Many Thoroughbred racehorses aren’t as tough today as their yesteryear counterparts, at least in the opinion of Bill Moyer, DVM, a professor and department head at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Moyer was one of several speakers during a therapeutic medication seminar for veterinarians at Churchill Downs on Oct. 31. The program, which attracted about 50 people, was one in a continuing series initiated this year by the Kentucky Equine Drug Council.

To build a better racehorse, Moyer suggested that horses be allowed to grow and thrive without being pampered; that the use of hormones and other chemical manipulations be halted; and that genetic disorders not be returned to the gene pool. He said “saleability” has become the driving force in matings.

“Let horses grow up to be horses,” Moyer said. “Don’t re-invent the couch potato.”

For bones to develop, horses need to use them, Moyer said. He suggested that Thoroughbreds experience “little or no useful challenge when they’re being raised for sale purposes,” and therefore are easily injured when or if they make it to the racetrack