U.S. equestrian Boyd Martin overcomes tragedies
By Jon Saraceno, USA TODAY
Updated 7h 20m ago
LONDON – U.S. equestrian rider and first-time Olympian Boyd Martin has toppled off his mount many times. Taking a potentially perilous plunge is an occupational hazard within the sport, where trust between man and horse often comes grudgingly, if at all. Eventually, if the partnership is successful, the two form an impenetrable bond.
Markus Schreiber, AP
U.S. equestrian Boyd Martin reacts after he competes with his horse Otis Barbotiere in the eventing dressage competition Saturday at the London Olympics. Martin, who stands 13th out of 37 competitors, has overcome challenges that put in perspective however he does at the Olympics.
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This is an awesome story that shows the awesome potential of OTTB (Off the Track ThoroughBreds). Here is a horse, that was going to slaughter, rescued from the kill buyer for less than $900.00 and is now estimated to be worth $1,000,000.00, quite a tidy return on that investment! But more than an investment, this horse has become this Olympic riders partner, and Boyd Martin not only saved him once but twice.
Thousands and thousands of former racing Thoroughbreds go to slaughter annually. Perfectly good horses who have done nothing wrong except not being fast enough, or have no desire to run. That should NOT be a death sentence. Thoroughbreds are one of the breeds that are so overbred simply because their breeders have an outlet to "dispose" of their rejects - slaughter.
Thousands and thousands of former racing Thoroughbreds go to slaughter annually. Perfectly good horses who have done nothing wrong except not being fast enough, or have no desire to run. That should NOT be a death sentence. Thoroughbreds are one of the breeds that are so overbred simply because their breeders have an outlet to "dispose" of their rejects - slaughter.
Otis Barbotiere is a great example of the potential that lies in the slaughterhouse lines. Horses with great things to accomplish, far too often cut short because they were not given that second chance. And many other breeds that are overbred (Quarter Horses, Paints, Standardbreds) also wind up in the slaughter lines because their first jobs didn't work out We humans get unemployment when we lose our jobs, our equine counterparts far too often lose their lives.
If you are looking for a Dressage horse, or jumper, or even a trail horse, do not over look OTTB, or any horse being sent to slaughter. You will not only save a life, but you could truly discover a goldmine.
FDEF
