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Originally Posted by migreen
Excellent post.
Lets not forget that there are many careers for a Tbred outside racing . . some involve other forms of competition, and some do not. There are many ways for a loved horse to be useful. It takes some doing to retrain an off-the-track horse, but having said that, its done every day. Remember, 7 is old for a racehorse, but young in every other equine discipline. Even a 10 YO like Evening Attire is just approaching middle age in most equine pursuits.
So . . Lava Man, and horses like him, can retire from the track, and do a lot more than graze all day.
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Red Rum won his third Grand National at 12. And was nearly there for the race at 13, but bowed out at the last minute. In 'chasing, 7 is just the beginning of a horse's career. THe same in eventing. In most breeds, the horse isn't fully mature until 7, although since TBs are bred to mature early, they probably make it by 5, which is why they are still fillies and colts until that age. Like a Larry Bird, a horse can be amazing in high school, spectacualar in college, but becomes great with maturity and experience.