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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

The tack room

Inside Nature's Giants - the Racehorse

20 replies

CaveMum · 19/09/2011 21:35

Tomorrow night's episode of "Inside Nature's Giants" focuses on "the racehorse".

As well as dissecting a racehorse there will be interviews regarding breeding and how the Thoroughbred has been shaped over the last 300-odd years.

There are a few concerns that the programme may, to the lay person, portray the Thoroughbred as a fragile breed and raise welfare concerns, but hopefully the programme will take a balanced look at one of the most beautiful athletes to walk this earth

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Butkin · 19/09/2011 22:28

Thought the presenter came across very well on Channel 4s Morning Line on Saturday and I can't wait for this programme. Must remember to record it as well as watching it. Sounds fascinating.

frostyfingers · 20/09/2011 08:46

I'm not so sure I want to watch it really, but it will be interesting to hear about it!

marge2 · 20/09/2011 12:41

Oh Dear - I expect they will tell us how it died. The poor turtle last week had been hit by a speedboat.

Fascinating, but I am worried it will be a little upsetting if you have had an emotional attachment to a real horse.

SemperUbiSubUbi · 20/09/2011 13:21

It probably died in the middle of a race tack I wont continue my own views on racing but will be watching tonight, I find these programs fascinating.

SemperUbiSubUbi · 20/09/2011 20:06

Yup, broken leg.

CaveMum · 20/09/2011 20:16

Without wanting to get into a pro/anti racing debate, broken limbs can happen anywhere, not just on the racecourse. I've known horses break limbs in their paddock or when simply trotting down the road.

I'm quite impressed that I've managed not to turn over so far, though o did hide behind my hands as they started to peal the skin back at the start of the dissection.

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cedmonds · 20/09/2011 20:24

Our advanced eventer broke his leg in the field. He had evented for 9 years and never hurt himself not even a small cut or bruise. It just shows that anything can happen.

JillySnooper · 20/09/2011 20:29

Is there anything in nature as beautiful and perfect as a thoroughbred?

SemperUbiSubUbi · 20/09/2011 20:30

I do agree anything can happen to any horse at any time.

I knew a horse who got spooked by a bird in his stable, reared up, went over backwards and broke his back and neck.

But I think even the biggest racing fan has to admit that if you have 50 horses in a field, hacked and schooled and then 50 race horses in another field you can guarantee that there will be less in the racehorse field by the end of the year.

CaveMum · 20/09/2011 20:37

Agreed, we are a long way from being perfect.

I've met Katherine Whitwall - she's nuts! We used to have to send placentas to her as she was doing a study on the relationship between the quality of the placenta and the size of the foal.

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CaveMum · 20/09/2011 20:39

My home town

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MitchiestInge · 20/09/2011 20:40

it's so beautiful, I had no idea the insides would be every bit as appealing as the outside - wish had recorded this

I loved the cross section of the cannon bone and laminae, my daughter thinks I'm sick though

JillySnooper · 20/09/2011 20:43

Ah, but to horsey people, everything about a horse is beautiful. It's like your own baby, you don't mind their pooh , their breath, anything. You love it all!

CaveMum · 20/09/2011 20:46

It will be available on 4OD to watch again online.

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MitchiestInge · 20/09/2011 21:03

had a small cry at how big the heart is

am in total awe, how lucky is that pathologist - wish I could be her assistant!

SemperUbiSubUbi · 20/09/2011 21:38

I got a bit emotional at the size of the heart too, I found it somewhat ironic.

I actually had no idea their lungs were quite that big.

Mitchy My Farrier has a few dried out legs in his van, I always find it fascinating and very informative. I ind them a useful tool to help undertsnding of the foot.

MitchiestInge · 20/09/2011 21:59

the main thing have got from that programme is how much we owe to racing, still have mixed feelings about the industry but can't dispute the benefits that flow from it to all other horses

CaveMum · 20/09/2011 22:06

I'm biased of course, but you are right. The research carried out on behalf of racing into so many areas (everything from methods of getting horses fit, injury treatment, reproductive issues, etc) has filtered down to benefit other areas of the horse world.
The racing world is one area where there is enough money to spend on these research projects, though I'd be the first to admit that improvements can always be made and more money spent on research.

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Callisto · 21/09/2011 08:25

Missed the start of it last night - does anyone know if it will be televised again?

CaveMum · 21/09/2011 13:13

I'm not sure if it due to be repeated, but you can watch it again on the 4OD website.

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