Synthetics VS Dirt & Turf Let the BC Debate and Banter Begin

[martoon]

Sight... one last stupid question of mine if you could about the European riding style

Do you know if the European horses tend to stay sounder, especially in the forelegs? I see that most of the European jockeys sit a lot farther back on the horse than the US jocks tend to who are way up on the withers.  I had one old time trainer here tell me that he thinks that has a lot to do with the injuries and soundness problems here.  That a horse has so much weight already up front in the head,neck and shoulder that when a jockey\'s weight is so far up front there that it causes too much weight and imbalance on the front legs when they are running full speed and planting those front legs.  he thinks much better to have the jock\'s weight more in middle of the horse on it\'s back.  What do you think?  Is this nonsense or is there something to it?  There is such a noticeable difference when you see the Euro riders...

[Dana666]

I hear Hong Kong racing is super!

[sighthound]

If you look at the published breakdown stats, Europe has always been less than the US.  The cause is open.  There\'s alot of variables.

60% of a horses weight is already on his front end.  The jockey has to be in a place where he makes it easiest for the horse to carry him.  There is a biomechanical center of gravity.

Some US riders do seem on the verge of getting their noses broken by the top of their mounts heads during the race, they are so far forward they can whisper directly in the ears.