Tubing of Horse

[Hippo Joe]

Has anyone seen a tubed horse recently? I don’t know if the operation has been banned, but roarers used to be a common sight, and I don’t think I’ve come across one for ten years. Perhaps tubing has ben replaced by a more modern breathing operation?

[obiwankenobi]

I haven’t for years either, however, one ran the other week at Doncaster, can’t remember the name tho.

[Hippo Joe]

Thanks, Obi, that’s interesting to know they are still around. I think at one time tubed horses used to be marked with a small "t" in the Sporting Life form guide. You had to avoid them on windy days because a gust could catch their breath.

(In case anybody wonders what on earth we’re talking about, tubing was a crude but effective way of improving a horse’s breathing by cutting a hole the size of a 50p piece low down on the windpipe, on the high part of the chest. The short tube was inserted and held permanently in place with a seal on the wound. At rest, the horse had a bung in the hole to stop dirt and dust getting in, and the bung was removed during exercise and racing to facilitate air intake in animals with poor breathing.)

[Zarkava]

Mad Max I believe was tubed while racing for Criminal (ironic title, if there are any lawyers reading) Henderson last season.

[Pajo]

There’s a related article (and picture) in January’s Kingsley Klarion. In it Mark Johnston mentions that there are plans to ban the practise.

[Hippo Joe]

Well that answers my question, so thanks very much for posting that, Pajo.

Looks as if there is a move afoot to ban tubing, but it is surely a more humane solution to breathing problems than the other horrors Mark talks about.

I read all the available issues of the Klarion on that page. He certainly has some interesting views.

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