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Eight Belles

Anyone else think that this could have been avoided? And anybody else have opinions on how great that filly did, besides being the only filly in the field, coming in second, and being 17 hands? I just really don't know... I used to like racing as a kid, but now that I've seen this and the other tons of accidents like this happening all over the racing industry, sometimes I thnk that maybe people should wait until a tb is 4, and then try racing them?

Tags: belles, eight

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Permalink Reply by Jenny W. on May 5, 2008 at 8:29pm: so sad! i was rooting for her, and really hoped that she would win...man she tried her heart out; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brooke on May 6, 2008 at 8:51pm: Its super touchy. I agree that horses shouldnt be broken until they are older because of their bodies... but racing isnt going to change that. to start them at 4 is paying twice as much as they already do if not more for the horses to live with them longer. (i dont agree with this but looking at it this way you can definatly tell why they race at 2) also nearly everything they do to those poor horses is awful. some race horses dont even see grass until they are no longer racing, and the way they shoe for racing is not good for their hooves. but it is a great event to watch and I have a horse that previously raced and he has no problems related to racing so some are just fine with it. but what happened to eight belles was just unlucky. that can happen to any horse. it is too bad that there have been so many horrible crashes lately, all we can hope is that this can just get better.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Paul_Hilton93 on May 6, 2008 at 9:13pm: I agree with everyone about waiting for the horses to be atleast 4 when thier bodies are devloped, and I think they might do better on the track too. They're more developed and everything so they would be able to perform better. Its like putting a JV football player straight into the NFL it just doesn't make sense.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Katelyn on May 6, 2008 at 9:21pm: I am not a big fan of horse racing. Most of the horses aren't loved the money they make is loved. They aren't treated properly, they are never good enough. and if they dont do good they mostly get killed. but anyways my heart goes out to everyone who truly loved Eight Belles. I loved her a lot. I cried for so long when I heard. I am still upset over it. and yes, it could have been avoided. like try a new track substance or wait til they are older.; ▶ Reply to This