Somebody has been letting my animals loose at night!

[dianneS]

So, are they retired racing dogs?

And...this probably sounds like a really stupid question, but...do they ever race each other for fun?

I ask because a lot of folks wouldn't necessarily guess that Thoroughbreds race one another in the paddock all the time, totally of their own volition and just to see who's fastest...just kinda wonder if dogs bred to race have it "in their blood," so to speak, or if it's something they're more or less forced to do?

Yeah, my mare races her mini-friend in the pasture all the time. You can tell she's racing, and seriously trying to win. She looks all proud of herself when she really digs in and passes him on the long stretch. She had a pretty pitiful racing career herself, despite being from Native Dancer bloodlines. But when she beats that mini horse at a race, you can see she's ready to prance into the winner's circle! Its pretty comical.

I'd like to know that about the greyhounds too. And I heard you can never let greyhounds off-leash, that they will just take off and you'll never catch them? Is that true? Do they actually race each other, or are they really just chasing after that lure?

 

[jodief100]

So, are they retired racing dogs?

And...this probably sounds like a really stupid question, but...do they ever race each other for fun?

I ask because a lot of folks wouldn't necessarily guess that Thoroughbreds race one another in the paddock all the time, totally of their own volition and just to see who's fastest...just kinda wonder if dogs bred to race have it "in their blood," so to speak, or if it's something they're more or less forced to do?

They are track rescues. Grace flunked out of racing school and I got her straight off the training farm in KS when she was 18 months. Jo Jo was a champion Class A racer and I got him from Wheeling Downs at the mandatory retirement age of 5.

They do love to chase each other and other dogs around. They will run around with any dog that will race them but they get *real* excited when another greyhound shows up. When we are at the dog park and a greyhound is there they run up to each other and do the obligatory hiney sniffing. Then they look at each other as if to say Lets Go!and take off. They are sprinters, they can only run full out for a few minutes and then they want to sleep all day.

They are downright lazy. They will lie on those beds all day long. When we go outside, they do about 3 laps around the yard and then back to the couch. The hounds tend to run along the edge of the yard in a circular track. My Malamutt then runs back and forth in a line across the center of the track trying to keep up with them.

You cannot get them to run if they don't want to.

 

[jodief100]

I'd like to know that about the greyhounds too. And I heard you can never let greyhounds off-leash, that they will just take off and you'll never catch them? Is that true? Do they actually race each other, or are they really just chasing after that lure?

Yours went up while I was answering CM..

You cannot let greyhounds off leash unless the area is fenced. They are sight hounds and hunt visually. They can see prey over mile away. 90% of the time they wouldnt go anywhere (depends on the dog). The one time they decide to take off and chase whatever it is they see it will be trouble. They tend to fixated on what they are chasing and do not pay attention to their surroundings. So they will run out in front of a car without even thinking. They go up to 43 mph and can get to that speed in *THREE STEPS*. So if they take off, you will not stop them and they could run out in front of a car too fast for the driver to see them until it is too late. They are also not territorial and have a poor sense of smell. They can take off, be a mile from home in two minutes and then have difficulty finding their way home.

Some chase each other, others chase the lure, depends on the individual dogs prey drive. It is funny when I walk them. Even on leashes at a walk they are always battling to get the front position.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

So, are they retired racing dogs?

And...this probably sounds like a really stupid question, but...do they ever race each other for fun?

I ask because a lot of folks wouldn't necessarily guess that Thoroughbreds race one another in the paddock all the time, totally of their own volition and just to see who's fastest...just kinda wonder if dogs bred to race have it "in their blood," so to speak, or if it's something they're more or less forced to do?

I am assuming hers are retired racers. Greys LOVE to race!! Ours loved to run all around the yard whenever they got the chance. Then they'd come in and race each other for the best spot on the couch.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

They will run around with any dog that will race them but they get *real* excited when another greyhound shows up. When we are at the dog park and a greyhound is there they run up to each other and do the obligatory hiney sniffing. Then they look at each other as if to say Lets Go!and take off.

They really seem to know other greyhounds! Ours would get so excited if we were out and we saw another grey. My dog Scooter was raised with the greys, and he used to get so excited if he saw other greys too.

 

[cmjust0]

That's really cool to know!

I love learning stuff...it's why I'm a dork, but I can't help it.

A good friend of mine is a Thoroughbreds trainer. He taught me a lot about the nature of a Thoroughbred, why the jockey uses "a whip" and so forth (apparently it's a crop, not a whip, and it's for steering )..

I asked him once what would happen if they loaded a full field into the gates without jockeys, and sprung it. He said they'd absolutely, positively run a race. No question.

My next thought was...soooo...next time people start onto TB owners, trainers, jockeys, and the horse racing industry in general for being cruel and "making" horses race against one another and so forth, perhaps some podunk racetrack somewhere should schedule a jockeyless race as a publicity stunt.

"Nonono!" he said.. I'm like...why?...would they hurt each other?...what would be the problem?

His answer surprised me..

He said "Because they wouldn't know when to stop!"

WOW!!! I HADN'T EVEN CONSIDERED THAT!!

 

[aggieterpkatie]

My next thought was...soooo...next time people start onto TB owners, trainers, jockeys, and the horse racing industry in general for being cruel and "making" horses race against one another and so forth, perhaps some podunk racetrack somewhere should schedule a jockeyless race as a publicity stunt.

Well, I still dislike how early they start those horses. Horses take several years to full mature, and it's just too much pressure on their still-growing joints. Many of them break down WAY too early, and it's because they were started way too early. But heck, what do I know?

 

[freemotion]

To put it in perspective....a doeling can get pregnant at 4 or 5 months old, maybe earlier...but should she purposely be bred? Why not?

Same thing with racehorses. They are started WAY too young. The reason is that it costs tens of thousands a year to keep a horse in training, so they can save a lot of money by starting them a couple of years before any self-respecting trainer in the performance world, where horses need to last into their teens or more, would ever consider putting someone on their backs. Nevermind sending them off at a full gallop.

When they break down, they are thrown away.

 

[jlbpooh]

That's really cool to know!

I love learning stuff...it's why I'm a dork, but I can't help it.

I have the same "problem"! I spend WAY too much time on the net learning.

 

[savingdogs]

So whatever happened with Ariel's animals? Did anyone come let them out again? This thread seems to be about young animals being used early now......but we are all curious, I'm sure, regarding who and why is someone opening those gates.

We need an update!

I was thinking the other day that one of my gates is so tricky only someone who knows it can do it easily in the dark. That gave me an idea for Ariel....why not devise something like that? My husband likes to use series of hooks and latches and clip rings and you could do that, even put a BELL or something loud on it. That would be easier than locking your gates and having to have a key handy all the time.
Ours is like that because our goats let themselves out and ate the whole baby apple tree orchard in one day........

I do agree those thoroughbreds running at their ultimate top speed at 2 years old with those long, slender legs looks a little hard on those legs.....just common sense. They have obviously been bred to run so they also were bred to enjoy it though. Look how our teenagers love to play football and nurse bad knees into their adult and senior years? Same thing!