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Just as the starting bell sounded and the race began, Ruffian hit her shoulder extremely hard on the starting gate. She recovered quickly, but was obviously in pain and leaning more heavily on her right foreleg compensating for the pain. The first quarter-mile (402 m) was run in a blazing 22 1/5 seconds, with Ruffian ahead by a nose. Little more than a 1 furlong (201 m) later, Ruffian was in front by half a length when both sesamoid bones in her right foreleg snapped. Vasquez tried to pull her up, but the filly wouldn't stop. She kept on running, pulverizing her sesamoids, ripping the skin of her fetlock as the bones burst through, driving the open wound into the sting sand of the Belmont track, tearing her ligaments, until her hoof was flopping uselessly, bent up like the tip of a ski. She was known for her incredible love of running and unwillingness to lose. She had never before been behind in a race. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruffian_(horse) http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=fsi_ixx4pAY
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoYes. "Breaking down" would be sustaining a fatal or at least career-ending injury during a race. Because of the very fine bone structure in the legs of thoroughbreds and the pounding that their legs take during races and work outs, several racehorses have sustained fractures or breaks in their legs. (including the famous horses Eight Belles, Ruffian, Big Brown)
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How do horses break down cellulose?
Horses break down cellulose by use of enzyme cellulase.
Are Morgan horses good race horses?
They can be good race horses against other Morgans, but not against Thoroughbreds or Quarter horses.
What is the most horses to race in the Kentucky derby?
Twenty horses can race at a time
Horses for courses?
Horses of courses is a jumping term... like the track is what race horses race on, well a course is what jumpers jump on
How many horses die every year from racing?
Honestly, it depends on what the racing level is. If a horse lets say gets first place in one race and its owner doesnt cool him down and needs to be in the next race it will colique and die. I believe usually 1 or 2 die in every race. They may also trip and they might break there legs and when a horse breaks their leg you really should put it down...Hope this helped
Is there a race that only 3 horses race in?
there is no particular race that 3 horses race in. there are more than 3 horses in a race which name is unmentionable figure it out by yourself i am not your mother don't even dare to improve this honest answer i have written i know i am cool
How many horses in a race?
it all depends on the race.
Does Jesse sauder ride race horses?
Iris this is to prove my point."Yes he does ride race horses
What is the name of a group of race horses?
They don't really have a name for a group of race horses as far as I know. Cause generally when racing, they compete against each other. And it's a solo race for the win. So there is no association with the other horses, like for example a team of basketball players. There is no real name for a pack of race horses or a herde of race horses, or horde of race horses..............
What is the most common breed of horse to get injured?
There is no 'one' breed that is more prone to injury. Its what kind of work or sport the horse is doing. Young horses that are asked to do too much too soon is usually where a lot of trouble starts. Young race horses sustain leg injuries. Jumping horses can break down the legs and reining horses have hock problems. The best thing to remember is 'everything in moderation'.
In the late 1970s or early 1980s what two horses had a head to head dual race in which one of the horses broke down and was put to sleep?
Ruffian vs. Foolish Pleasure.
Does a horse have to be put down every single race?
If by "put down" you mean euthanize, No, the majority of races are run with no loss of life to the horse. It is a rare instance that a hose suffers a catastrophic injury resulting in them having to be put down.
