner/trainer from being in that area, so I have a pretty clear picture. Thanks.

Also, I picture a horse like Wake At Noon as a "spokeshorse" for this sort of thing.

bare it all · Sat May 10, 2014 9:43 am

Many female athletes continue to compete after having a baby. Why should a horse be any different? If she is back to her former fitness level, I think it's fine.

Starine · Sun May 11, 2014 1:44 am

I don't know if I'd call if abuse; whether it's lucrative and logical to put her back into training at her age after foaling is another matter entirely.

Insane Crazy · Sun May 11, 2014 12:30 pm

Every horse is different. I trust the owner/trainer to know her animal's limits. Plenty of mares are put into full, world-class training after foaling. While racing is definitely uniquely taxing on a horse's body, no one would be disturbed by the idea of a mare returning to top-level eventing after having a foal, and I would say that is equally, though differently, stressful on an animal.

It certainly is strange with the age, though. I agree with Starine that it likely won't net anyone much money. Could be that the mare was bored out of her skull and loves her job. Hard to tell. Hoping the best for her.

DanLewis · Sun May 11, 2014 5:49 pm

At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself the question is it abuse to ask an animal to do a "Job" in my eyes NO its not any horse is prone to a breakdown or injury even the most sound of runner and no matter how many precautions we make, we will never escape this! With your response in this thread about knowing the parties..... I feel that you may know more then you are letting on, which to me is childish, if you want to make a claim against someone BACK IT UP! Lay the information out there for every one to see, and if you really suspect abuse stop posturing on a online forum and go to local racing authorities etc. DO SOMETHING this is a major issue in any horse industry people seeing things and not STOPPING THEM.. You ask this one question with the example, and I say no its not, its her animal, its her decision, I am sure the foals out of this mare were only going to bring a very minimal amount, 1,000 to 4,500 (JUST SPECULATING) so maybe her running is a business decision if she's sound if she is able to bring in a little cash flow who's business is it of ours what she does with her animals..