Re: Barbaro update


"Robin Nuttall" <robinjn@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:fwyug.38775$FQ1.7134@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sionnach wrote:
In people, the overuse/misuse of steroids has

resulted in muscles being too strong for the bones - resulting in stress
fractures. Also in people, the steroid and anti-inflammatory
combination is
especially bad, steroids make the muscles very strong and
anti-inflammatories mask the pain of minor injuries, and they develop
into
bigger problems when ignored. Long-term steroid use can cause
osteoporosis
(people).

This is strictly my theory, and I could be wrong on any or all of it.
But
maybe Barbaro had stress fracture due to steroids? What do you think?


The most common reason why so many racehorses break down is also the
simplest and most common-sense one: they are PHYSICALLY IMMATURE. Horses
reach full physical maturity between three and five, yet Thoroughbreds
are routinely put on the track at one or two.
Horses whose trainers want them able to work for their entire natural
lives usually don't even put a saddle on them until they're between one
and two, then gradually work them up to full training and work over a
year or more.


However, please note that in Barbaro's case, he was not overused when
young. He was trained by Michael Mattson,

Just a minor correction his name is Michael Matz. I think he's great - he's
an Olympian in show jumping (I think he earned a silver with his horse Rum
IV) and he was a passenger in that Sioux City plane crash and pulled three
kids out of the wreckage. From reading his remarks he really cares about
the horses.

of hunt/grand prix fame, and
his conditioning was considered radically different than most 3 year olds
in that he was very lightly worked. His treatment was also considered a
paragon in the industry.

I would strongly lean toward the accidental clip by Brother Derek. Barbaro
seems to be a sturdy young colt with pretty decent bone and well muscled
without being muscle bound.


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