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Originally Posted by Balletto
I dont really know enough about the politics of AI to comment on it but do you have any idea how expensive it is to board a HEALTHY horse??? So now, you would suggest having owners pay that expense without any financial compensation for at least a year or two (noting that with a mare, you'd have to pay a stud fee and then wait almost another year while gestation was taking place... oh, and boarding fees increase when dealing with a pregnant mare/foal). Now adding insult to injury, literally, if your horse had mounting vet bills, you could add thousands a month to that already building bill.
I understand we all want to see talented horses continue racing until they're either past their prime, proven their mettle, or unfortunately get injured, but its not financially reasonable for MOST owners in the sport. Be a fan, be a vocal fan... but view the issue from every angle possible. You may change your tune slightly.
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I think most everyone who is a deep fan of the sport realizes the economics involved and they do view the issue from every angle possible, so don't try to talk down to all of us. Do you really think breeders and owners are looking at it from every angle? They can breed their beautiful babies all day long, but unless they are developing a reason for people to get excited for and head to the track, eventually they are no longer going to have a sport out there to make money in. Racing has existed for as long as it has because it was truly a sport. You can read all day long about people waxing poetic over horses of the past...but do you ever think anyone will be saying anything more than; "That Smarty Jones COULD HAVE been something great"? The biggest problem is the immediate satisfaction that people seek, but the long term picture for racing isn't looking so good right now.
We've lost the cyclic balance that once existed.