There needs to be reform in the horse racing industry.  It is time to mandate that thoroughbreds can not begin their racing careers until they are four or five years of age.  Enough is enough with these young horses breaking down or even worse being destroyed all because their bones, muscles and tendons have not been given the proper time to fully develop.  Horse racing is strenuous and stressful enough but to PURPOSELY train and race these animals as two and three year olds is contemptible.  By increasing the age a horse is allowed to race, this would provide all entries with the same advantage.  More importantly, by beginning their racing career one or two years of age later than the current practice, this would surely increase the chances of these horses having the opportunity to pursue a successful racing career rather than sustaining permanent injuries or untimely deaths.

There needs to be reform in the horse racing industry.  It is time to mandate that thoroughbreds can not begin their racing careers until they are four or five years of age.  Enough is enough with these young horses breaking down or even worse being destroyed all because their bones, muscles and tendons have not been given the proper time to fully develop.  Horse racing is strenuous and stressful enough but to PURPOSELY train and race these animals as two and three year olds is contemptible.  By increasing the age a horse is allowed to race, this would provide all entries with the same advantage.  More importantly, by beginning their racing career one or two years of age later than the current practice, this would surely increase the chances of these horses having the opportunity to pursue a successful racing career rather than sustaining permanent injuries or untimely deaths.