to have had a bet on the Grand National when I'm not sure I approve of the risk to the horses?

[grovel]

The Druid's Nephew at 14 to 1. The race will be on the TV here whether I like it or not.

It might mean he can't be ridden again if it's right where the girth would go, in which case he will have a fine old life retired for stud

Oh - not stud, he's a gelding. Just retired then if he can't race. But he will most likely be able to.

Thanks for explaining catgirl, I know absolutely nothing about horses/racing. I am glad it sounds like he will be ok. It looked like a really bad fall.

A month or two of box rest and he should be healed without a problem. He's 11 now and I'd guess he'd miss the start of the next season as he wont be fit, so they could be looking at not running him again before next year when he'll be 12. They may just decide to retire him, he's won almost half a million pounds so owes nobody anything.

It did look horrible :( I'm glad he's not too badly hurt, poor thing.

He never did owe anyone anything. He's a horse.

He never did owe anyone anything. He's a horse

Not a horse. An investment

He should be retired.... if they think anything at all of him they will retire him assuming they don't find more internal injuries at the vets

It's a turn of phrase

Today 18:11 CaveMum

"It's a turn of phrase "

Which gives great insight into the mindset of those who own and race these animals. I.e:
Not a horse. An investment

Which is exactly my point.

I hope they don't find anything worse when they examine him. I hope he recovers well. Is 11 old for a race horse, or a horse generally?

millie yes 11 is getting on for a racehorse. Jumpers usually keep going until they are 11 to 12...some, but not many will be older.

It not old for a horse. They live till around 20 or so generally.

It's not particularly old for a racehorse.

There's a horse on our yard who is 30 and he is still going :) (Though not very far or very quickly)

11 is generally old for a racehorse catgirl

Of course a horse is an investment, as well as being an owner's pride and joy. Balthazar King cost €110,000 as an unraced three year old and it costs on average £14,000 per year to have a racehorse in training. That's one hell of an outlay when you consider 90% of racehorses will never earn what they cost to keep.

millie, 11 is getting towards the end of a racehorse's career. Flat racehorses tend to retire much younger, usually 4 or 5 as they go on to stud for a second career. Jump horses tend not to start racing till they're about 4 and as the majority of males are gelded there are no stud options, so they will keep racing for as long as they enjoy it and are capable.

So if he retired now then he'd potentially have a long retirement ahead to be fussed over? I know they're fussed over while they're racing as well, but it seems a bit mean if a horse has had a bad fall like that to race him again? Do horses often get broken ribs and if so do they race again?
Sorry for all the questions, as I say, I know nothing about horses so am making the most of those of you that know your stuff!

Wow 30 I had no idea they could even live that long!

Youre backing up my point even more cavemum. Thank you.

Well it's towards the top end, but there are plenty of 12 year old still racing.

Dressage the compete for far longer.

He should be fused over in retirement Millie and honestly most (but not all) people in racing do care about horses.

I hope he does get lots of fuss then!

Broken ribs are not common millie but easily treatable with rest and TLC.

You might find this website interesting: www.thehorsecomesfirst.com

Thanks CaveMum, I'll have a look.

My horse is retired now. He is 16, though he is retired due to problems with his tendons rather than his age. (Obviously he never raced - just local eventing and dressage - I'm a pretty rubbish rider and he's a big warmblood, not a thoroughbred)

He now lives happily in a field with his best friend (a sheep)

There are some pictures of him on profile, though he doesn't look like that any more. He's a big woolly, muddy lump now :)

Dad's girl lived til 29. Same lifestyle as your's catgirl- local eventing and dressage.