I think at least they have changed the National course somewhat over the years to make it safer, but I agree that in racing the horse is seen far too much as just money and treated more like you'd treat a racing car.
PeeJay is an ex racehorse and has definitley had some injury. He's rather cold backed and you can sometimes feel him dip his back if he's not warmed up gently. He's definitley had one fall as its on the racing records and his previous vet said he'd had an accident in a horse walker. We also think he was treated quite rough as he's very head shy, though this is getting better. If you raise your hand he thinks he's going to get hit. He's also shy of the crop so unless he's being a right arse I don't always take one out wih me.
However ridden, he's not a typical TB. He can be as ploddy as a slow cob. I'm not going to attempt to jump him anymore as when I came off he definitely saw we were heading for the log and ran out in panic. I expect its either uncomfortable for him or he remembers his racing days (he was raced mainly over jumps).
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PeeJay is an ex racehorse and has definitley had some injury. He's rather cold backed and you can sometimes feel him dip his back if he's not warmed up gently. He's definitley had one fall as its on the racing records and his previous vet said he'd had an accident in a horse walker. We also think he was treated quite rough as he's very head shy, though this is getting better. If you raise your hand he thinks he's going to get hit. He's also shy of the crop so unless he's being a right arse I don't always take one out wih me.
However ridden, he's not a typical TB. He can be as ploddy as a slow cob. I'm not going to attempt to jump him anymore as when I came off he definitely saw we were heading for the log and ran out in panic. I expect its either uncomfortable for him or he remembers his racing days (he was raced mainly over jumps).