The horse thought he was still running the race.

[planetc]

In the interests of keeping the historical record straight, I just want to offer this interview with the Rich Strike's trainer as evidence that the only reason the horse bit the outrider was that he didn't know the race was over. I'm not good enough to post the tape, but this link may work:

So Rich Strike had won the race, but hadn't gotten the memo that there were no horses left for him to outrun. When the pony's rider attempted to reach for Richie's reins, the horse felt that wasn't fair, and bit him. The trainer is very sorry for the man's injuries, but knows the horse was still in "race mode" and is not a vicious horse, just a very determined competitor.

Whoa, look at that! I accidentally posted a like link to the interview!

[nolabear]

1. I'm glad he got to say that.

I know racing is fraught but it’s a real sport and yes, a stallion who’s doing what he’s been created and trained to do is a force to be reckoned with. The outrider was indeed protecting the horse from harm and was probably in pain from some serious bites. There’s no bad guy here unless you insist the whole sport is evil, which I don’t.

And man, that’s a gorgeous race. That jockey was brilliant, as was his mount.

[gibraltar72]

2. The way the Jock turned him at the last instant

wasn't unlike a drafting pass at Daytona..

[nolabear]

3. Indeed!

[Cracklin Charlie]

4. Kick

[Goodheart]

5. Can't stop watching the race.

I wish they would ban the whips, though.

[liberal_mama]

6. This particular outrider has done some amazing things that have saved lives so I'm glad the trainer

spoke up when people were saying he should be fired for hitting Rich Strike.

I owned 4 horses and lived on a horse farm for many years. I've been bitten several times. OMG, it hurts so bad. I couldn't believe the outrider did such a good job while he and his pony were being savaged like that.

These young colts are very full of themselves, which is why most male horses (that aren't valuable race horses) are gelded. At the horse farm, a friend of mine got her shoulder broken by an unruly 2 year old colt. She was lucky that she wasn't hurt worse. We had 2 breeding stallions at the farm and they had to be handled very carefully.

[MuseRider]

7. Like any other living being

horses will bite.

High stress, high excitement and most people would know to be careful around a horse. This person was not thinking or they would never have reached for the reins.

There is never a guarantee that an animal under stress will behave like a perfect pet.